Cresse Drafted by Indy Ignite as Fifth Pick in the First Round
November 24, 2025 | Women's Volleyball
Cresse will join former teammates Elena Scott and Anna DeBeer on the Ignite Roster
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- University of Louisville middle blocker Cara Cresse was drafted by Indy Ignite in the first round of the Major League Volleyball and was the fifth pick overall.
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Cresse, a redshirt-senior is currently ranked second in the nation in blocks per set with a 3.21 averaged. She is ranked 15th in hitting percentage with a .353. She has been voted the ACC Defensive Player of the Week three times this season and was on the AVCA Player of the Year Watchlist. Last summer, she brought home the gold medal with USA Volleyball at the NORECA Women's U23 Pan American Cup as she helped Team USA sweep Team Canada in the finals.
"The draft could not have gone any better for us," said Indy Ignite head coach Lauren Bertolacci. "We were able to get all the players we wanted and we are sure they will add value both on the court and off the court as they are all high-character human beings."
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In 2024,  the 6-6 middle blocker was one of the best blockers in the country, finishing the season as the  seventh ranked nationally in blocks per set with 1.50. Cresse took home awards as an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention, and AVCA All-South Region Team member, and an All-ACC Second Team member. On the way to the National Championship Finals, she played in 118 sets and recorded 6+ blocks in 18 different matches. She hit .323 on the season with a team leading 177.0 blocks, 192 kills, and three service aces.Â
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In 2023, the Fort Wayne, Ind. native was named AVCA All-East Region, All-Pitt Regional, Second Team All-ACC and was named both an Offensive ACC Player of the Week and a Defensive Player of the Week. She played in 111 sets for the Cardinals and hit .440 on the year, ranking third in kills with 264. She had 17 aces and 389 digs and was second on the team in blocking with 111 to average one per set. She was the third leading scorer with 349 points and her hitting percentage ranked her third in the nation at .440.
Cresse will join former UofL teammates Anna DeBeer and Elena Scott on the Ignite Roster.Â
1. Mimi Colyer (Wisconsin) to Dallas Pulse
2. Ava Martin (Creighton) to Atlanta Vibe
3. Hayden Kubik (Tennessee) to San Diego Mojo
4. Alexis Shelton (Oklahoma( to Grand Rapids RiseÂ
5. Cara Cresse (Louisville) to Indy IgniteÂ
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Cresse, a redshirt-senior is currently ranked second in the nation in blocks per set with a 3.21 averaged. She is ranked 15th in hitting percentage with a .353. She has been voted the ACC Defensive Player of the Week three times this season and was on the AVCA Player of the Year Watchlist. Last summer, she brought home the gold medal with USA Volleyball at the NORECA Women's U23 Pan American Cup as she helped Team USA sweep Team Canada in the finals.
"The draft could not have gone any better for us," said Indy Ignite head coach Lauren Bertolacci. "We were able to get all the players we wanted and we are sure they will add value both on the court and off the court as they are all high-character human beings."
Â
In 2024,  the 6-6 middle blocker was one of the best blockers in the country, finishing the season as the  seventh ranked nationally in blocks per set with 1.50. Cresse took home awards as an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention, and AVCA All-South Region Team member, and an All-ACC Second Team member. On the way to the National Championship Finals, she played in 118 sets and recorded 6+ blocks in 18 different matches. She hit .323 on the season with a team leading 177.0 blocks, 192 kills, and three service aces.Â
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In 2023, the Fort Wayne, Ind. native was named AVCA All-East Region, All-Pitt Regional, Second Team All-ACC and was named both an Offensive ACC Player of the Week and a Defensive Player of the Week. She played in 111 sets for the Cardinals and hit .440 on the year, ranking third in kills with 264. She had 17 aces and 389 digs and was second on the team in blocking with 111 to average one per set. She was the third leading scorer with 349 points and her hitting percentage ranked her third in the nation at .440.
Cresse will join former UofL teammates Anna DeBeer and Elena Scott on the Ignite Roster.Â
1. Mimi Colyer (Wisconsin) to Dallas Pulse
2. Ava Martin (Creighton) to Atlanta Vibe
3. Hayden Kubik (Tennessee) to San Diego Mojo
4. Alexis Shelton (Oklahoma( to Grand Rapids RiseÂ
5. Cara Cresse (Louisville) to Indy IgniteÂ
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