A Day in the Life of a Louisville Cardinal Volleyball Player

The University of Louisville women’s volleyball team is a few weeks into preseason, and while training is in full swing, the first day of classes officially kicked off yesterday. So what does an average day look like for a Cardinal balancing both school and volleyball? Here’s a look behind the scenes.

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9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Classes

Most of the team starts the day in the classroom. From lectures to labs, Cardinals keep a full slate of courses through the late morning and early afternoon. Student always comes before athlete. Between classes, it is common to see players pop into the gym with their “starbs” in hand, saying hey to the coaches and catching up before heading to their next class.

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1:00 PM | Lunch and Reset

After class, players grab lunch and recharge before heading into the volleyball portion of the day.

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1:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Individual Video Sessions

Position group meetings in the volleyball offices give athletes a chance to dive into film. Whether it is breaking down practice clips, studying the pros, analyzing game film, or reviewing upcoming opponents, the best teams are always evaluating their own performance and preparing for what is to come. The Cards are no exception.

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2:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Prep and Rehab

The training room is where players tape, stretch, and work through rehab routines. It is also a mental reset before practice begins.

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2:30 PM | Extra Reps

Early birds head into the gym for bonus touches on the ball. Setters are always among the first in, getting in extra reps to fine-tune their connections before practice. Other players work on serves, footwork, or just getting loose before the official whistle.

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3:00 PM – 3:20 PM | Team Video

The full squad gathers for team film study to highlight growth points and lock in a unified game plan.

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3:30 PM – 6:00 PM | Practice

The heart of the day. High intensity. High energy. High-level volleyball. Every rep matters as the Cardinals push each other to raise the bar.

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6:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Extra Work

Many players stay after practice for focused touches in their specialty. It could mean serve receive, attacking, or additional blocking reps. This says it all: players are always wanting to stay for more. Culture, culture, culture.

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Evening | Life Outside the Gym

Once volleyball is wrapped, players shift gears. Evenings include dinner, study hall, and projects. There is also space for downtime with Netflix, sharing highlights on Instagram, or sending TikToks back and forth before it all begins again tomorrow.

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As Head Coach Dan Meske says, “The best never get bored with the basics.” And for the Cardinals, it is those basics, done daily with consistency and pride, that build championship habits.