There are only a handful of top-tier volleyball teams in the women’s collegiate category, and Louisville is one of them. They started with humble beginnings, but through perseverance, expert coaching, and inviting foreign players to join, the team has been able to improve its reputation to national standards.
Learn more about how Louisville built its fierce volleyball team over the years and more
The History of Louisville Women’s Volleyball
The University of Louisville women's volleyball program began in 1977, just as collegiate volleyball was gaining popularity across the United States. In its early years, the team faced growing pains as they worked to establish themselves in the competitive world of college volleyball. Their first few years were lukewarm compared to some other women’s volleyball programs like Stanford.
Despite these challenges, the team gradually found its footing, beginning to make a name for themselves in regional competitions. In 1981, the team won the regular season 26-18 under coach Scott Luster. His coaching also led the team to two Metro Conference championships in 1982 and 1984 and their first NCAA appearance in 1982. The momentum continued with coach Don Hardin (1988-1995) who guided U of L volleyball into winning every year during his leadership. They even won the Metro Conference from 1990-1995.
Louisville volleyball is a D1 team.
Louisville's volleyball program gained national traction in the 1990s and early 2000s. The arrival of Louisville volleyball coach Leonid Yelin in 1996 marked a turning point; the team never lost more than 12 games a season and had a winning record every year. They even won 10 conference championships in Conference USA and the Big East combined. With the move to the Big East Conference in 2005, the level of competition increased, pushing the Cardinals to elevate their game even further.
In 2010, Anne Kordes, a former Louisville player, took over as head coach and led the team through a transition into the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 2014, even winning the ACC championship one year. This move significantly raised the program’s profile, exposing them to tougher competition and bigger opportunities. Kordes played a key role in continuing to build a competitive culture.
In 2017, Dani Busboom Kelly became head coach, and under her leadership, the program reached new heights. In 2021, Louisville made history by reaching the NCAA Final Four for the first time after a perfect season, finishing the season as national runners-up. Today, the team is ranked 4th according to AVCA and the NCAA.
Key Players in Women’s University of Louisville Volleyball History
Several UL volleyball players have made a significant impact on the Louisville Cardinals women's volleyball program over the years. Here are some of the most influential players who have ever been on the Louisville women’s volleyball roster.
Lola Arslanbekova: Outside Hitter, 2009-2013
Arslanbekova, an outside hitter from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, was a standout player for Louisville in the early 2010s. Known for her powerful hitting and all-around play, she became one of the top players in the Big East Conference, earning multiple Player of the Year honors. She was also named Third Team All-American in 2011.
Melanie McHenry: Outside Hitter, 2016-2019
Melanie McHenry brought versatility and skill to the Louisville lineup, becoming a pivotal player as the Cardinals established themselves as a top-tier program in the ACC. As an outside hitter, she was known for her scoring ability and strong defensive skills, even being named an Honorable Mention All-American in 2018. McHenry helped lead the team to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including a memorable Sweet 16 run in 2019.
Anna Hall (neé Stevenson): Middle Blocker, 2019-2021
After transferring to U of L volleyball from Auburn University in Alabama, Stevenson quickly became one of the most feared players in the ACC due to her blocking and offensive skills.
With her help, the team nearly won the NCAA tournament in 2021, making it to the semifinals. In 2020, she received AVCA Second Team All-American honors, and in 2021 she made it to the First Team.
In 2021, she was also part of the U.S. Collegiate National team.
After graduating, she joined the U.S. national team and was even an alternate for the 2024 games. She also plays for Italy and Türkiye.
Claire Chaussee: Outside Hitter, 2018-2022
Chaussee emerged as a strong outside hitter during her time with the Cardinals, particularly during the 2021 and 2022 seasons when the team reached the Final Four. She has been recognized for her talents with many awards and opportunities, including
- Invitation to the 2021 U.S. National Team Open Program
- 2022 AVCA First Team All-American honoree
- All-Louisville Regional honoree
- AVCA All-East Region Player of the Year
- ACC Player of the Year
The Louisville volleyball roster is sure to include many more big names in the coming years as the program expands on its reputation as one of the best schools for volleyball.
Best Matches in Louisville Cardinals Volleyball History
Louisville has had to build itself up to be in the rank it is today. You can see how much the team has worked and fought to get to where they are when you look at some of their most pivotal matches, proving their dedication and skills.
2012 Big East Championship Match
Louisville faced Marquette in a thrilling Big East Championship match in 2012. The Cardinals came out victorious, clinching the conference title in front of their home crowd. This win was a key moment during the team’s time in the Big East and set the stage for their transition to the competitive ACC.
2019 Sweet 16 Victory Over Texas
One of the biggest upsets in Louisville women’s college volleyball history came in the 2019 NCAA Tournament when the Cardinals defeated the second-seeded Texas Longhorns in the Sweet 16. The match went to five sets, and Louisville displayed incredible resilience to secure the victory. This win marked a turning point for the program, proving their ability to compete with the nation’s best.
2021 Final Four Semifinal Against Wisconsin
The Cardinals’ 2021 season was one for the history books, resulting in a Final Four appearance. Their semifinal match against Wisconsin was a thrilling five-set battle.
Although Louisville narrowly fell to the Badgers, the match was a testament to their skill, determination, and progress as a top-tier program.
The season’s success marked Louisville’s first-ever Final Four appearance and put the program on the national map.
2022 NCAA Tournament Run
In 2022, Louisville made another impressive run in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the national championship match for the first time in program history. They faced Texas in the final, ultimately finishing as the runner-up. Despite the loss, the match was a proud moment for the program and highlighted their ability to consistently compete at the highest level.
Louisville Volleyball Record: How They Rank
Since joining the ACC in 2014, Louisville has become one of the conference’s premier teams. They have earned multiple ACC regular-season titles and have often been ranked in the top 10 of the AVCA Coaches Poll. The team’s ability to compete with other ACC powerhouses like Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech has made the conference one of the most competitive in the country.
While Louisville has yet to secure an NCAA championship title, they are still ranked #4 in the AVCA/NCAA Division I charts for all their other accomplishments.
What the team lacks in NCAA titles it makes up for in conference titles and player accolades. Here are some of the most impressive stats from the Louisville team.
- Conference Titles: 23 (Across Metro, C-USA, Big East, American Athletic, and ACC)
- NCAA Tournament Appearances: 27
- All-American Players (First, Second, and Third Team): 27
- #1 in the ACC by RPI
- #4 in NCAA by AVCA rank
You can watch college volleyball games on ESPN, ESPN+, or Fubo.
Louisville Volleyball Schedule 2024
The regular season for the Louisville women’s volleyball schedule kicked off on August 17th and will end on November 30th. In that time, the team will be competing against other schools in the ACC and participating in the AVCA First Serve Showcase, the Northern Kentucky University Tournament, and the Cardinal Classic.
Fans and players will be rooting for the team to make it to the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament again this year and try for another chance at a conference title!
You can find out more about the Louisville volleyball game today, where to see the games, and where to purchase Louisville volleyball tickets when you go to the Cardinals’ website.
And if you’re a volleyball athlete looking to improve your own game, whether for your performance on a team, to increase your chance of getting an athletic scholarship, or just for fun, you can find the perfect private volleyball coach when you search on Superprof!
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