Volleyball Takes Part in Media Day

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- University of Louisville head volleyball coach Dani Busboom Kelly and graduate senior setter Tori Dilfer spoke with the media at the annual Fall Sports Media Day on Tuesday afternoon.

Head Coach Dani Busboom Kelly (Opening statement): We have a ton of energy in the gym. We have a veteran team so we can start out strong and not have to go back and explain everything. We can go fast and with only two weeks before we start that is important. They did an awesome job this summer. They are in great shape. I feel good moving forward that we can progress at a pretty fast pace. That is the beauty of this group. You hope that it pays off in the pre-season. We need to get some big wins in the preseason, so we need to start off and everyone knows the drills and expectations, it makes it a lot easier to progress and get in better shape and everything that comes along with it. Without our leadership, I don't think we would be in this position. Our players did a great job of taking summer seriously and making sure we were ready to go yesterday.

For Dani's complete interview, click https://youtu.be/iwPUmGNH_a0

Graduate Setter Tori Dilfer (Opening statement) "This is the first time since I have gotten here that we had an older team. In the past, we kind of took on the persona of being young or being inexperienced playing at this level and knowing how to compete deep in the tournament. So this preseason has a little different feel. People are still adjusting well to changes. They have done an awesome job and ask a lot of question. I know they will be difference makers as players. They are already good teammates. It is exciting. I like being part of being part of a veteran team."

(About coming back and using extra year) "I still want to be part of this program for another year. I still have some growth to make and I trust I can get so much better with the training I get here. I love this program and being a part of it and I love the people in the program. It is exciting to have an extra year with these people and an extra year on the court."

For Tori's complete interview click here: https://youtu.be/8dxrJNLbCgs

Up Next for the Cardinals
After the Red and Black Scrimmage on Aug. 18 and an exhibition match with Dayton match on Aug. 21, UofL opens the season in Tempe where they will battle Cal Poly, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Arizona on Aug. 27-28. The Cardinals will host the Cardinal Classic, which will feature Missouri, South Dakota and Northern Kentucky Sept. 3-5 in L&N Federal Credit Union Arena.

The Cardinals hit the road for Cincinnati the next weekend where they will face Purdue and/or Xavier before hosting Kentucky Sept. 15 in L&N.

UofL will travel to Nebraska for a Saturday matchup on Sept. 18 in Lincoln, as Coach Dani Busboom Kelly takes her team back to play her alma mater.

The ACC slate begins at home in Louisville when the Cards face Miami and Florida State on Sept. 24 and 26 respectively. UofL hits the road for Clemson (Oct. 1) and Georgia Tech (Oct. 3) before returning to the friendly confines of L&N where they will face Boston College (Oct. 8) and Syracuse (Oct.10). The Cards have two road matches at Virginia Tech (Oct. 15) and Wake Forest (Oct. 17).

UofL will then welcome Virginia (Oct. 22) and Pitt (Oct. 24) both at L&N before a 3-match road trip starting at Duke on Halloween and the NC State (Nov. 5) and UNC (Nov. 7). A quick home match with Georgia Tech (Nov. 12) before heading to long-time rival Notre Dame (Nov. 15) before hosting Duke (Nov. 19). Another long-time rival Pitt is next on the slate with a trip to Steel City on Nov. 24. Louisville will end the regular season by hosting the Irish on Nov. 26 in L&N.

About the Cardinals
In 2020, the Volleyball Cardinals put together a 15-3 record and won the ACC Championship. UofL earned its highest postseason seeding with a No. 11 ranking going into the 48-team NCAA Tournament. A 3-1 win over San Diego gave the Cardinals their sixth overall and second consecutive trip to the Sweet Sixteen. UofL won four of the ACC's five major honors as senior Tori Dilfer was named Setter of the Year, sophomore middle blocker Amaya Tillman was voted Defensive Player of the Year, outside hitter Anna DeBeer was selected Freshman of the Year and Dani Busboom Kelly was named Coach of the Year. The Cardinals will host the Red and Black Scrimmage on Sat., Aug. 21 and then open the season in Tempe, Ariz., with contests against Cal Poly, Texas A&M Corpus Christi and Arizona State. They open their home schedule against Missouri on Friday, Sept. 3.

Tori Dilfer was named ACC Setter of the Year and was named First Team All-ACC. Named to the AVCA East All-Region Team, Dilfer was also chosen as an AVCA Third Team All-American and was selected as a member of the US Collegiate National Team.

University of Louisville Athletics

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