Volleyball Bursts Into Top Ten in CSTV/AVCA Ranking
September 12, 2005 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 12, 2005
The University of Louisville volleyball team vaulted into the Top Ten in the CSTV/AVCA Ranking this week, with a move into the No. 9 slot. It is the highest ranking in school history for the 6-0 Cardinal squad.
Decisive wins over Kentucky, Illinois and No. 22 Long Beach, all three-game sweeps, helped push the Cardinals into their lofty status.
"Being in the Top Ten has always been a goal for our team," said U of L coach Leonid Yelin. "But just getting there is not as important as staying there as the season moves on. Anytime you are ranked, you have to assume that your opponents will play their hardest against you because they have so much to gain. We have to withstand the emotional push that the opponents bring to stay poised and play our game."
This weekend, U of L heads down south to Miami for the Green and Orange Challenge where the Cardinals will play Michigan State, Sacramento State and Miami. U of L had a successful week last week, facing a greatly improved archrival Kentucky on Wednesday. going three spirited games before sweeping the Cats 30-18, 30-26, 35-33. U of L beat Illinois 3-0 and then No. 22 ranked Long Beach State 3-0.
The 6-0 start means U of L is off to the best start since 1990 when the Cardinals got off to a 6-0 start under former coach Don Hardin. Leonid Yelin's best start for seasons prior to this was 5-0 in 2002 and 2004. The Cardinals have swept every match this season and remain unbeaten in Cardinal Arena in the last 20 matches.
1.) Nebraska2.) Washington3.) Stanford4.) Penn State5.) Minnesota6.) Hawai'i7.) Florida8.) NotreDame9.) Louisville10.) Missouri11.) UCLA12.) USC13.) Wisconsimn14.) Ohio State15.) Texas A&M16.) Tennessee17.) Santa Clara18.T) Texas18.T) San Diego20.) Arizona21.) California22.) Kansas State23.) Saint Mary's24.) UC Santa Barbara25.) Long Beach State
