Gallery: Louisville Volleyball's Historic NCAA Tournament Run
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville volleyball program might have fallen just short of their ultimate goal, but they still put together a season that won't be soon forgotten.
By all accounts, the Cardinals put together their best season in school history. They finished their 2021 campaign at 32-1, which is good for the second-most wins in program history, just behind their 38-15 mark in 1982. In early November, Louisville ascended to the No. 1 spot in the AVCA poll - the first time they had ever done so.
Louisville entered the NCAA Tournament at 28-0, becoming the first team to end the regular season undefeated since Missouri in 2013. They swept their first three opponents of the tournament - Illinois-Chicago, Ball State and No. 16 Florida, then took down No. 8 Georgia Tech to reach the program's first ever Final Four appearance. The Cardinals fell to No. 4 Wisconsin in five sets.
The Cardinals' aspirations of a national championship might not have come to fruition, but under the guidance of head coach Dani Busboom Kelly, the program is sure to be back in the hunt for a title next season.
As a dedication to Louisville's historic 2021 campaign, Louisville Report has assembled multiple photo galleries chronicling the Cards' Final Four run. All photos are courtesy of Cindy Rice Shelton:
Opening Round vs. Illinois-Chicago
Second Round vs. Ball State
Sweet Sixteen vs. Florida
Elite Eight vs. Georgia Tech
Final Four vs. Wisconsin
Cindy Rice Shelton
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