NCAA Tournament

For the 2nd time in three years Kentucky is sent home in the first round by a double digit seed.

Kentucky takes on a frisky Oakland team in Pittsburgh.

Last season, Kentucky ended on a high note, finishing ranked No. 5 in the country. They made an impressive run to the quarterfinals at the NCAA Tournament and reached the semifinals at ITA Indoor Nationals. The team also secured their second-ever SEC Tournament Championship and reached the No. 2 spot in the national rankings. Kentucky is eager to continue their success and build upon their achievements from last season.

The season kicks off with two consecutive doubleheaders at home. The first doubleheader will be against EKU and Lipscomb on January 20, followed by another doubleheader against MTSU and Kennesaw State on January 28. The team will then close out their homestand with a match against Austin Peay on February 1.

Louisville will kick off their season at home with two matches on January 17. They will first take on regional rivals Xavier in a highly anticipated showdown, followed by a crosstown matchup against Bellarmine.

For Roed, this marks his second All-Region selection, having previously been named a second team honoree in 2022. He has consistently been a key player in Louisville’s offensive attack, and his abilities did not go unnoticed. Roed finished the season with five goals and led the Cardinals with nine assists, tying for the fourth-most in a single season in program history. His standout performance came in the ACC Championship quarterfinal round, where he notched a hat trick and an assist in a thrilling 4-3 win over Notre Dame. This incredible feat marked the first hat trick by a Louisville player since 2017 and set an ACC Championship record with seven points. Roed’s impact on the team cannot be understated.

Head coach Dani Busboom Kelly was quick to express her gratitude for the opportunity to host the tournament at the Yum! Center, recognizing the commitment of the university and the impact it has on the sport of volleyball. She praised Western Michigan as a formidable opponent, acknowledging their impressive season and highlighting the skills of their setter Logan Case and libero Andelyn Simkins.

The Cardinals have already faced Wright State earlier this season, defeating them 3-1. Head coach Dani Busboom Kelly expressed excitement about playing them again and acknowledged the tough competition. She also highlighted the special opportunity to play at home in front of their fans.

The Wildcats will kick off their eighth season under Coach Mingione with two away weekends before their home opener at Kentucky Proud Park on February 20 against Morehead State. One interesting addition to their schedule is a home-and-home series with Eastern Kentucky, where they will play back-to-back games in early March.

Among the 14 NCAA Tournament teams on Louisville’s schedule, two reached the College World Series, two others made it to the Super Regionals, and four more reached the Regional finals. McDonnell has consistently led the Cardinals to success, and this schedule will test his team’s mettle.