At the University of Lynchburg, the women’s indoor volleyball team is making history this fall season, earning national recognition for its hard work and dedication. The Hornets were ranked 13th in the nation according to the most recent National Power Index (NPI), the highest ranking in program history.
Head coach Kevin Cardoza said that he believes the team’s success comes from the commitment and exceptional work ethic of the players themselves.
“One of the biggest keys to our success this season has been our incredible student-athletes. They’ve shown outstanding motivation, dedication, and a relentless work ethic, continually striving for competitive greatness while supporting and uplifting one another,” he said.
With a 22-2 overall record and an 8-1 record in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), the team has exceeded previous program records and is on track to earn its first conference championship ever.
“The ODAC is one of the premier Division III volleyball conferences in the country, and I truly believe that this program has the talent, work ethic, and unity needed to bring home its first-ever conference championship,” said Cardoza.
Graduate assistant coach Payton Trujillo, in his first season with the program, said the team’s strong culture sets them apart from other teams in the country.
“This team is a tight-knit group that holds each other and themselves to a high standard. Everyone wants to get better for the person next to them, and being unsuccessful is not an option here. The culture is a big identity of this program, and people gravitate towards it,” he said.
While culture maintains the team throughout the season, Trujillo also credited the team’s behind-the-scenes preparation for its success.
“Consistency has been a huge part of what we do, and there has been a big emphasis on being consistent in everything. That is what helps prepare the team for every opponent,” said Trujillo.
After playing for Lynchburg all four years, senior outside hitter Kailey Keough said this season stands out as the best of her career.
“This season honestly exceeds all of the previous ones in many aspects. We have a group of girls who are all very talented and bought into this program, and all really enjoy being around each other every day,” said Keough.
Keough also shared that being nationally ranked has been a rewarding experience for herself and the team as a whole.
“It means so much to all of us to finally be ranked. We’ve never been a team close to being ranked before, so when we first came close to even being in the top 25, it was shocking and exciting. It feels so rewarding that our hard work is paying off,” she said.
As the Hornets closed out their season with four matches before postseason play, Cardoza reflected on the team’s growth over the past year.
“The most rewarding part has been witnessing the pure joy and excitement our student-athletes feel as they accomplish things that haven’t been done before; They truly deserve everything they’ve accomplished so far,” he said.
The team continues to make the Lynchburg community proud as they set their focus ahead on bringing home their first ODAC championship and competing in the NCAA tournament.
For more information, visit the Official Lynchburg Sports Website.
