This year’s tournament marks the first time since 2008 that each No. 1 seed advances to the tournament semifinals, and the third consecutive year that Pitt and Louisville will meet in the NCAA Tournament.
The Cardinals lead the series 20-18, but the Panthers have recently acquired the Cardinals’ jersey number and are on a four-game winning streak. Pitt won both games during the regular season, handing Louisville two of their five regular season losses.
Let’s take a look back at each Pitt vs. Louisville NCAA Tournament game.
Dec. 9, 2023 — Regional Final: Pitt, 3, Louisville 2
The Cardinals were one set away from advancing to the semifinals for the third consecutive year, leading 2-0 heading into the third set.
That’s when Pitt rallied, defeating Louisville 65-42 in the final three sets for a come-from-behind victory over the Cardinals and advancing to the semifinals for the third straight year.
Rachel Fairbanks had 48 assists in the win, second most in program history in an NCAA Tournament game. Torrey Stafford had 18 kills and 11 digs for her fourth double-double of the year.
Dec. 15, 2022 — Semifinals: Louisville 3, Pitt 2
Louisville defeated Pitt in a thrilling five-set match to advance to its first-ever national title match, but was ultimately defeated by Texas.
Elena Scott, Pekran Kong and Anna De Beer had a season-high 19 kills, as well as a career-high. Scott set a career high in digs (28) and tied career highs in aces (5) and assists (8).
Kong set a career high in blocks (11) and De Beer set a career high in aces (5).
