The world of women’s college volleyball is filled with tension, drama, action, and ultimately victory. This issue we delve into the Power 10 of Division 1 women’s college volleyball to see what makes these teams such huge successes.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

(22-0)

Coach – Dani Busboom Kelly

Ranked #1 in the NCAA pre-season polls, the Cornhuskers are coming out with lots of fire and intensity! With newcomers like Gatorade Player of the Year Campbell Flynn, a setter from Michigan, Virginia Adriano, a 6’5 a rightside from Italy, and Keri Leimbach, a DS/Libero defending state champion playing for her home state of Nebraska, and that’s just to name a few. Nebraska also has a lot of well known veterans coming back, like their power junior class consisting of Harper Murray, who averaged 0.391 against the Michigan Wolverines, Andi Jackson, who totaled 134 blocks last season, and Laney Choboy, who averaged 1.53 digs per set last season.

Texas Longhorns

(18-2)

Coach – Jerrit Elliot

After falling short in the 3rd round of the NCAA D1 Tournament last year in a 4 set upset to Creighton, Longhorn fans were very disappointed after being back-to-back national champions and dropping that game which should’ve been a breeze. But things started looking up after Torrey Stafford, a junior transfer from University of Pittsburgh, brought that flame back to the program. Stafford is averaging a .358 hitting percentage only in her first year. Going undefeated so far in the regular season, Longhorn fans wonder if this will be either a perfect season or will choke again in the NCAA tournament.

Pittsburgh Panthers

(19-3)

Coach – Dan Fisher

After losing two of their best hitters, Torrey Stafford, a transfer to Texas, and Valeria Vazquez Gomez, a graduate who is now playing pro in Italy, the Panthers were very dependent on Olivia Babcock, a junior rightside. During the AVCA First Serve Tri-Match, the Panthers went 0-2 to Nebraska and the University of Florida, Babcock averaged under .200 for both games in contrast to her usual over .300 hitting percentage during the regular season. Speculations have been that Babcock will transfer for her senior season due to Pitt not being as strong as they used to be in the past years now that she’s an extremely reliable player and needed in the Panthers rotation.

Kentucky Wildcats

(18-2)

Coach – Craig Skinner

Honestly, I don’t think anyone expected for the Wildcats to be doing as good as they are right now. After usually being in the underdogs in their conference and losing to Pittsburgh in a 3 set sweep in the NCAA tournament quarterfinals. People didn’t know what to expect, but the Wildcats have shown up! Kassie O’Brien, a freshman setter who just reached her career high of 524 assists, averaged more than 30 assists per game. Not only has O’Brein shocked the SEC Conference with her stunning stats as a freshman but also with her performance and confidence in herself. She walks onto any court confident in her ability and in her teammates, which is needed on every team!

SMU Mustangs

(17-5)

Coach – Sam Erger

The Mustangs gained 6 transfers this year: Jordyn Schilling, a senior DS/Libero from High Point, Malaya Jones, a graduate Opposite Hitter from Colorado State, Madison Scheer, a senior Outside Hitter from Auburn, Jadyn Livings, a sophomore Outside Hitter from USC, Favor Anyanwu, a sophomore middle blocker and another USC transfer, and Averi Carlson, a senior Setter from Texas. Introducing seven freshmen into the program as well, the majority of the Mustangs’ roster is made up of newcomers, so it’s surprising that they are doing this well. But with a coach as good as Sam Erger, who was voted AVCA Southwest Region Coach of the Year, they are bound to have an interesting season coming forward.

Louisville Cardinals

(18-4)

Coach – Dan Meske

In January, the Cardinals head coach, Dani Busboom Kelly, left to go coach for her Alma Mater at University of Nebraska. Coach Dan Meske isn’t a stranger to the University of Louisville since he was the Associative head coach from 2017-2024, but being promoted to head coach on the fly is a responsibility that is daunting to take. However, Meske seems to be handling it quite well.

Purdue Boilermakers

(20-3)

Coach – Dave Shondell

The Boilermakers have been on a 7 game winning streak, one of their most recent with a 3 set sweep against No. 25, and last year’s national champions, Penn State, making that the Boilermakers 11th conference win this season boosting them up in the rankings slowly but surely. On Saturday, the Boilermakers went up against University of Iowa, making it a 4-set thriller that had all fans watching from the edges of their seats. Purdue has always brought something to the table whether that be their defense or offense. The Boilermakers know how to show out, and it definitely shows this season.

Arizona State Sun Devils

(18-3)

Coach – JJ Van Niel

Finishing first in their conference last year, 4 AVCA All Region players, 3 All-Americans and 5 players made the Big 12 team. Fans were expecting big things from the Sun Devils this year. Neomie Glover, a transfer from Oregon, is leading in kills almost every match until her injury last week. Now leading is Bailey Miller who hit double digits in kills against their most previous game against Texas Tech.

Wisconsin Badgers

(16-4)

Coach – Kelly Sheffield

Wisconsin has usually been one of those teams that have been in “Core 4” conversation but unfortunately not this year. Surprisingly, they snuck their way into the top 10. Wisconsin starting setter Charlie Fuerbringer got injured, and this is their lowest ranking since 2018, having to replace key players and losing to teams like Penn State and USC (which are crucial to their standings when it comes to playoffs). Badger fans are slowly getting more and more frustrated. Hopefully before playoffs the Badgers can get it together.

Stanford Cardinals

(20-3)

Coach – Kevin Hambly

The Cardinals are most known for having the most national championships in the D1 NCAA Women’s Volleyball franchise. After losing key players, Stanford has always been on the chopping block, constantly rebuilding to achieve that same team they had years ago.

Heading into the post-season, these teams seem to have a lock on their positions. Yet, with anything possible, we’ll all just have to tune in to watch these amazing athletes place, set, and spike their way to a championship.