Early Takeaways from Louisville Volleyball’s First Days of Practice

The Louisville Cardinals are back in the gym, and after just two days of practice, a few things are already crystal clear: the freshmen are the real deal, the veterans look sharp, and this roster is loaded with competitive depth.

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Here are some early observations as preseason training ramps up:

Freshman Firepower

Let’s start with the obvious. This freshman class is scary good.

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Kalyssa Blackshear wasted no time making her presence known. The 6’5" right side is touching 10'9" and looks every bit the dominant force fans were hoping for. Right behind her is fellow middle Addison Makun, who touched 10'7.5", and outside hitter Chloe Meester, who came in at an impressive 10'4.5". All three showed off serious bounce and polish in early drills.

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But don’t overlook Hannah Kenny. While her name may not pop as loud on the vertical charts, her all-around skill set was on full display. She’s smooth in serve receive, crisp in her touches, and already looks like she belongs. Highly skilled, highly composed.

Veteran Presence

One of the biggest surprises so far is Molly Wilson.

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The grad transfer setter looked comfortable and composed, running the offense with precision. Her ball placement was clean, tempo was steady, and she’s clearly blending into the system quickly. With Nayelis Cabello also returning, the Cards are stacked with setting depth and we may just see both take the court.

Serving Focus

There’s been a heavy emphasis on serving in the opening days, especially targeting the sidelines and mixing in short serves. Expect Louisville to bring tactical pressure from the service line all season long.

Position Battles to Watch

While many spots are locked in, several key roles are up for grabs and the competition is heating up fast:

• M2 (Middle Blocker #2): The battle here will be fierce with Makun pushing hard for minutes behind returners.
• Opposite (Right Side): Big shoes to fill, and multiple players in the mix.
• Outside Hitter: Meester adds a wrinkle to an already talented group.
• Defensive Specialist/Back Row for RS: A lot of options, and a role that could rotate early in the season.

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Also keep an eye on a situational 6-2 offensive system. The coaching staff is clearly exploring options, and with this much talent, it makes sense to stay flexible.

This team has depth, talent, and a whole lot of upside. And if the first few days are any indication, the 2025 season is going to be a must-watch.