Cardinals Start Season Ranked No. 25 in AVCA Poll

August 13, 2019 | Women's Volleyball

Cards will face four nationally ranked opponents as the 2019 slate opens

By: Nancy Worley

The University of Louisville volleyball team has been ranked No. 25 the American Volleyball Coaches Association 2019 Preseason Poll.

UofL will face four opponents that are nationally ranked in Florida (10), Kentucky (7), Pitt (12), and Purdue (17) as well as Florida State and Cincinnati, which are receiving votes.

The Cardinals posted a 22-9 record in the 2018 season and made their 27^th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. UofL is led by returning HM All-American Melanie McHenry as well as starters Emily Scott and Piper Roe, a member of the US Collegiate National Team.

The season should highlight one of the best Cardinal recruiting classes in recent memory. The 2019 UofL volleyball recruiting class was ranked No. 16 in the nation, the highest ranked class in the ACC and the highest ranking Cardinal class since 2006.

The ranking was announced by PrepVolleyball.com, where a panel of college coaches from across the country and representing all three NCAA women's volleyball divisions determines the top list of classes.

Libero Alexa Hendricks, rightside hitter Nena Mbonu, setter Shannon Shields, outside hitter Amber Stivrins, and middle blocker Amaya Tillman have joined the Cardinal roster along with transfers Tori Dilfer and Anna Stevenson as new faces on the bench.

Rk School Votes Record Last Yr.

1	Stanford (62)	1598	34-1	1
2	Nebraska (1)	1451	29-7	2
3	Minnesota	1414	27-4	7
4	Texas	1385	23-5	5
5	Wisconsin	1329	25-7	8
6	Illinois	1258	32-4	3
7	Kentucky	1204	26-5	10
8	Penn State (1)	1182	26-8	6
9	BYU	1111	31-2	4
10	Florida	1028	26-7	11
11	Oregon	934	23-11	9
12	Pittsburgh	827	30-2	14
13	Washington	797	20-13	18
14	USC	664	22-11	21
15	Michigan	645	24-10	12
16	Marquette	596	28-7	15
17	Purdue	571	24-9	17
18	Creighton	457	29-5	13
19	Tennessee	438	26-6	19
20	Baylor	407	20-9	24
21	San Diego	313	18-13	20
22	Washington State	289	23-10	16
23	Cal Poly	213	25-3	22
24	Arizona	157	22-11	25
25	Louisville	120	22-9	RV

Others receiving votes and listed on two or more ballots: Missouri 100; Utah 56; Colorado State 51; UCF 45;
Pepperdine 36; Florida State 33; Hawai'i 13; Northern Iowa 13; TCU 10; UCLA 7; Cincinnati 6; Rice 6;
South Carolina 6; Texas State 6; Loyola Marymount 4; Colorado 3; Kansas 2