Volleyball Ranked #1
For the first time in program history, Louisville Volleyball is ranked #1. The most recent AVCA Poll came out with the Cards overtaking Texas for the top spot, and rightfully so.
Louisville went on the road to defeat NC State and North Carolina 3-1 each. The pair of wins extends Louisville's program-setting start to 23-0.
Texas dropped their first match of the year when Baylor upset them Saturday night. The Longhorns and Bears did a back-to-back home-and-home setup, and Texas got the win on Friday.
The Cards earned 59 of the 64 first place votes with Texas earning the remaining five. Coach Dani Busboom Kelly is one of the 64 voters this year and she put the Cards in the top spot on her ballot for the first time this year.
Pittsburgh remained in the #3 spot, so the rematch on Nov. 24 is set to be the highest ACC Volleyball match-up in history, topping the meeting between the Cards and Panthers on Oct. 24. Wisconsin remained at #4, but BYU moved up to #5.
Baylor jumped a few spots to #6. Kentucky, after suffering a defeat last week, fell to #7. Minnesota cracked the Top 10, coming in at #8. Purdue fell a spot to #9 and Ohio State dropped a few spots to #10 to round the Top 10.
Georgia Tech remained at #14 as the only other ACC team in the rankings. Miami and Florida State were in the receiving votes category and are flirting with a number beside their name.
Louisville returns home to LNFCU Arena this Friday as they host Georgia Tech in a rematch from when the Cards swept the Yellow Jackets on Oct. 3.
Hailey Van Lith Rated #18
Louisville Women's Basketball has been known to produce high-caliber players and this year's team is no different. ESPN rated Hailey Van Lith as the #18 player in their Top 25 Players List.
Besides being one of the top rated ESPN players, Van Lith is also on the preseason All-ACC Team and on the Nancy Lieberman Watch List.
ESPN writer Katie Barnes was highly complimentary of Van Lith:
"At just 5-7, Van Lith was among the best rebounders on Louisville's squad last season. Her tenacity and physicality make her stand out on the court. Her 38.3% 3-point shooting led the Cardinals last season, and with the graduation of Dana Evans, look for Van Lith to increase her scoring. Louisville has been a perennial power in the ACC, and if Van Lith has a breakout season, the Cardinals could be serious contenders."
After a strong showing against Union University (Tenn.) in a preseason exhibition, hype for the season opener against #22 Arizona continues to build. Tip-off is slated for 4:30p.m. ET this Friday, and will be aired on ESPNU. The Cards will then have a pair of home games on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.
Happy Tuesday and Go Cards!
Jared
I'd rank Van Lith higher, but I'm obviously slanted in my view. She's the leader on this team and the one I'd go to if you need that big bucket.
ReplyDeleteNick O.