Cardinals Voted No. 4 in AVCA Preseason Poll
August 06, 2025 | Women's Volleyball
The University of Louisville volleyball team has been voted No. 4 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason poll released today.
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Topping the poll is Nebraska, which is led by former UofL coach Dani Busboom Kelly. The Huskers are followed by 2024 NCAA Champion Penn State at No. 2, ACC rival Pittsburgh at No. 3, Louisville at No. 4, and Texas at No. 5.
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The Cardinals ended 2024 ranked at No. 2 in the final poll of the season. UofL was picked to finish second in the Atlantic Coast Conference Preseason Poll in a vote by coaches. Setter Nayelis Cabello, outside hitter Chloe Chicoine and middle blocker Cara Cresse were named to the All-Preseason team.Â
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The Cards return three starters from last season's team. The 2024 season saw the Cardinals advance to their second national title game appearance in three years while finishing with a final record of 30-6 and an ACC record of 17-3. The Cards took down Pittsburgh, the top overall seed in the NCAA tournament, to earn a spot in the national title game on their home floor at the KFC Yum! Center before falling in four sets to Penn State. Meske helped guide the Cardinals to wins over Chicago State, No. 8 Northern Iowa, No. 4 Purdue, and No. 2 Stanford to make it back to the Final Four for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
At the conclusion of the 2024 season, four Cards were recognized as AVCA All-Americans: Elena Scott (first team), Anna DeBeer (second team), Cara Cresse (honorable mention), and Charitie Luper (honorable mention). Scott was also named ACC Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight year and Nayelis Cabello was tabbed ACC Freshman of the Year. DeBeer, Scott, and Luper were also honored as First Team All-ACC, while Cresse was named Second Team All-ACC and Cabello was recognized on the Freshman All-ACC team. Cresse, DeBeer, Luper, and Scott were also named to the AVCA All-South Region team while Reese Robins was listed as an Honorable Mention
Louisville opens the season on Aug. 29 when it hosts the Cardinal Classic featuring Auburn, Morehead State and St. John's.
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Aug. 6 AVCA/TARAFLEX Division I WVB Preseason Poll
Others receiving votes and listed on two or more ballots:  Tennessee 126; Oregon 124; North Carolina 113; Marquette 94; Western Kentucky 40; Oklahoma 37; Miami (FL) 34; Washington 34; Florida State 33; Houston 26; Hawai'i 20; San Diego 18; Arkansas 10; Rice 10; Arizona 4; Northern Iowa 4
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Topping the poll is Nebraska, which is led by former UofL coach Dani Busboom Kelly. The Huskers are followed by 2024 NCAA Champion Penn State at No. 2, ACC rival Pittsburgh at No. 3, Louisville at No. 4, and Texas at No. 5.
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The Cardinals ended 2024 ranked at No. 2 in the final poll of the season. UofL was picked to finish second in the Atlantic Coast Conference Preseason Poll in a vote by coaches. Setter Nayelis Cabello, outside hitter Chloe Chicoine and middle blocker Cara Cresse were named to the All-Preseason team.Â
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The Cards return three starters from last season's team. The 2024 season saw the Cardinals advance to their second national title game appearance in three years while finishing with a final record of 30-6 and an ACC record of 17-3. The Cards took down Pittsburgh, the top overall seed in the NCAA tournament, to earn a spot in the national title game on their home floor at the KFC Yum! Center before falling in four sets to Penn State. Meske helped guide the Cardinals to wins over Chicago State, No. 8 Northern Iowa, No. 4 Purdue, and No. 2 Stanford to make it back to the Final Four for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
At the conclusion of the 2024 season, four Cards were recognized as AVCA All-Americans: Elena Scott (first team), Anna DeBeer (second team), Cara Cresse (honorable mention), and Charitie Luper (honorable mention). Scott was also named ACC Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight year and Nayelis Cabello was tabbed ACC Freshman of the Year. DeBeer, Scott, and Luper were also honored as First Team All-ACC, while Cresse was named Second Team All-ACC and Cabello was recognized on the Freshman All-ACC team. Cresse, DeBeer, Luper, and Scott were also named to the AVCA All-South Region team while Reese Robins was listed as an Honorable Mention
Louisville opens the season on Aug. 29 when it hosts the Cardinal Classic featuring Auburn, Morehead State and St. John's.
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Aug. 6 AVCA/TARAFLEX Division I WVB Preseason Poll
| Rank | School (First-Place Votes)   | Total Points   | Record  | Previous Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nebraska [40] | 1,490 | 0-0 | NA |
| 2 | Penn State [21] | 1,459 | 0-0 | NA |
| 3 | Pittsburgh | 1,338 | 0-0 | NA |
| 4 | Louisville | 1,240 | 0-0 | NA |
| 5 | Texas | 1,223 | 0-0 | NA |
| 6 | Stanford | 1,200 | 0-0 | NA |
| 7 | Kentucky | 1,181 | 0-0 | NA |
| 8 | Wisconsin | 1,167 | 0-0 | NA |
| 9 | Texas A&M | 844 | 0-0 | NA |
| 10 | SMU | 830 | 0-0 | NA |
| 11 | Minnesota | 811 | 0-0 | NA |
| 12 | Creighton | 778 | 0-0 | NA |
| 13 | Arizona State | 707 | 0-0 | NA |
| 14 | Kansas | 626 | 0-0 | NA |
| 15 | Purdue | 591 | 0-0 | NA |
| 16 | Florida | 570 | 0-0 | NA |
| 17 | Missouri | 541 | 0-0 | NA |
| 18 | UCLA | 456 | 0-0 | NA |
| 19 | BYU | 362 | 0-0 | NA |
| 20 | Baylor | 338 | 0-0 | NA |
| 21 | Southern California | 319 | 0-0 | NA |
| 22 | Georgia Tech | 298 | 0-0 | NA |
| 23 | Utah | 282 | 0-0 | NA |
| 24 | Dayton | 225 | 0-0 | NA |
| 25 | TCU | 182 | 0-0 | NA |
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Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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