By Taylor Webster–
Louisville fell to Santa Clara Friday night, but not without a good fight. Sophomore Jasmine Bennett and freshman Melanie McHenry stepped up big time to help fill the loss of 2015 seniors Erin Faris and Katie George.
U of L (4-2) was right behind Santa Clara in stats, with 49 kills to Santa Clara’s 50 and U of L’s 45 assists to SC’s 48. But being one step behind was not good enough.
“I think the team played well last night, we stuck to our game plan,” Bennett said. “If there was something we need to fix it is managing our errors and coming out strong. We can’t allow teams to get big runs on us in the beginning of the game.”
At one point in the third set, the Cards were down 20-12 and made a comeback closing in to 24-20. However the run SC made early in the set solidified their win. While digging out of these holes was frustrating for players, it also showed their endurance, will to win and defense.
“The game was good for us and the new players to get their nerves out,” Molly Sauer said. “It’s nerve wrecking playing in yum for the first time.”
Sauer had a game high of 21 digs.
Wiley echoed Sauer, “We are still working through some hesitations. We are still getting used to playing in big arenas together.”
Wiley made her first career start in the Yum Center, adding nine digs.
The team goes on to play Stony Brook and Auburn. “We will be sure to come out strong because Auburn will be really good competition for us” Jasmine Bennet said.
Sauer added, “We’re going to execute our game plan today and run our middies as much as we can. Tess Clark and Jasmine Bennett have been scoring every time we feed them the ball.”
Despite the loss, Louisville is on the right track for the rest of the season. Players have stepped up and not allowed the loss of two All-Americans to get their confidence. Expect big things from Louisville volleyball this season.
Photo by Wade Morgen / The Louisville Cardinal
