Louisville vs. Kentucky Volleyball Rivalry: A Powerhouse Showdown

The Louisville Cardinals and Kentucky Wildcats have one of the fiercest volleyball rivalries in college athletics—an extension of their long-standing sports tension across the state.

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🔴 Louisville Cardinals Highlights

• Final Four Appearances: 2021, 2022, 2024
• National Runner-Up: 2022, 2024
• ACC Dominance: Champions in 2015, 2017, 2020, 2021, and shared title in 2022
• Known for dynamic play under former coach Dani Busboom Kelly and now led by Dan Meske 

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🔵 Kentucky Wildcats Highlights

• Coached by Craig Skinner since 2005
• 2020 National Champions – the first volleyball title in SEC history
• Multiple SEC Titles, including a streak from 2017–2024
• Perennial NCAA Tournament contender

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🔥 Rivalry in Recent Years

• As of 2024, Kentucky leads the all-time series 37–29
• Louisville has won the last four, including two straight road victories in Lexington
• Each match draws national attention and showcases some of the country’s top talent

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📺 2025 Spring Match Milestone

• Friday night’s spring match is the first spring volleyball match ever broadcast on TV, airing live on ESPN+
• The match is completely sold out, further proving this rivalry is a year-round spectacle

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🎯 What to Watch For Friday Night

Kentucky:

• Breaking in a new setter after graduating their 4-year starter
• Rotation includes both a junior and an early-enrolling freshman battling for the role
• Look for one of the top left-side attacking duos in college volleyball

Louisville:

• Expect to see a 5-1 offense run by sophomore setter Nayelis Cabello
• Cara Cresse should be active and effective on the slide attack
• Kamden Schrand is expected to start at libero—we’ll see if she holds down the role for the full match

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Photo Credit: ESPN