Hailey Van Lith leads Louisville past Tennessee and onto the Elite Eight

Hailey Van Lith put on a dominant performance, leading No. 1 seed Louisville past No. 4 seed Tennessee, 76-64, on Saturday to punch the Cardinals’ ticket to the Elite Eight.

The star sophomore scored a game-high 23 points while dishing out six assists and pulling down three rebounds. Van Lith was helped by Emily Engstler, who posted 20 points and ten rebounds, with the senior draining all three of her attempted shots from beyond the arc.

Rae Burrell had a stellar game for Tennessee, recording 22 points and six rebounds. The senior’s hot hand, however, wasn’t enough for the Lady Vols, who committed 18 turnovers to the Cardinals’ seven.

Louisville’s solid defense successfully disrupted Tennessee’s rhythm, holding the Lady Vols to 36.4 percent shooting.

Friday’s win advances Louisville to the program’s fourth-straight Elite Eight appearance, where they will take on the winner of No. 3 seed Michigan and No. 10 seed South Dakota.