Toward the end of our most recent podcast, we reflected on ways to take a break from today’s political, social and economic turmoil. One source of enjoyment: the University of Louisville’s volleyball team.

The chart above is from the Facebook group Supervolley.org, and here’s what it says about its No. 3 and No. 4 ranked teams:

• 𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗜𝗦𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘 — It’s not just that they swept Texas. It’s 𝗛𝗢𝗪 they are playing. Excellent first pass, tremendous speed through Nayelis Cabello and high volleyball IQ all over the court. Dan Meske is building something very real in Louisville.

• 𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗬 — Nothing has really changed. We simply came away more impressed by Louisville this week.

I’m a big Louisville volleyball fan, but the reality is Dani Busboom Kelley built “something very real in Louisville” while Dan Meske was her assistant coach.

Just look at this background info:

A Husker national champion player and assistant coach, Busboom Kelly spent 2017-24 building Louisville into a national power. The Cardinals reached two NCAA Championship matches, three NCAA Semifinals, five NCAA Regional Finals and won four ACC titles. 

Busboom Kelly compiled a 203-44 (.822) record in her eight seasons at Louisville, including a 120-15 (.889) mark from 2021-24, which was the second-best winning percentage in the country during that span. In her final year in 2024, the Cardinals reached the NCAA Championship match for the second time in three seasons under Busboom Kelly. 

The source of that information? The University of Nebraska sports department’s page on Nebraska volleyball, where Dani is now the head coach, and which Supervolley.org lists as the No. 1 team in the nation.

And that’s not the only place Nebraska is No. 1.

Here’s what the NCAA says:

Top 10 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball (AVCA Poll)

• 1. Nebraska (4-0)
• 2. Pittsburgh (6-0)
• 3. Kentucky (5-1)
• 4. Stanford (4-0)
• 5. Louisville (5-1)
• 6. Wisconsin (3-3)
• 7. Arizona State (5-1)
• 8. SMU (4-1)
• 9. Texas (3-3)
• 10. Florida (4-1)

While we’re at it, let’s give some props to Kentucky, which is also a national powerhouse. Here’s how they did last season:

• The Run: The Wildcats swept Creighton 3-0 in the regional final to punch their ticket to the 2025 NCAA Volleyball Final Four in Kansas City, Missouri. 
• History Made: This marked only the second Final Four appearance in program history, and just the fifth time an SEC team ever reached the volleyball Final Four. 
• The Finish: Kentucky finished the 2025 season with a stellar 30-3 record, advancing past the national semifinals before falling to Texas A&M in the national championship match. Read more about their 2025 Season Summary via UK Athletics

So, plenty of props for volleyball at UofL and UK: But Supervolley.org needs to be more precise when giving credit for Louisville’s success.