By Gabrielle Duncan

The University of Louisville women’s volleyball team has had great success in recent history. They have captured the Big East Championship three years in a row and have made multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. The Cardinals have asserted themselves as one of the elite teams in the nation.

Leonid Yelin, the winningest coach in school history and the man who led to Cards to all of their victories, retired at the end of the fall season after 15 years. It might seem that this would create a setback for the team, but the Cards have a new leader at the helm. Anne Kordes, a former U of L volleyball player, has returned to her alma mater and stepped in to fill Yelin’s big shoes. Kordes, who left Saint Louis University after coaching there for seven seasons, has an impressive résumé. She led the Billikens to three NCAA Tournament appearances and she has a career record of 146-75 (.661).

Kordes said she is prepared to lead the Cardinals to new heights.

“When I came in, I was really excited about where they were physically and athletically, and because there’s a strong foundation for us to work from,” said Kordes.

The players have already responded positively to Kordes’ philosophies and style of coaching.

“She’s all about intensity and playing every point like it’s your last and not just winning a game but beating a team and making them feel like they have no hope against us,” said junior middle hitter Gwen Rucker. “It’s a very different mindset than what we are used to.”

Kordes’ focus is not only on winning games and collecting trophies. She wants to create an atmosphere in which her players can have fun outside of competing.

“We’ve been trying to do a lot of team building and trying to trust each other and push each other and support each other,” said Kordes. “We’re having a ball. It’s an absolute blast coaching them.”

Freshman outside hitter Emily Juhl said she agrees with the changes that Kordes is implementing.

“There’s more of a family,” said Juhl. “We do lots of things outside of practice – just fun activities to get together and keep bonding.”

The Cards have been working hard in preparation for the start of their spring season on March 26. However, for the spring, Kordes is more concerned about development than winning.

“For us, it’s not so much whether we win or lose in the spring,” said Kordes. “I’m going to throw out a bunch of different lineups. The goal is for us to be better defensively and offensively, both technically and strategically, regardless of the outcome.”

Juhl said she sees the spring as an opportunity to practice and grow as a team

“Since it’s our first spring competition, I think it’s important that we go out and try to implement the things we’ve been learning into a game-like situation,” said Juhl.

But the Cards are looking forward to the fall season and their goals for the team.

“With this program, our goal is always going to be to win a national championship,” said Kordes. “I’m not just saying that. We train like that. We train hard that way, in the gym and in the weight room. There’s no question we want to put that out there.”

Only time will tell what Kordes will accomplish this season as a new coach, but her future – and the future of the Cardinals – is looking bright.

“It’s hard to say right now where we can go because I certainly don’t think that it would be fair to limit this team because they are getting better every day,” said Kordes. “We just have to wait and see. The sky’s the limit for this group.”