*screenshot of ABC broadcast
Three days after being subbed into a national semifinal match, Louisville Volleyball freshman and Dike-New Hartford alum Payton Petersen got the start in Sunday’s national championship match, filling in for injured teammate Anna DeBeer. The Cardinals fell 3-1 to Penn State inside KFC Yum! Center in Louisville in front of an NCAA Championship record crowd of 21,860 fans.
The outside hitter recorded four kills on even hitting with three service aces, two blocks and 10 digs. It was Petersen’s second career start, and first postseason start. It was the fifth straight season that Petersen ended her season in a championship match, dating to her freshman year of high school.
Louisville finished 30-6 with their second national runner-up finish.
