The University of Louisville athletics department had a strong showing in the Learfield Directors’ Cup Division I standings, which were released on Thursday. The Cardinals closed out the fall semester in 22nd place, thanks in part to a second-place national finish by the volleyball team.
Louisville totaled 213 points across its fall sports and was one of nine ACC schools ranked in the top 25, the most of any conference in the country. The Cardinals accrued points in field hockey, football, men’s soccer and volleyball, with all four teams reaching their respective postseasons.
The volleyball team had a historic season, culminating in an NCAA runner-up finish. The second-ranked Cardinals (31-3) earned the No. 2 overall seed in the NCAA championship and advanced to their second-straight Final Four. After beating Pittsburgh in the semifinals, Louisville became the first-ever ACC team to reach the national title match before falling to top-seeded Texas.
The Cardinals were well-represented among the league’s top honorees. In addition to Dani Busboom Kelly’s third straight ACC Coach of the Year award, a trio of Louisville players also took home major awards: Claire Chaussee was named ACC Player of the Year, Raquel Lazaro was voted ACC Setter of the Year, and libero Elena Scott was tabbed the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
The Cards also placed four players on the AVCA All-American Team with Chaussee being named an AVCA first team All-American. She was joined by All-American teammates Scott, who earned second team honors, Amaya Tillman, who was a third team selection, and Lazaro, who was an honorable mention.
The UofL field hockey team had a successful season, registering a 12-8 overall record after earning its fourth-straight NCAA tournament bid. The Cardinals were ranked No. 12 in the final NFHCA Coaches Poll after spending the entire season in the top 15 and reaching as high as No. 4 in the 2022 campaign. Following the season, Julie Kouijzer and Aimee Plumb earned NFHCA All-America honors, marking the eighth straight year the Cardinals have placed at least two players on the All-America teams, a streak which dates back to the 2015 season.
The men’s soccer program made its 14th NCAA appearance in school history but fell in the first round of the postseason. The Cards finished the year at 9-6-3 and posted a pair of top-10 victories.
The football team had a strong season, led by a defense that tied a school record in sacks and was one of the top overall defenses in the country. The Cardinals won eight games, including a victory over Cincinnati in the Fenway Wasabi Bowl. It was the 20th postseason appearance for the Cardinals in the last 25 seasons.
In summary, the University of Louisville athletics department closed out the fall semester on a high note, with strong performances across multiple sports. With several teams earning postseason appearances and individual players receiving awards and honors, it’s clear that the Cardinals are a force to be reckoned with in the world of college sports.
