Are you a fan of Louisville volleyball? If so, you might wonder what the Cardinals have in store for the 2024 season. Well, you’re in luck because we have all the information you need about Louisville Volleyball Schedule upcoming matches, their opponents, and their chances of winning the ACC title and making it to the NCAA tournament. Read on to find out more!
A Brief Overview of the 2023 Season
Before diving into the Louisville Volleyball 2024 schedule, let’s look at how the Cardinals performed in the 2023 season. Louisville finished with a 23-9 overall record and a 15-5 conference record, placing second in the ACC behind Pittsburgh. They also qualified for the NCAA tournament for the ninth consecutive year but lost in the second round to Texas A&M.
The Cardinals had a balanced and talented roster, led by senior outside hitter Avery Skinner, who was named the ACC Player of the Year and an AVCA All-American. She averaged 4.12 kills per set and hit .301 for the season.
Other key players included junior setter Tori Dilfer, who dished out 10.65 assists per set and earned All-ACC honours; sophomore middle blocker Anna Stevenson, who led the team with 1.28 blocks per set and hit .387; and freshman libero Anna DeBeer, who recorded 4.21 digs per set and was named the ACC Freshman of the Year.
The Cardinals also had a strong coaching staff led by head coach Dani Busboom Kelly, who was in her fifth season at the helm. She was assisted by Dan Meske, Julia Brown, and Katie George.
Louisville Volleyball 2024 Schedule
Now that we have a clear picture of the 2023 season let’s look at the Louisville Volleyball 2024 schedule and see what challenges and opportunities await the Cardinals. Here is the complete list of matches, along with some analysis and predictions:
August 29: vs. Western Kentucky
The Cardinals will open their season with a home match against the Hilltoppers, the reigning Conference USA champions and a perennial NCAA tournament team. This will be a tough test for Louisville.
Western Kentucky has a veteran squad featuring senior outside hitter Lauren Matthews, the C-USA Player of the Year, and an AVCA All-American in 2023. Louisville must rely on their defense and new additions to counter the Hilltoppers’ offense.
Prediction: Louisville wins in four sets.
September 2-4: Cardinal Classic
The Cardinals will host their tournament, the Cardinal Classic, where they will face three opponents: Ohio State, Illinois, and Northern Iowa. This will be an excellent opportunity for Louisville to gain experience and confidence against quality teams from different conferences.
Ohio State and Illinois are Big Ten teams that made the NCAA tournament in 2023, while Northern Iowa is a Missouri Valley team that won 20 matches last season. Louisville must play consistently and intensely to win all three games.
Prediction: Louisville wins all three matches.
September 9-11: Bluegrass Battle
The Cardinals will travel to Lexington, Kentucky, to participate in the Bluegrass Battle, hosted by their in-state rival Kentucky. They will face two other teams: Creighton and Utah. This tournament will be challenging for Louisville, as all three opponents are ranked in the top 25 in the preseason poll.
Kentucky, the defending national champion and the favorite to repeat, boasts a star-studded roster. This lineup includes senior outside hitter Alli Stumler, junior setter Madison Lilley, and sophomore middle blocker Azhani Tealer.
Creighton, the reigning Big East champion, is a consistent NCAA tournament team. Their balanced and experienced lineup features senior outside hitter Jaela Zimmerman, junior setter Keeley Davis, and sophomore libero Ellie Bolton.
Utah, a Pac-12 team that reached the Sweet 16 in 2023, possesses a powerful and dynamic offense. Senior outside hitter Dani Drews, junior opposite Kenzie Koerber, and sophomore setter Saige Ka’aha’aina-Torres lead the charge.
Louisville will have to play their best volleyball to compete with these teams and prove themselves as a national contender.
Prediction: Louisville loses to Kentucky and Utah but beats Creighton.
September 16-18: ACC/Big Ten Challenge
The Cardinals will return to Louisville to host the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, where they will face two more Big Ten teams: Michigan and Michigan State. This will be another chance for Louisville to test themselves against some of the best teams in the country and prepare for the conference season.
Michigan is a top 10 team that reached the Elite Eight in 2023, with a talented and versatile roster that includes senior outside hitter Paige Jones, junior middle blocker May Pertofsky, and sophomore setter Scottee Johnson.
Michigan State is a rebuilding team that missed the NCAA tournament in 2023. Still, it has some promising young players, such as sophomore outside hitter Sarah Franklin, freshman middle blocker Emma Monks, and freshman setter Celia Cullen.
Louisville will have to play with focus and determination to win both matches.
Prediction: Louisville wins both matches.
September 24: at Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish finished fourth in the conference in 2023. They also advanced to the NCAA tournament. The Cardinals will face them on the road to begin their ACC campaign.
Notre Dame has a solid and balanced team led by senior outside hitter Charley Niego, junior middle blocker Lindsey Miller, and sophomore setter Zoe Nunez. Louisville must play with discipline and execution to beat the Fighting Irish on their home court.
Prediction: Louisville wins in four sets.
September 26: at Syracuse
The Cardinals’ next game on the road is against the Orange. The Orange placed sixth in the conference in 2023 and didn’t make it to the NCAA tournament.
Syracuse has a young and inexperienced team, with only one senior on the roster: outside hitter Polina Shemanova, the team’s best player and an All-ACC performer. Louisville will have to play with confidence and aggression to overpower the Orange.
Prediction: Louisville wins in three sets.
October 1: vs. Duke
The Cardinals will return to Louisville to face the Blue Devils, who finished fifth in the conference in 2023 and made the NCAA tournament.
Duke has a veteran and skilled team led by senior outside hitter Payton Schwantz, senior setter Jamie Stivers, and junior libero Mackenzie Cole. Louisville must play with energy and teamwork to beat the Blue Devils.
Prediction: Louisville wins in five sets.
October 3: vs. Wake Forest
The Cardinals will face the Demon Deacons, who finished last in the conference in 2023 and won only one match.
Wake Forest has a struggling and inexperienced team, with no seniors on the roster and only one junior: outside hitter Caroline Kuhn, the team’s leader and most consistent player. Louisville must play with respect and efficiency to beat the Demon Deacons.
Prediction: Louisville wins in three sets.
October 8: at Florida State
The Cardinals will travel to Tallahassee, Florida, to face the Seminoles, who finished third in the conference in 2023 and made the NCAA tournament.
Florida State has a solid and athletic team led by senior outside hitter Jasmyn Martin, junior middle blocker Emma Clothier, and sophomore setter Lily Tessier. Louisville must play with poise and resilience to beat the Seminoles on their home court.
Prediction: Louisville loses in four sets.
October 10: at Miami
The Cardinals will face the Hurricanes, who finished seventh in the conference in 2023 and missed the NCAA tournament.
Miami has a rebuilding and injury-plagued team, with only two seniors on the roster: outside hitter Elizaveta Lukianova, who is the team’s best player and an All-ACC performer, and setter Priscilla Hernandez, who is the team’s captain and most experienced player. Louisville will have to play with consistency and intensity to beat the Hurricanes.
Prediction: Louisville wins in four sets.
October 15: vs. Virginia Tech
The Cardinals will host the Hokies, who finished eighth in the conference in 2023 and missed the NCAA tournament.
Virginia Tech has a young and improving team, led by sophomore outside hitter Kaity Smith, sophomore middle blocker Marisa Cerchio, and freshman setter Brette Anderson. Louisville will have to play with focus and determination to beat the Hokies.
Prediction: Louisville wins in three sets.
October 17: vs. Virginia
The Cardinals will face the Cavaliers, who finished ninth in the conference in 2023 and missed the NCAA tournament. Virginia has a new and unproven team, with a new head coach in Shannon Wells and nine first-year students on the roster.
The team’s most experienced players are junior outside hitter Sarah Billiard and junior setter Megan Wilson. Louisville will have to play with respect and efficiency to beat the Cavaliers.
Prediction: Louisville wins in three sets.
October 22: at North Carolina
The Cardinals will face the Tar Heels, who finished 10th in the conference in 2023 and missed the NCAA tournament. North Carolina has a new and unproven team, with a new head coach in Joe Sagula and eight first-year students on the roster.
The team’s most experienced players are senior outside hitter Parker Austin and junior middle blocker Skylar Wine. Louisville will have to play confidently and aggressively to beat the Tar Heels.
Prediction: Louisville wins in three sets.
October 24: at NC State
The Cardinals will face the Wolfpack, who finished 11th in the conference in 2023 and missed the NCAA tournament.
NC State has a young and improving team, led by sophomore outside hitter Jade Parchment, sophomore middle blocker Erin Bailey, and freshman setter Morgan Carter. Louisville will have to play with poise and resilience to beat the Wolfpack.
Prediction: Louisville wins in four sets.
October 29: vs. Clemson
The Cardinals will host the Tigers, who finished 12th in the conference in 2023 and missed the NCAA tournament.
Clemson has a struggling and inexperienced team, with no seniors on the roster and only two juniors: outside hitter Camryn Hannah and setter Mckenna Slavik. Louisville will have to play with discipline and execution to beat the Tigers.
Prediction: Louisville wins in three sets.
October 31: vs. Georgia Tech
The Cardinals will face the Yellow Jackets, who finished 13th in the conference in 2023 and missed the NCAA tournament. Georgia Tech has a new and unproven team, with a new head coach in Michelle Collier and nine first-year students on the roster.
The team’s most experienced players are junior outside hitter Mariana Brambilla and junior libero Maddie Tippett. Louisville will have to play with energy and teamwork to beat the Yellow Jackets.
Prediction: Louisville wins in three sets.
November 5: at Boston College
The Cardinals will travel to Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, to face the Eagles, who finished 14th in the conference in 2023 and missed the NCAA tournament.
Boston College has a rebuilding and injury-plagued team, with only two seniors on the roster: outside hitter Clare Naughton and setter Jane DeJarld, who both missed most of the 2023 season due to injuries. Louisville will have to play with consistency and intensity to beat the Eagles.
Prediction: Louisville wins in three sets.
November 7: at Pittsburgh
The Cardinals will face the Panthers, who finished first in the conference in 2023 and reached the Final Four in the NCAA tournament.
Pittsburgh is the favourite to win the ACC title again, with a star-studded roster that includes senior outside hitter Kayla Lund, senior middle blocker Chinaza Ndee, and junior setter Lexis Akeo.
Louisville will have to play their best volleyball to compete with the Panthers and avenge their loss in the 2023 ACC championship match.
Prediction: Louisville loses in five sets.
November 12: vs. Florida State
The Cardinals will host the Seminoles for their second meeting of the season. Both teams want to finish second in their conference and get a good seed in the NCAA tournament. This game is crucial for both of them.
Louisville must play with focus and determination to beat the Seminoles and avenge their loss in the first match.
Prediction: Louisville wins in four sets.
November 14: vs. Miami
The Cardinals will host the Hurricanes for their second meeting of the season. This will allow Louisville to secure its spot in the conference standings and improve its resume for the NCAA tournament.
Louisville must play confidently and aggressively to beat the Hurricanes and sweep the season series.
Prediction: Louisville wins in three sets.
November 19: at Wake Forest.
The Cardinals will face the Demon Deacons for their second season meeting. This will allow Louisville to maintain its momentum and prepare for the postseason. Louisville will have to play with respect and efficiency to beat the Demon Deacons and sweep the season series.
Prediction: Louisville wins in three sets.
November 21: at Duke
The Cardinals will face the Blue Devils for their second season meeting. This will be a challenging match for Louisville, as they will face a formidable opponent on their home court. Louisville must play with poise and resilience to beat the Blue Devils and avenge their loss in the first match.
Prediction: Louisville wins in five sets.
Summary of the 2024 Season
Based on the Louisville volleyball schedule analysis and predictions, here is a summary of how the Cardinals will fare in the 2024 season:
- Louisville will finish with a 26-6 overall record and a 17-3 conference record, placing second in the ACC behind Pittsburgh.
- Louisville will qualify for the NCAA tournament for the 10th consecutive year, earning a top 16 seed and hosting the first and second rounds.
- Louisville will advance to the Sweet 16, where they will face a formidable opponent from another conference and possibly end their season.
Conclusion
The 2024 season will be exciting and rewarding for Louisville volleyball, as they will face some of the best teams in the country and prove themselves as a national contender. The Cardinals will have a balanced and talented roster led by returning stars and new additions.
The Cardinals will also have a strong coaching staff, led by head coach Dani Busboom Kelly, who will guide them to success.
If you are a fan of Louisville volleyball, you should attend all of their matches, as they will be thrilling and entertaining.
You can follow Louisville Volleyball Schedule on their official website or watch their ACC Network or ESPN live streams. You can also support them by buying merchandise, attending matches, or donating to their program.
We hope you liked this blog post and learned something new about volleyball in Louisville. Please tell your family and friends about it and leave a comment below if you did. Thanks for reading, and go, Tigers!
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