Coach Dani Busboom Kelly and Louisville Cardinals had a wild volleyball journey last season. During the 2024 NCAA season, Dani led Louisville to the NCAA finals, and while the championship slipped through their fingers, the seniors bore the sting of that loss with Dani standing right by their side. Always the heart and soul of her team, she proved once again that her leadership goes beyond the court. Now, as the same set of seniors entered the professional level, some of them have joined the LOVB league, to pursue their dreams in the next level.

Jump to today and they are in the spotlight again as LOVB Omaha challenges LOVB Madison at Liberty First Credit Union Arena. With Cardinals’ stars shining on the LOVB Madison roster, it’s like a mini-reunion for Coach Dani, bringing her right back to her Nebraska roots as she is a Husker alumni.

Abby Barmore hit up X on January 24 to spill some tea, saying, “Louisville head coach Dani Busboom-Kelly is here to watch LOVB Omaha vs. Madison. Busboom-Kelly is a Husker volleyball alumna and is Nebraska native. Anna Stevenson (Hall) and Claire Chaussee play for Madison and are Louisville alumni”

Lincoln Arneal also spilled the beans, posting, “Louisville coach Dani Busboom Kelly is sitting front row at the LOVB Omaha match. LOVB Madison has former Louisville players Anna Stevenson Hall and Claire Chaussee. She also coached Justine Wong-Orantes at Nebraska.” It’s a volleyball reunion with a side of Nebraska vibes, and you just know Dani’s keeping a close eye on her former players while soaking in the magic of the LOVB showdown.

And wait for it—guess who else was on the court side? It wasn’t just Dani Busboom Kelly who was enjoying the actions going on in the field. Lincoln Arneal shared that Nebraska’s very own John Cook and Jaylen Reyes were right there too, showing their support for LOVB Omaha. And get this—there’s buzz about Lexi Rodriguez possibly making her debut with LOVB Omaha during this game, which would be huge.

But of course, before all the action happened, the coaches were seen having a good time — Dani and Cook, discussing some serious volleyball tips. Oh, and did we mention? Recently, Cook had nothing but praise for Dani, acknowledging her NCAA team’s power and leadership.

John Cook’s words for coach Dani Busboom Kelly

During the December 2024 post-match interview with Coach Cook, the reporter asked him about his opinion on the role he played and the success of Coach Dani Busboom Kelly. As a modest man, Cook did not boast about himself but praised Dani by saying, “I think she’s done one of the greatest turnarounds of any college volleyball program.”

Dani Busboom Kelly had been with the Huskers for five years, under Coach Cook’s wing, helping lead them to their fifth NCAA title. Since making her transition to Louisville as head coach, she has only grown brighter and brighter. “Coming here to Louisville and getting to the Final Four, playing for a national championship. Now she’s gonna get to do it again,” Coach Cook said, knowing her journey was just getting started.

While Dani Busboom Kelly now competes against him as an opponent, Cook has been a mentor for her since 2006. After the unfortunate exit of the Huskers in their NCAA campaign, Cook couldn’t help but be proud of the job that Dani did with Louisville, “She came here, and it wasn’t a power program, and she’s done an amazing job.” It’s clear: Dani Busboom Kelly’s work is evident and even other coaches cannot help but be amazed at what she has created.