Dani Busboom Kelly adds Brigitta Petrenko to Louisville volleyball roster

Head Women’s Volleyball Coach Dani Busboom Kelly had her hands full heading into the offseason after an incredible run in the 2022 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament. She took the Cardinals all the way to the National Championship game, where Louisville, unfortunately, fell to Texas in three straight sets.

After coming off the excitement of a near-perfect tournament run, Louisville was faced with the departures of five members of their team: graduate student Clair Chaussee, who was arguably the face of the team last season, graduate student Raquel Lazaro, senior Amaya Tillman, senior Alexa Hendricks, and redshirt junior Nena Mbonu, who transferred to the University of Houston.

However, there was a buffer for the Louisville volleyball program as Coach Kelly had success in the high school ranks by adding five new additions to the team as a part of the Class of 2023. Joining the team are Jessica Drapp, Kamden Schrand, Molly Urban, Alanna Bankston, and Reese Robins.

Jessica Drapp, Kamden Schram, and Molly Urban are all liberos, while Alanna Bankston is an outside hitter, and Reese Robins is a middle blocker/right-side hitter. Now, the latest addition to the team is Coastal Carolina graduate transfer, Brigitta Petrenko.

A native of Eger, Hungary, the 6-foot setter has spent the past four seasons at Coastal Carolina University. As a member of the Chanticleers, she has recorded a plethora of accolades that include:

• 2019 VolleyBallMag.com All-Freshman Team
• 2020 Sun Belt Setter of the Week
• 2020 All-Sun Belt First Team
• 2021 All-Sun Belt Second Team

In four seasons, she not only graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in recreation and sports management, but she also recorded 250 kills, 3488 assists, and 825 digs.

Petrenka will have an immediate impact through her game experience and ability to set up her teammates.