LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Competitors and coaches participating in the NCAA volleyball championship are astonished that a female coach has yet to claim a title in its 42-year history. It’s somewhat surprising, considering the significant influence that female coaches have had throughout the athletes’ careers and development in volleyball.
That drought is set to end on Sunday, as either Katie Schumacher-Cawley from Penn State or Dani Busboom-Kelly from Louisville will become the first woman to lift the championship trophy. Both coaches are former players who have won titles during their collegiate athletic careers. They express hope that this milestone will pave the way for more female coaches to achieve similar success in the future.
“It’s a difficult feeling to describe,” remarked Busboom-Kelly, who is steering the top-seeded Cardinals (30-5) in their second NCAA final within three seasons. “We take great pride in being role models and demonstrating to athletic directors the capabilities of women in this sport. It’s time to shift the narrative—from a historical achievement to the norm. It will be fantastic to see women consistently competing for championships in Final Fours.”
Both coaches possess impressive backgrounds as players. Busboom-Kelly was instrumental in securing Nebraska’s NCAA title in 2006, contributing to the team’s dual finals appearances. She also gained valuable experience serving as an assistant coach under John Cook at Nebraska during her ascent in coaching.
On the other hand, Schumacher-Cawley was a part of Penn State’s inaugural national championship team in 1999, directed by renowned coach Russ Rose. After serving as an assistant from 2018 to 2021, she took over the head coaching role in 2022 and has led the Nittany Lions (34-2) in pursuit of their eighth national title, their first since 2014.
Schumacher-Cawley’s remarkable accomplishment unfolds amid her fight against stage 2 breast cancer, diagnosed in September. Despite undergoing chemotherapy at UPenn hospital, she derives inspiration and positivity from her experience, including the proximity to a children’s hospital nearby.
The joy she finds in volleyball practices has energized her journey, drawing extensive support from the community, which has positively impacted Penn State’s title ambitions. Yet, she admitted that it hasn’t fully registered what the championship means just yet. “I suppose it hasn’t quite sunk in,” she stated, expressing gratitude to the media for their efforts in elevating the sport’s visibility. “Perhaps it will feel different on Sunday as we step onto the court.”
She continued to emphasize how volleyball has created significant opportunities for numerous individuals, particularly young women, whether in coaching or playing. “It’s truly a remarkable time to be part of this journey, and I’m delighted to participate.”
The Final Four showcased the four top-seeded teams, each displaying incredible tenacity. Penn State demonstrated resilience by staging a dramatic comeback from two sets down to defeat Nebraska in a marathon semifinal that extended past midnight. Louisville also showcased their grit, rebounding from a first-set loss to eliminate the top-seeded Pitt team, overcoming a previous rivalry where they had lost to the Panthers four times.
These thrilling matches unfolded in front of a record NCAA crowd of 21,726 at the KFC Yum! Center, which has a seating capacity of 22,000. The championship, sold out since the summer, is expected to reach a national audience through ABC. Last year’s title game attracted a record 1.7 million viewers, a staggering 115% increase compared to the previous year.
“It’s genuinely thrilling to witness the rising popularity of volleyball, from having 22,000 fans in the arena to thousands more cheering us on from home regardless of win or loss,” shared Penn State freshman setter Izzy Starck. “The overwhelming support across the nation is quite remarkable.”
This fandom surge isn’t unexpected given volleyball’s continual rise as a popular participation sport, with a record 479,125 girls registering for high school volleyball for the 2023-24 year, marking an uptick compared to the previous year.
Both coaches attribute the increasing interest in volleyball to the expanded club programs and competitive leagues that have fostered the development of stronger, more skilled players. The accessibility of games across various broadcast platforms also yields significant benefits, enhancing viewership and engagement with the sport.
Moreover, the representation of women coaching Division I programs has seen a steady increase. According to the NCAA’s demographics, women are in charge of 167 out of 337 programs (almost 49.6%), up from 46% a year prior, with women making up 54% of assistant coaching positions—an increase of one percentage point from the previous year.
By potentially winning the championship, Busboom-Kelly and Schumacher-Cawley could join an exclusive group that has historically been male-dominated. Busboom-Kelly aims for her team to achieve redemption after losing the title to Texas two years ago, hoping that All-American hitter Anna DeBeer will be able to play following her recent ankle injury during the semifinals.
Schumacher-Cawley marks her debut in the Final Four with her team, which previously defeated Louisville earlier in the same season. Coach Cook showed his admiration for Busboom-Kelly’s second opportunity to contend for the title and commended Schumacher-Cawley for guiding her alma mater back to this prestigious level despite her cancer battle.
As such, he expressed confidence that either candidate would eventually break the glass ceiling. “They are both extraordinary players who have previously won national titles. Their accomplishments aren’t mere flukes; they are fierce competitors whose teams reflect that determination.
“It’s shaping up to be an unforgettable match on Sunday.”