No. 3 Cardinal Volleyball Announces Signing Class of 2025
November 13, 2024 | Women's Volleyball
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The University of Louisville volleyball team has added four new players for its 2025 roster according to head coach Dani Busboom Kelly. Middle hitter Kalyssa Blackshear, setter Hannah Kenny, middle blocker Addison Makun, and outside hitter Chloe Meester have committed to continuing their athletic careers with the Cardinals.
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Kalyssa Blackshear comes to Louisville from Lomita, California, where she played at Torrance High School under head coach Richell Squire. During her high school career, the 6-5 middle hitter has made multiple Pioneer League first teams, achieved all-conference honors, and been part of a Torrance team that finished state runner-up. Through club play with Surfside and head coach Loriann Perkins, Blackshear made multiple all-tournament teams and reached No. 4 in Prep Dig's California rankings.
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"Kalyssa is a versatile player who excels both as a middle blocker and right-side hitter. She is agile, has a strong presence at the net and will be a valuable addition to our roster. She will help on both our attack and defense," said Busboom Kelly.
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Hannah Kenny joins the Cards from Villa Park, Illinois, playing for Willowbrook High School and head coach Irene Mason. The 5-7 setter achieved all-conference and all-area honors all four years of her high school career, made 2023 all-state teams for Illinois Prep Volleyball and the Champaign News-Gazette, and was named to the 2023 Prep Volleyball All-Region team. She was part of a team that finished third in the state and was a finalist for Prep Volleyball's 2023 Team of the Year. She is also a member of Willowbrook's 1,000 assist club. During her club career with 1st Alliance and head coach Danielle Mikos, Kenny was a 2023 JVA All-American, made Prep Volleyball's 2024 Summer Club All-American third team, and made the 2024 GJNC All-Tournament Team.Â
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"Hannah Kenny brings her exceptional skills as both a setter and libero from the Chicago area," said Busboom Kelly. Â "Hannah is known for her court vision, precision setting, and defensive skill, and has the ability to control the pace of the game. Her versatility will be a tremendous asset as she can both lead the offense and anchor the defense."
Addison Makun is a 6-3 middle blocker from Charlestown, Indiana, where she played at Silver Creek High School under head coach Jeff Zimmerman and with KIVA Volleyball Club here in Louisville. Makun achieved all-conference honors in high school and is a three-time all-state player through KIVA. She also achieved All-American and all-district status through her club play.
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"Addison Makun, who is coming to us from nearby Silver Creek High School, is a force at the net. She is known for her powerful blocking and vertical leap and has been a key player in her high school's success. Her ability to control the middle will add a new dimension to our team's defense and offense," said Busboom Kelly.
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Chloe Meester joins the University of Louisville from Mount Vernon, Iowa, where she played under head coach Maggie Williams at Mount Vernon High School. Meester has been highly decorated during her illustrious high school career. The 6-foot-3-inch outside hitter was named 2023 Player of the Year by both The Gazette and the Wamac Conference, landing on the all-conference first team. Meester was named captain of the all-tournament team during Mount Vernon's state runner-up season in 2023. Through her club play with Adrenaline Volleyball Academy and head coach Marty Smith, Meester is a two-time MVP, two-time national champion, and a third-place national finisher. She led Mount Vernon to the 2024 3A State Championship and was named to the all-tournament team.
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"Chloe Meester is a powerful outside hitter with the ability to score from anywhere on the court," said Busboom Kelly. She was a standout at Mount Vernon High School and her hitting power and ability to read the game will bring added firepower to our offense. Her leadership and competitive spirit make her a key recruit in this class," said Busboom Kelly.
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Kalyssa Blackshear comes to Louisville from Lomita, California, where she played at Torrance High School under head coach Richell Squire. During her high school career, the 6-5 middle hitter has made multiple Pioneer League first teams, achieved all-conference honors, and been part of a Torrance team that finished state runner-up. Through club play with Surfside and head coach Loriann Perkins, Blackshear made multiple all-tournament teams and reached No. 4 in Prep Dig's California rankings.
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"Kalyssa is a versatile player who excels both as a middle blocker and right-side hitter. She is agile, has a strong presence at the net and will be a valuable addition to our roster. She will help on both our attack and defense," said Busboom Kelly.
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Hannah Kenny joins the Cards from Villa Park, Illinois, playing for Willowbrook High School and head coach Irene Mason. The 5-7 setter achieved all-conference and all-area honors all four years of her high school career, made 2023 all-state teams for Illinois Prep Volleyball and the Champaign News-Gazette, and was named to the 2023 Prep Volleyball All-Region team. She was part of a team that finished third in the state and was a finalist for Prep Volleyball's 2023 Team of the Year. She is also a member of Willowbrook's 1,000 assist club. During her club career with 1st Alliance and head coach Danielle Mikos, Kenny was a 2023 JVA All-American, made Prep Volleyball's 2024 Summer Club All-American third team, and made the 2024 GJNC All-Tournament Team.Â
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"Hannah Kenny brings her exceptional skills as both a setter and libero from the Chicago area," said Busboom Kelly. Â "Hannah is known for her court vision, precision setting, and defensive skill, and has the ability to control the pace of the game. Her versatility will be a tremendous asset as she can both lead the offense and anchor the defense."
Addison Makun is a 6-3 middle blocker from Charlestown, Indiana, where she played at Silver Creek High School under head coach Jeff Zimmerman and with KIVA Volleyball Club here in Louisville. Makun achieved all-conference honors in high school and is a three-time all-state player through KIVA. She also achieved All-American and all-district status through her club play.
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"Addison Makun, who is coming to us from nearby Silver Creek High School, is a force at the net. She is known for her powerful blocking and vertical leap and has been a key player in her high school's success. Her ability to control the middle will add a new dimension to our team's defense and offense," said Busboom Kelly.
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Chloe Meester joins the University of Louisville from Mount Vernon, Iowa, where she played under head coach Maggie Williams at Mount Vernon High School. Meester has been highly decorated during her illustrious high school career. The 6-foot-3-inch outside hitter was named 2023 Player of the Year by both The Gazette and the Wamac Conference, landing on the all-conference first team. Meester was named captain of the all-tournament team during Mount Vernon's state runner-up season in 2023. Through her club play with Adrenaline Volleyball Academy and head coach Marty Smith, Meester is a two-time MVP, two-time national champion, and a third-place national finisher. She led Mount Vernon to the 2024 3A State Championship and was named to the all-tournament team.
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"Chloe Meester is a powerful outside hitter with the ability to score from anywhere on the court," said Busboom Kelly. She was a standout at Mount Vernon High School and her hitting power and ability to read the game will bring added firepower to our offense. Her leadership and competitive spirit make her a key recruit in this class," said Busboom Kelly.
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