Louisville’s Anna DeBeer will not start

DeBeer left Thursday’s national semifinal match at the start of the fourth set with an ankle injury. The Louisville Regional’s Most Outstanding Player had 14 kills and three blocks against Pitt before leaving. She returned to the court minutes later, hopping around and jogging near the bench, but did not re-enter the game.

Freshman Payton Petersen, announced as the starter Sunday, stepped in Thursday for DeBeer, logging two consecutive aces and a pair of kills to secure U of L’s national championship berth. DeBeer did not participate in Louisville’s practice Friday, but was present using a mobility scooter, ESPN reported Sunday. Coach Dani Busboom Kelly told reporters that DeBeer was “day to day.”

“We’re going to do everything we can to get her on the field,” added Busboom Kelly. “But we have a great team behind her. If she can’t go, we have some options… The extra day of rest gives us hope. I think if we played tomorrow, there would be no hope.”