Pitt vs. Louisville volleyball live score, updates, highlights from 2024 NCAA women’s semifinals

By | December 19, 2024
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It’s an ACC showdown in the NCAA volleyball tournament semifinals. Pitt will face Louisville on Thursday with a spot in the championship on the line.

The Panthers — the ACC regular season champions — are the favorites, earning the No. 1 overall seed after a nearly perfect season. But they’ve never made it to the championship. Is their fourth Final Four the charm?

Meanwhile, the Cardinals are playing for their second national title appearance in three seasons, and there’s no better time to make history than in their hometown. They flew through the first four rounds of the tournament, getting better with each play, but the semifinals will be an uphill battle.

In their two meetings this season, Pitt got the upper hand over Louisville both times, first in a five-set thriller, then in a four-set victory on the road. There’s no doubt the Card will enter this rivalry matchup with a chip on their shoulder.

It’s a battle of Olivia Babcock and Rachel Fairbanks against Anna DeBeer and Elena Scott. The winner survives another day and will compete for the program’s first national title.

The Sporting News is tracking live updates in the NCAA volleyball tournament semifinal game between Pitt and Louisville.

MORE: Watch the NCAA volleyball tournament semifinals live with Fubo (free trial)

Pitt vs. Louisville score

  Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 Final
Pitt 25 23 27 – – 1
Louisville 21 25 29 – – 2

Pitt vs. Louisville live updates, results, highlights from NCAA volleyball semifinals game

All times Eastern.

8:35 p.m. – DeBeer is helped off the floor after going down with an injury. The fifth-year senior, who leads the Cards with 14 kills, landed on her teammate’s foot, twisting her ankle. 

End of set three: (2) Louisville 29, (1) Pitt 27

8:28 p.m. – Cardiac Cards get the set! The block goes out on Vazquez Gomez, giving Louisville the point. The Cards battle back to win set three 29-27 and go up 2-1 in the match.

8:28 p.m. – Ace! Kamden Schrand gives Louisville it’s first set point of the set.

8:26 – This time, Babcock shuts down DeBeer on the solo block. Pitt leads 26-25 for its third set point.

8:23 p.m. – It’s 23 all! DeBeer shuts Babcock down with the block to tie the set up on a 4-0 run.

8:18 p.m. – No words. Babcock is up to 26 kills. Panthers are closing in to the set, leading 23-19.

8:13 – No setter? No problem. With Fairbanks subbed out for a bigger blocker, Stafford steps in and sets the bic for Babcock. Pitt leads 20-17.

8:08 p.m. – Stafford goes down on the landing, tweaking her left ankle, but the Panther gets up and continues for Pitt. The sophomore outside has been crucial for her squad with 10 kills.

8:01 p.m. – Five straight! Luper records her ninth kill to keep the momentum going for Louisville, who leads 12-10. Timeout, Pitt.

7:55 p.m. – Straight down! Cresse gets the solo stuff on Stafford. Louisville still trails 3-6.

7:52 p.m. – Valeria Vazquez Gomez with the ace! Panthers out to a quick 3-1 lead.

7:45 p.m. – While it’s even at 1-1, there’s no denying Babcock’s impact. The opposite is on her way to a historic showing with 17 kills through two sets. And we’ve only just begun.

End of set two: (1) Louisville 25, (1) Pitt 23

7:44 p.m. – Luper terminates to grab set two for the Cardinals! Louisville ties it up at a set a piece with a 25-23 victory.

7:38 p.m. – It’s crunch time. Pitt scores three to lead 22-21.

7:27 p.m. – A 5-0 run for Louisville forces a timeout from the Panthers! The Cardinals have all the momentum, leading 13-11.

7:25 p.m. – Tied up! Cresse’s second consecutive block brings it to 11 all!

7:23 p.m. – Cara Cresse on the slide! Louisville has battled back within two, trailing 8-10.

7:17 p.m. – It’s a quick start for the Panthers. A three-point run puts them up 7-2 early in the second and forces a Card timeout.

End of set one: (1) Pitt 25, (0) Louisville 21

7:09 p.m. – Who else to finish off the set than Babcock? The Panther puts away her eighth kill of the match to give Pitt the first set one 25-21.

7:05 p.m. – Elena Scott is showing why she’s an AVCA First-Team All-American. The Cards stave off set point by Pitt thanks to numerous digs and even a pancake by the libero. Louisville is back in it, trailing 20-24. Timeout, Panthers.

7:00 p.m. – It’s the Olivia Babcock show! The sophomore slices it for her seventh kill. Pitt now leads 22-16, timeout Louisville.

5:58 p.m. – A run by the Panthers makes it a 20-16 lead for Pitt. Timeout, Cards.

6:52 p.m. – Pitt is the first to 15, leading by one. Stafford leads the Panthers with six kills while Charitie Luper has a team-high four for Louisville.

6:51 p.m. – Anna. DeBeer. The Louisville native ties it at 14 after two consecutive kills, the first a sharp angle inside the 10-foot line and the second a tool off the block.

6:42 p.m. – Slicing it cross court, Torrey Stafford ties it up at 5!

6:37 p.m. – What a rally to kick things off in Louisville. Olivia Babcock takes a swing from the back row, but it goes long. Point, Louisville!

6:35 p.m. – It all comes down to defense. The Cardinals lead the nation in blocks per set, but the Panthers have held opponents to the lowest hitting percentage in the nation. 

6:33 p.m. – Conference rivals, both playing for their first national championship. The first semifinal between Pitt and Louisville begins now.

6:10 p.m. – Photoshoot…pose.

5:55 p.m. – There’s no place like home. After losing to Pitt twice this season, Louisville is going for the upset in the most important match of the season. The Cardinals are looking for just their second championship appearance.

5:32 p.m. – The Panthers have arrived.

Pitt vs. Louisville start time

  • Date: Thursday, Dec. 19
  • Time: 6:30 p.m. ET

Pitt and Louisville will play in the NCAA volleyball tournament semifinals on Thursday, Dec. 19. First serve will be at 6:30 p.m. ET from KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

What channel is Pitt vs. Louisville on today?

  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Live stream: Fubo

Pitt vs. Louisville volleyball will be broadcast on ESPN. Cord-cutters can livestream the match on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.

For a limited time, you can get your first month of Fubo for as low as $49.99, a $30 savings. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 200+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

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