Volleyball Sends Three to the Professional Ranks
January 29, 2013 | Women's Volleyball
Jan. 29, 2013
Three University of Louisville volleyball seniors, Lola Arslanbekova, Kaitlynn James and Gwen Rucker have joined the professional volleyball ranks and are currently playing overseas. All three completed their eligibility and graduated in December.
Lola Arslanbekova is playing in Puerto Rico for the Leonas de Ponce team. Arslanbekova, a 2012 Second team AVCA All-American and Volleyball Magazine All-American was the BIG EAST Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and led the Cardinals to BIG EAST regular season and BIG EAST tournament titles.
Kaitlynn James is playing for Sollentuna Volleyboll Klubb in Sollentuna, Sweden. James, who transferred in to Louisville from Nebraska, was a two-year starter for the Cardinals, overcoming injuries she suffered as a Husker, to become one of the Cardinals' steadiest performers.
Gwen Rucker is playing on Azeryol Baku in Azerbijan. Rucker, an AVCA All-American and an All-BIG EAST First Team selection, led the BIG EAST in hitting percentage (.405) and blocks (1.33 per set). She ranked eighth nationally in hitting percentage with 282 totals kills on 555 attempts. The senior was named Most Outstanding Player of the BIG EAST Championship and set a league record in a 3-0 win against St. John's with an .867 hitting percentage. She was named an AVCA All-America Third Team selection for the first time and earned honorable mention in 2010.
