Out of Rotation Volleyball Podcast

Another episode of the weekly coach's show talking all things Louisville Volleyball!

Thoughts on last weeks matches against Duke and UNC then previewing the road trip to Florida State and Miami!

Another episode of the in season Dan Meske Radio Show. Meske talks about Louisville Volleyball and the AVCA Match Point Event, ACC Play, and the Road Ahead. Dan also breaks down Louisville volleyball’s selection for the inaugural AVCA Match Point event, the realities of conference play, and how the team is managing a demanding stretch of the season. He also touches on analytics, player development, and what it takes to stay sharp through a packed ACC schedule

00:00 – AVCA Match Point announcement and why Louisville is a natural fit
01:57 – How the event fits into Louisville’s spring volleyball philosophy
03:43 – Spring training blocks, play dates, and managing the calendar
05:55 – The analytics Louisville uses to evaluate offense and serving
08:17 – Why middle and back-row attack production is a key offensive priority
09:58 – ACC play begins and the challenge of staying sharp every week
11:25 – How scouting changes when opponents are trying to upset a top team
13:57 – Returning home to L&N Arena and the energy of playing there
14:56 – Syracuse recap and the reality of road matches in conference play
15:53 – Louisville’s complete performance in the Syracuse sweep
17:18 – Why conference rivalry stats matter less than weekly preparation
18:09 – Boston College preview and how the staff prepares for travel partners
19:15 – Early struggles, a quick reset, and Louisville’s response at Boston College
20:13 – Chloe Chicoine steady leadership and the value of veteran captains
21:06 – Addison Makun named Baird Player of the Week
22:08 – Makun growth from reserve to impact middle blocker
23:43 – The unusual Wednesday-Saturday rematch with Notre Dame
24:54 – Using the first match to identify what can be repeated in the rematch
25:25 – Why Louisville looked so sharp in the sweep over Notre Dame
26:39 – Chloe Meester’s role as a first-year starter against elite opponents
27:48 – Adding rest days to protect mental and physical freshness
30:05 – What Louisville can tweak before facing Notre Dame again
31:25 – When NCAA tournament seeding and RPI start to matter
33:48 – How tough scheduling shapes Louisville’s RPI position
35:04 – What has and has not surprised Meske in the ACC so far
37:52 – Kalissa Blackshear’s growth and improved hitting power
39:45 – Why the right side is so important in the women’s game
40:13 – How Notre Dame may adjust in the second meeting
41:10 – Four straight home matches and the value of routine

A look into the last week of non-conference play for the 2026 Louisville Cardinals Volleyball team! The Cards open ACC play this weekend on the road against Syracuse and Boston College!!

As Louisville Volleyball heads to the 2025 NCAA tournament, Jody and Dan discuss the final week of the season and the upcoming 1st and potential 2nd round at L&N Arena. ALSO, Jody sits down with Payton Petersen and Nayelis Cabello to get their thoughts as they head into their 2nd NCAA Tournament run with the Cardinals!

Another week of Louisville Volleyball is recapped with Jody Demling and Dan Meske. The crew recaps wins over Florida State and Miami, senior day lessons, and previews a tough road trip to Georgia Tech and Clemson! Later, THE Todd Chamberlain (Louisville's recruiting coordinator) comes on the show to talk about the his journey back home and the 2026 recruiting class!

A pivot away from our traditional format, this special bonus episode is "The Dan Meske Radio Show" which airs live weekly here in Louisville and covers all things Louisville Volleyball!

This episode was recorded LIVE at Roosters in Fern Creek and features a wrap up of our Wake Forest/ NC State matches, a preview of our Florida State/ Miami matches, as well as listener questions!!!

The 'Out of Rotation Volleyball Podcast' will return in January 2026, but until then enjoy these weekly bonus episodes for a look into all things Louisville Volleyball!!!

Hear from 6 certified Louisville Legends on their journey before, during and after their volleyball careers!

Chapters

00:00 - Elena Scott

11:21 - Emily Scott

22:58 - Charitie Luper

34:37 - Jamie Vasilou

44:33 - Aiko Jones

57:39 - Anna DeBeer

Ever wonder how A.I. is evolving in volleyball? Tony Ker has the answers!!! One of the founders of Balltime A.I. (now owned by Hudl), Tony joins the show to share his insights on transitioning from a player to coach to entrepreneur and how A.I. will continue to change how we play and coach volleyball!

Jump to a Topic!

Chapters

00:00 Tony Ker "The UCLA Guy"

03:13 Playing Libero

06:13 The Mental Shift in Volleyball Roles

09:13 From Coaching to Real Estate: A Career Shift

12:16 Experiences in Kuwait: A Unique Volleyball Journey

15:19 The Impact of Al Scates on UCLA Volleyball

18:16 The Blue Curtain: Competition and Camaraderie at UCLA

21:18 The Birth of Ball Time: Merging Volleyball and AI

27:49 The Evolution of Ball Time Technology

32:31 Understanding AI in Sports Analysis

37:25 The Impact of AI on Coaching and Training

41:51 Integration with Hudl and Future Prospects

46:41 The Future of Real-Time Data in Volleyball

50:36 Balancing Coaching and Technology

Thanks to our Sponsor Balltime A.I.

Dan and Joe connect for the first time to explore Joe's journey in volleyball, from his early experiences to his current role with Smarter Volley. They discuss the importance of analytics in coaching, the transition from player to coach, and the significance of grit and courage in young athletes. Joe shares insights on setting techniques, the dynamics of confidence versus courage, and the impact of peer pressure in sports. The conversation finishes in practical advice for coaches working with youth athletes, emphasizing the need for clear communication and focused training.

JUMP TO A TOPIC

00:00 Introduction to Joe Trinsey and Smarter Volley

01:26 The Journey to Smarter Volley and Substack

07:11 Joe's Origin Story in Volleyball Coaching

12:55 The Transition from College to Professional Coaching

18:55 Learning from the Best: Coaching Clinics and Mentorship

23:49 The Evolution of Setting Techniques in Volleyball

33:43 Reflecting on the 2022 Volleyball Season

40:07 Analyzing Team Dynamics and Performance

45:12 The Impact of Grit and Resilience in Players

53:57 Confidence vs. Courage in Athletic Performance

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: BALLTIME AI

Dan welcomes Kristen Kelsay, the new head volleyball coach at Michigan State, to discuss her journey from player to coach. Kristen shares her experiences in the recruiting process, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges she faced along the way. She touches on the significance of effective communication and conflict resolution in coaching, as well as the impact of strong female role models in her life. The discussion highlights Kristen's coaching philosophy and her commitment to creating a culture of care and concern within her program. Kristen Kelsay and Dan then discuss the nuances of coaching, focusing on the importance of empathy, the balance between transformational and transactional leadership, and the emotional challenges faced by coaches. They explore the significance of time in athlete development, the need for a personal coaching philosophy, and the complexities of building relationships with athletes. Additionally, they delve into the specifics of setter training, emphasizing the balance between technique and tactical understanding.

JUMP TO A TOPIC!

00:00 Return of the Podcast

03:06 Kristen Kelsay: Journey to Head Coach

09:17 The Transition: Finding Confidence and Opportunity

12:16 HS Recruiting Process

21:12 Finding Home: The Michigan State Experience

23:13 The Evolution of Coaching Opportunities

24:33 Transitioning from Player to Coach

27:36 Mentorship and Leadership in Coaching

30:39 The Importance of Strong Female Role Models

33:11 Effective Communication and Conflict Resolution

36:18 Navigating the Changing Landscape of College Sports

41:30 Transformational vs. Transactional Coaching Philosophy

48:21 The Journey of a First-Time Head Coach

51:59 Emotional Challenges in Coaching Transitions

56:44 The Evolution of Setter Training

01:08:19Feedback Dynamics and Coaching Relationships

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR BALLTIME!!!