The NCAA volleyball season has ended, and Penn State has clinched the championship while leaving Louisville Volleyball disappointed on its own soil. It’s a tough pill to swallow for the Cardinals, especially with a lingering “what if” hanging in the air. Was it possible for Anna DeBeer to change the outcome of the game if she was not injured during the semifinals? Now, post-game emotions are running high, and Louisville’s coach, Dani Busboom Kelly, didn’t shy away from addressing the heartbreak, and let’s just say, it was a tearful reflection.

In a heartfelt moment captured in a recent NCAA Championships video, Coach Dani Busboom Kelly faced the inevitable “what if” question during the post-game press conference. A journalist asked, “Dani, obviously we’ll never know had Anna played if the outcome would have been different, but what does it say about your team that it played this well without her?” Her response carried a mix of pride, emotion, and what-might-have-been vibes.

“Yeah, I agree,” she started, her voice tinged with both admiration and sadness. “I thought our team was really impressive. And I think it’s emotional when you have a player like Anna out, who—you know that, I mean, everybody in this building knows that outcome… it might not be different, but it would have been a different match, and she’s sacrificed a lot.” She paused, reflecting on Anna’s sacrifices, adding, “To see this game taken away from her was really tough.”

But amidst the heartache, she couldn’t help but commend the players who stepped up when it mattered most. “It was an incredible performance by Charitie and Sofia,” she shared, highlighting their clutch contributions. And she wasn’t done: “We had Nay (Nayelis) running a 51 this week for really the first time all year. As a freshman, she really stepped up.” Coach Kelly wrapped it up with glowing admiration for her team’s grit and resilience, calling their effort “really impressive to see.” It was a bittersweet reflection, a reminder of how much heart her squad brought to the court, even in the face of adversity.

During the game, outside hitters Charitie Luper and Sofia Maldonado Diaz truly shined, with Luper delivering an impressive 21 kills on a career-high 59 attacks and Maldonado Diaz hitting a UofL career-high 20 kills on 40 attacks. Maldonado Diaz also contributed on the defensive side by making six digs and five blocks for the Cardinals. At the same time, setter Nayelis Cabello scored the fourth ace of the game and maintained the team’s spirit.

Despite their standout performances, the absence of Anna DeBeer was undeniably felt throughout the NCAA volleyball’s final game. Missing her final collegiate game, the question remains—what happened to her that put Anna DeBeer in this position?

NCAA volleyball sees a star missing out on her final college game!

That’s right! Anna DeBeer missed her final collegiate volleyball game—a high-stakes game like the NCAA volleyball tournament. This past Thursday, she began the charge and eventually defeated the Pittsburgh Panthers. Before exiting in the fourth set, she was already at 16.5 points. It really just proves how much she did because, by leaving the game, the points spoke for her. However, things took a turn during a critical moment. As she and Phekran Kong went for a block in the center of the court, their feet collided.

Anna’s right foot twisted in a way that just didn’t seem right, and, well, down she went—it was agony, pure agony. Seeing her there, lying on the court, her body trembling with emotion, really cast a shadow over the whole place. The support staff from the University of Louisville jumped into action right away, rushing to help her off the court while tears rolled down her cheeks. It was just so heartbreaking to see, especially since it was her last game—a big moment for her. But you know what? Even though she couldn’t keep playing, her spirit remained unbroken.

After her teammates secured the victory, Anna returned to the court—not as a player but as their biggest cheerleader. Decked out in a boot on her right foot, she celebrated with her teammates, proving that while her physical presence was limited, her emotional support remained unwavering.