Last Thursday was anything but predictable. In a high-stakes NCAA volleyball semifinal, ACC rivals Louisville Cardinals and Pittsburgh Panthers went head-to-head for the third time this season. Pitt had already taken the first two matchups, and a win here would secure a spot in the final. For Louisville, this could be their big break after missing three out of the last four finals. But the game took an unexpected turn when Louisville’s star player, Anna DeBeer, took a tough hit to her right leg and needed help just to get back on her feet.

Cue the big question: who could possibly step up and fill the shoes of the captain and the team’s most dependable player? Enter Payton Petersen, the freshman who was ready to step into the spotlight. Coach Dani Busboom Kelly gave her a look, and Payton nodded, ready to pick up where DeBeer left off. The Cardinals managed to pull off the win, securing their spot in the final, but emotions were running high. There was relief for the victory, but concern for Anna’s injury loomed large.

So what was Payton’s take on this dramatic turn of events? At the press conference after the final, she opened up about replacing someone like DeBeer. She said, “When it hit me like she’s [Anna DeBeer] not gonna come back I wanted to do this for her like she’s meant so much to me and for her to that be her last game. I didn’t want that to happen.” And boy, did Payton deliver in the clutch.

When Anna DeBeer left the court with the help of two staffers from the University of Louisville, the game was warm in its fourth set. The Cardinals had already claimed the previous two, whereas the Panthers still had a hope to come back after acing one set. DeBeer’s exit from the game was bound to fuel their hope to extend their paws in the game. After all, in the third set, DeBeer’s three consecutive kills landed a massive punch in the Panthers’ hope. But Payton kept the opponent at bay. 

In the fourth set, the freshman generated consecutive service aces. Thus, she took just a few minutes to take the scoreline in the third set to 29-27. After the fourth set, Payton Petersen’s personal score stood at two aces, four digs, and two kills. The two aces she claimed on Thursday are the only aces scored by her this season. That may give an idea of her having limited chances to play in the games. But that may also bring up a pertinent question: How could Payton Petersen perform so well in the pressure situation? In the press conference, the youngest daughter of UNI head coach Bobbi Petersen (yes, she has a family link with the volleyball sport) answered. 

In the press conference, Payton thanked her seniors for giving her the needed space to rotate freely. She eventually said, “I’m coming into people that are giving me a lot of joy in the game. So I think we have a lot of fun. It just helps calm everything down and that’s what they were giving me.” She also added, “These amazing people are always on the court cheering me up, giving me confidence. And so the fact that I can lean on other people just makes it so much better.” However, she also had her coach’s support. As Payton’s teammate, Charitie Luper claimed, the coach said, Payton ‘has ice in her veins.’ The KFC Yum! Center saw just that on Thursday. But did Anna DeBeer notice the super sub’s performance? 

Anna DeBeer speaks highly of her substitute’s performance 

After the Thursday game, Dani Bushboom Kelly shared her honest take on Payton Petersen’s meteoric rise. The Cardinals’ coach said, “We didn’t foresee a lot of playing time for her as a freshman.” However, that did not come as a lagging factor.

She further noted, “We knew we needed to use this year to get her ready, and she’s going to be a staple in this program. She’s the type of player we need and develop really well here. She has a high volleyball IQ, somebody who has a lot of confidence in themselves, and exudes leadership. I saw all that in the recruiting process and sold her to join us.” As Anna has a faint chance to enter the final match on Sunday, Payton might become the lifesaver again. But what about DeBeer? Did the captain watch her substitute’s fiery form on the court? 

The senior leader and rock of the team wasn’t about to let a little thing like injury keep her from the action. After briefly leaving the court, Anna DeBeer made her way back to the bench, sporting a boot on her right leg. But that didn’t stop her from being the loudest cheerleader in the house, clapping and rallying her teammates.

When the final whistle blew, Anna was back on the court, celebrating the victory with the squad. But the real highlight came later. After the game, Anna dropped three simple but powerful words on her X: “PAYTON. FREAKIN. PETERSEN.” If that doesn’t scream captain’s approval, we don’t know what does. The question is, will Payton’s performance live up to that praise in the final? We’ll find out on Sunday.