Saturday
15
R&
vs
Red & Black Scrimmage
1:00 p.m. · L&N Federal Credit Union Arena, Louisville, KY
ACC · Est. Cardinals
The Louisville
2026 Season
Follow the Cardinals on their journey to championship glory. Get the latest schedules, roster updates, and game information.
5-1
Record
33
Games
16
Players
Next MatchAway
Louisville
R
Rice
Fri, Sep 11·7:00 p.m.
01Days
17Hours
39Min
42Sec
Looking for dates, times and locations? Jump straight to the full Louisville 2026 slate.
View ScheduleLouisville Volleyball Schedule 2026
August 2026
5 matchesFriday
21
at
#8 Texas A&M
WIN· W 3-1
Saturday
22
at
#6 Wisconsin
LOSS· L 0-3
Friday
28
vs
Indiana
WIN· W 3-0
Monday
31
D
vs
Dayton
WIN· W 3-0
September 2026
11 matchesFriday
4
vs
TCU
WIN· W 3-0
Sunday
6
at
Texas
WIN· W 3-0
Wednesday
9
vs
Missouri
7:00 p.m. · KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, KY
Friday
11
R
at
Rice
7:00 p.m. · Houston, TX
Saturday
12
at
Creighton
2:00 p.m. · Houston, TX
Sunday
13
at
Northern Iowa
1:00 p.m. · Houston, TX
Wednesday
16
at
Western Kentucky
TBA · Bowling Green, KY
Sunday
20
at
Kentucky
3:00 p.m. · Lexington, KY
Friday
25
S
at
Syracuse
6:00 p.m. · Syracuse, NY
Sunday
27
BC
at
Boston College
1:00 p.m. · Chestnut Hill, MA
Wednesday
30
ND
vs
Notre Dame
7:00 p.m. · L&N Federal Credit Union Arena, Louisville, KY
October 2026
8 matchesSaturday
3
ND
at
Notre Dame
TBA · South Bend, Ind.
Thursday
8
vs
California
7:00 p.m. · L&N Federal Credit Union Arena, Louisville, KY
Sunday
11
vs
Stanford
1:00 p.m. · L&N Federal Credit Union Arena, Louisville, KY
Friday
16
D
vs
Duke
7:00 p.m. · L&N Federal Credit Union Arena, Louisville, KY
Sunday
18
vs
North Carolina
1:00 p.m. · L&N Federal Credit Union Arena, Louisville, KY
Friday
23
at
Florida State
6:00 p.m. · Tallahassee, FL
Sunday
25
at
Miami
3:30 p.m. · Coral Gables, FL
Friday
30
C
vs
Clemson
7:00 p.m. · L&N Federal Credit Union Arena, Louisville, KY
November 2026
9 matchesSunday
1
vs
Georgia Tech
12:00 p.m. · KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, KY
Friday
6
V
at
Virginia
7:00 p.m. · Charlottesville, VA
Sunday
8
VT
at
Virginia Tech
1:00 p.m. · Blacksburg, VA
Thursday
12
at
SMU
7:00 p.m. · Dallas, TX
Sunday
15
at
Pittsburgh
8:30 p.m. · Pittsburgh, PA
Friday
20
WF
vs
Wake Forest
7:00 p.m. · L&N Federal Credit Union Arena, Louisville, KY
Sunday
22
NS
vs
NC State
12:00 p.m. · L&N Federal Credit Union Arena, Louisville, KY
Wednesday
25
at
North Carolina
2:00 p.m. · Chapel Hill, NC
Saturday
28
vs
SMU
1:00 p.m. · KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, KY
Louisville Volleyball 2026: Season Outlook & Program Overview
Original analysis of the Louisville Cardinals program, coaching staff, and 2026 outlook.
2026 Season Outlook
Louisville opens the season ranked No. 7 nationally and picked third in the ACC, with four Preseason All-ACC selections - more than any other team in the conference. This is Dan Meske's second season, not a transition year. Meske spent eight years as Louisville's associate head coach before taking over in January 2025 and went 26-7 (16-4 ACC) immediately, earning the No. 2 overall seed and a seventh straight regional semifinal. The identity is defense: Louisville led the nation in total blocks in 2025 and ranked second in blocks per set, holding opponents to .173 hitting, with middles Hannah Sherman and Cara Cresse finishing first and third in the ACC in total blocks. Senior outside hitter Chloe Chicoine and junior setter Nayelis Cabello are both on the AVCA National Player of the Year Watch List. Sophomores Kalyssa Blackshear, the reigning ACC Freshman of the Year, and Payton Petersen both trained with the U.S. U21 National Team over the summer. Eleven letterwinners return, six of them regular starters, joined by the nation's No. 5-ranked signing class. The Cardinals proved the point immediately, beating defending national champion Texas A&M 3-1 in the opener - revenge for the reverse sweep that ended their 2025 season in the Sweet 16.
Program History & Tradition
Louisville has become one of the most consistent programs in the country, reaching its 34th NCAA Tournament in 2025 and its seventh consecutive regional semifinal, the 11th overall. The Cardinals have played in two national championship matches and three national semifinals in recent seasons and have won four ACC titles. The 2025 team went 26-7 and 16-4 in the ACC, entered the postseason as the No. 2 overall seed, led the nation in total blocks with 386.5 and held opponents to .173 hitting, second in the ACC and 18th nationally. Louisville also hosted the 2024 NCAA Final Four at the KFC Yum! Center.
Head Coach Spotlight
Dan Meske is in his second season as the Dan and Maria Durbin Head Volleyball Coach, named on January 31, 2025 as the eighth head coach in program history. He spent eight seasons as Louisville's associate head coach from 2017 to 2024, a stretch that produced two national runner-up finishes, three national semifinals and four ACC championships. In 2022 he became the first man to win AVCA National Assistant Coach of the Year. Before Louisville he was an assistant at Nebraska from 2007 to 2014 and head coach at Augustana from 2015 to 2016, and he played at Ohio State. His first season in charge produced a 26-7 record, the No. 2 overall NCAA seed and a seventh straight regional semifinal.
What to Watch in 2026
Stanford at the L&N Federal Credit Union Arena on October 11 is the biggest home date of the year, bringing the ACC's preseason favorite and national No. 5 to Louisville. The Broadway Block Party against No. 2 Texas at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on September 6 is the marquee non-conference test, and the Battle of the Bluegrass at No. 3 Kentucky on September 20 carries the most local heat on the schedule. Louisville does not host Pittsburgh in 2026, so the November 15 trip to face the five-time straight national semifinalists is the only meeting. The regular season closes November 28 against preseason No. 11 SMU at the KFC Yum! Center, the back half of a home-and-home that runs through Dallas on November 12. In all, 10 opponents ranked in the AVCA preseason top 25 appear across 12 matches.
Louisville Volleyball 2026 Schedule Overview
Last updated: August 23, 2026
The 2026 Louisville volleyball schedule runs 32 matches - 12 non-conference and 20 in the ACC - from the season opener against Texas A&M in Milwaukee on August 21 to the home finale against SMU at the KFC Yum! Center on November 28. Fourteen are at home: eleven at the L&N Federal Credit Union Arena and three at the Yum! Center, which hosts Missouri on September 9, Georgia Tech on November 1 and SMU on November 28. The No. 7 Cardinals open Dan Meske's second season after a 26-7 debut year that produced the No. 2 overall NCAA seed and a seventh straight regional semifinal. The schedule is among the hardest in the country: 10 opponents ranked in the AVCA preseason top 25 across 12 matches, including No. 2 Texas at the Broadway Block Party in Nashville on September 6, No. 3 Kentucky in the Battle of the Bluegrass on September 20, No. 5 Stanford at home on October 11 and No. 4 Pittsburgh on the road on November 15. Louisville also plays three home-and-homes, against Notre Dame, North Carolina and SMU, and travels to Syracuse, Boston College, Notre Dame, Florida State, Miami, Virginia, Virginia Tech, SMU, Pittsburgh and North Carolina in ACC play. Full dates, times, TV assignments and results are below.
Aug 21: No. 7 Louisville def. No. 8 Texas A&M 3-1 (25-20, 25-23, 20-25, 25-21) on ESPN2, Chloe Chicoine named MVP. Aug 22: No. 6 Wisconsin def. Louisville 3-0. The Cardinals are 1-1.
Louisville Volleyball 2026 Photo Gallery
TV & Streaming Information
Every ACC conference match is carried by ACC Network or ACC Network Extra (ACCNX). Selected non-conference dates appear on ESPN2, including the season opener against Texas A&M, and the Jeep AVCA First Serve matches also aired on FOX, part of FOX's 35-match college volleyball slate this season. ACC Network is available on Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Fubo and DirecTV Stream, while ACCNX streams through the ESPN app with a TV provider login. Louisville's national TV schedule is released ahead of the season and individual assignments are typically confirmed about 10 days out; the table above is updated as they are announced.
Top Games to Watch
Stanford at Louisville
Sunday, October 11
Preseason No. 5 and the ACC's preseason favorite, at the L&N Federal Credit Union Arena. The single biggest home date on the schedule.
Louisville vs. Texas
Sunday, September 6
A neutral-floor meeting with preseason No. 2 Texas at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville for the Broadway Block Party. The marquee non-conference test.
Louisville at Kentucky
Sunday, September 20
The Battle of the Bluegrass in Lexington against preseason No. 3 Kentucky. Nothing else on the schedule carries this much local heat.
Louisville at Pittsburgh
Sunday, November 15
Preseason No. 4 Pitt, who have reached five straight national semifinals. Louisville does not host the Panthers in 2026, so this is the only meeting.
SMU at Louisville
Saturday, November 28
The regular-season finale and Senior Day against preseason No. 11 SMU at the KFC Yum! Center, closing a home-and-home that also runs through Dallas on November 12.
Key Players to Know
Chloe Chicoine
Outside Hitter
Senior. AVCA Honorable Mention All-American and First Team All-ACC in her first Louisville season after two years at Purdue. Started all 33 matches with a team-high 413 kills, 340 digs and 10 double-doubles, including a career-high 28 kills in the NCAA second round. MVP of the 2026 opener.
Nayelis Cabello
Setter
Junior. AVCA Honorable Mention All-American and First Team All-ACC. Recorded 1,271 assists, second in the ACC and ninth nationally, at 10.42 per set, and ran a team hitting percentage of .270 that ranked in the top 25 nationally. AVCA Player of the Year Watch List.
Kalyssa Blackshear
Opposite
Sophomore. The 2025 ACC Freshman of the Year, an All-ACC Second Team and All-ACC Freshman Team selection, and a member of the 2026 U.S. Women's U21 National Team.
Hannah Sherman
Middle Blocker
Senior. Finished third in the ACC with 174 total blocks and 1.44 blocks per set on a team that led the nation in total blocks.
Venue Information
Louisville uses two home venues in 2026. The L&N Federal Credit Union Arena, 2100 S Floyd St, Louisville, KY 40208, hosts 11 of the 14 home matches, including Stanford, Notre Dame, Duke, North Carolina and Clemson - the intimate on-campus building where the Cardinals built their home-court reputation. The KFC Yum! Center, 1 Arena Plaza, Louisville, KY 40202, hosts three marquee dates: Missouri on September 9, Georgia Tech on November 1 and SMU on November 28. Louisville hosted the 2024 NCAA Final Four at the Yum! Center. Doors typically open an hour before first serve at both venues.
Season Expectations
Louisville opens at No. 7 nationally and third in the ACC behind Stanford and Pittsburgh, with four Preseason All-ACC selections, more than any other conference program. The floor is a 34th consecutive-era NCAA Tournament appearance and another deep seed; the ceiling is breaking through the regional semifinal, the round that has ended each of the last seven seasons. The identity that makes it plausible is blocking - the Cardinals led the nation in total blocks in 2025 and held opponents to .173 hitting - and the opener against defending national champion Texas A&M suggested the group travels well against elite competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many Final Fours has Louisville volleyball reached?
- Louisville has reached three NCAA Final Fours in the last five seasons (2021, 2022, 2024) and back-to-back NCAA championship matches in 2021 and 2022.
- Who coaches Louisville volleyball in 2026?
- The Louisville program named a new head coach following Dani Busboom Kelly's departure to Nebraska. Visit GoCards.com for the most current coaching staff information.
- Where can I buy Louisville volleyball tickets?
- Tickets are sold through GoCards.com. Pittsburgh and Stanford matches at the Yum! Center typically sell out two weeks in advance.
Related Pages
The Squad · Roster
Louisville Volleyball Roster 2026
Meet the 16 athletes on the Louisville Cardinals volleyball team
| # | Player | Pos | Yr | Ht | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Nayelis Cabello Setter · Junior · 6'0" | Setter | Junior | 6'0" | Clermont, FL |
| — | Hannah Kenny Setter · — · 5'8" | Setter | — | 5'8" | — |
| — | Blair Thiebaud Setter · Freshman · 6'0" | Setter | Freshman | 6'0" | College Station, TX |
| — | Chloe Chicoine Outside Hitter · Senior · 5'10" | Outside Hitter | Senior | 5'10" | Lafayette, IN |
| — | Payton Petersen Outside Hitter · Sophomore · 6'0" | Outside Hitter | Sophomore | 6'0" | — |
| — | Chloe Meester Outside Hitter · — · 6'2" | Outside Hitter | — | 6'2" | — |
| — | Ava Utterback Outside Hitter · — · 5'10" | Outside Hitter | — | 5'10" | — |
| — | Jordyn Gray Outside Hitter · Freshman · 6'2" | Outside Hitter | Freshman | 6'2" | — |
| — | Kalyssa Blackshear Opposite · Sophomore · 6'4" | Opposite | Sophomore | 6'4" | Lomita, CA |
| — | Hannah Sherman Middle Blocker · Senior · 6'3" | Middle Blocker | Senior | 6'3" | — |
| — | Brooke Bultema Middle Blocker · — · 6'3" | Middle Blocker | — | 6'3" | — |
| — | Addison Makun Middle Blocker · — · 6'3" | Middle Blocker | — | 6'3" | — |
| — | Elli Strecker Middle Blocker · Freshman · 6'4" | Middle Blocker | Freshman | 6'4" | — |
| — | Amirra Bailey Middle Blocker · Freshman · — | Middle Blocker | Freshman | — | — |
| — | Kamden Schrand Libero · — · — | Libero | — | — | — |
| — | Elsi Karjanlahti Libero · Freshman · — | Libero | Freshman | — | — |
Fan Guide · FAQ
Louisville Volleyball FAQ 2026
Everything you need to know about Louisville Cardinals volleyball
- 01
Where do the Cardinals play home games?
The Louisville Cardinals play their home volleyball matches at L&N Federal Credit Union Arena and KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky, providing an electric atmosphere for every home match.
- 02
How can I purchase tickets?
Tickets can be purchased through the Louisville Athletics website, at the arena box offices, or through authorized ticket resellers.
- 03
What time do doors open for matches?
Doors typically open 60 minutes before the scheduled match time. We recommend arriving early for the best seating options.
- 04
What conference is Louisville in?
Louisville competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), facing teams like Pittsburgh, Stanford, SMU, and Notre Dame in conference play.
- 05
When does the Louisville Volleyball Schedule 2026 start?
Louisville opens the 2026 volleyball season with the Red & Black Scrimmage on August 15 at L&N Federal Credit Union Arena. The regular season begins at the AVCA First Serve in Milwaukee on August 21 against Texas A&M.
- 06
What is the Red & Black Scrimmage for Louisville volleyball?
The Red & Black Scrimmage is Louisville's annual preseason exhibition, held on August 15, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in L&N Federal Credit Union Arena. It gives fans a first look at the Cardinals before the official 2026 season begins.
- 07
Where is the AVCA First Serve for Louisville in 2026?
Louisville plays at the AVCA First Serve in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at Fiserv Forum. The Cardinals face #8 Texas A&M on August 21 and #6 Wisconsin on August 22 during the showcase event.
- 08
What is the Broadway Block Party match on the Louisville Volleyball Schedule 2026?
The Broadway Block Party is a neutral-site showcase in Nashville, Tennessee at Bridgestone Arena. Louisville faces Texas on September 6, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. in one of the biggest non-conference tests of the season.
- 09
What is the Showdown at the Net for Louisville volleyball?
The Showdown at the Net is a special home event at KFC Yum! Center in Louisville. In 2026, Louisville hosts Missouri on September 9 at 7:00 p.m. in this showcase match.
- 10
Which teams does Louisville play at the Rice Invitational in 2026?
Louisville travels to Houston for the Rice Invitational on September 11-13, 2026. The Cardinals face Rice, Creighton, and Northern Iowa during the three-day tournament.
- 11
When does Louisville play Kentucky in the 2026 volleyball season?
Louisville visits Kentucky in Lexington on September 20, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. This in-state rivalry match is one of the most anticipated dates on the Louisville Volleyball Schedule 2026.
- 12
Who are Louisville's ACC opponents in 2026?
Louisville's 2026 ACC slate includes home and away matches against Notre Dame, plus games against Syracuse, Boston College, California, Stanford, Duke, North Carolina, Florida State, Miami, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Virginia, Virginia Tech, SMU, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest, and NC State.
- 13
When is Louisville's Senior Day in 2026?
Louisville closes the regular season at home against SMU on November 28, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at KFC Yum! Center. This match is the final home date and typically honors the senior class.
- 14
Where can I find the full Louisville Volleyball Schedule 2026?
The complete 2026 Louisville volleyball schedule with every Cardinals match, opponent, date, time and location is listed on this page above. It is updated whenever the athletic department confirms new times, TV assignments or venue changes.
- 15
How can I watch Louisville volleyball games in 2026?
Most 2026 Cardinals matches air on ACC network partners (ESPN, ESPN+, Big Ten Network, ACC Network, SEC Network or FS1 depending on the game). Each row on the schedule above shows the confirmed TV or streaming outlet as soon as it is announced.
- 16
Who are Louisville's biggest 2026 volleyball opponents?
The 2026 Louisville Volleyball Schedule features ACC rivalry matches against Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, and Stanford, plus marquee non-conference tests against Texas A&M, Wisconsin, Texas, Missouri, and Kentucky. See the schedule table for every opponent, date, and location.
Leadership · Staff
Louisville Volleyball Coaches 2026
The leadership behind Louisville Cardinals volleyball success
DM
2 yrsHead Coach
Dan Meske
The Dan and Maria Durbin Head Volleyball Coach, named January 31, 2025 as the eighth head coach in program history. Meske spent eight seasons as Louisville's associate head coach from 2017 to 2024, a stretch that produced two national runner-up finishes, three national semifinals and four ACC titles. He was the 2022 AVCA National Assistant Coach of the Year, the first man to win the award. Previously an assistant at Nebraska and head coach at Augustana, he played at Ohio State and went 26-7 in his first season in charge.
Heritage · Legacy
Louisville Volleyball Program History
The Louisville Cardinals women's volleyball program has risen to become one of the elite programs in the nation. Under head coach Dani Busboom Kelly, Louisville has won multiple ACC Championships and made deep NCAA Tournament runs.
The Cardinals have produced numerous All-Americans and have established themselves as a dominant force in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The program's commitment to excellence has made Louisville a destination for top recruits.
Louisville volleyball has created one of the most passionate fanbases in college volleyball. The program continues to build on its championship tradition with elite recruiting and development.
Where to Watch
Where to Watch Louisville Volleyball
L&N Federal Credit Union Arena
Address: 2100 S Floyd St, Louisville, KY 40208
Capacity: 4,000 fans
L&N Federal Credit Union Arena and KFC Yum! Center have been the home of Louisville volleyball, providing an electric atmosphere for every home match.
TV & Streaming
Networks: ACC Network, ESPN, ESPN2
Streaming: ACC Network Extra, ESPN+
Can't make it to Louisville? Catch every Louisville volleyball match on television or streaming platforms.
Season Storylines
2026 Louisville Volleyball Season
ACC Schedule
Louisville faces the toughest conference in the nation, battling rivals like Pittsburgh, Stanford, SMU, and Notre Dame throughout the ACC season.
Home Games in Louisville
Experience the electric atmosphere at L&N Federal Credit Union Arena where Louisville volleyball draws enthusiastic crowds and creates an unmatched home court advantage.
NCAA Tournament Path
Follow Louisville's journey through the NCAA Tournament as the Cardinals compete for their first national championship and continue their Final Four pursuits.
Go Cardinals
Go Cards!
Join thousands of Cardinal fans supporting Louisville volleyball