It’s been over a month since the college volleyball transfer window opened. Although the portal has been quite busy, there’s still time for some colleges to find success, and UCLA has just proven that point with a massive transfer. Despite ending the 2024 NCAA Season with a losing record of 14-15, the UCLA program has picked up a 2024 national championship finalist.

“Welcome to Westwood PK!” the ULCA social media handle posted on X as they welcomed the experienced former Cardinal, Phekran Kong. “The talented middle blocker with National Championship experience is officially in the Blue and Gold!” the Bruins added. While Kong will certainly benefit the depth of the UCLA squad, losing the 6’4 player isn’t good news for Louisville.

That’s because the volleyball star wasn’t just part of a team that made it to the 2024 NCAA Championship final against Penn State. Kong’s greatest strong suit at Louisville was consistency. The Sioux Falls resident played 11 sets for the Louisville Cardinals in 2023, scoring 203 kills with a high hit percentage of 0.309, and also had 117 blocks to her name.

However, among Phekran Kong’s biggest achievements was getting invited to the USA Volleyball Women’s National Team Open Program in February 2024. So keeping these accolades in mind, it’s easy to see why the middle blocker makes a great addition to the Bruins. However, the San Diego native will get only a single season to play with the UCLA team.

“PK Kong will finish her career at UCLA after starting 77 matches at Louisville during the last three seasons,” Huskers Illustrated writer Lincoln Arneal explained while sharing the official UCLA post on X. Besides Kong, the Louisville Cardinals have lost their star player Anna DeBeer, as the senior’s college volleyball career came to an end with the 2024 NCAA season. However, despite losing experienced players, the Cardinals aren’t in dire straits.

Lousiville volleyball has been busy filling out its roster

While Phekran Kong had the experience, to say Anna DeBeer was crucial to Louisville’s success in 2024 would be an understatement. In fact, it was the outside hitter who made the difference during the thrilling semifinal. DeBeer’s resilience in the third set, the game dead even for Pitt volleyball and the Cards. Although the hitter couldn’t finish the match due to sustaining an injury in the fourth set, the momentum had swung Louisville’s way.

So the Cardinals wasted no time in filling the void that DeBeer left behind. On December 26, Chloe Chicoine announced that she would take up the outsider hitter’s role for the Cardinals. “Huge thank you to DBK and the entire coaching staff for this opportunity. Go Cards!” the 5’10 hitter wrote. Meanwhile, the Cardinals shared the news with the caption, “Got ourselves a star.”

And why would they? Chloe Chicoine holds the title for the most decorated freshman in Purdue volleyball’s history. However, besides the offensive specialist, Dani Busboom Kelly has also signed stars with a versatile play style. Kalyssa Blackshear, Hannah Kenny, and Addison Makun are among the players who joined ahead of the 2025 NCAA season.

“Kalyssa is a versatile player who excels both as a middle blocker and right-side hitter,” said DBK, while showing similar praise for Kenny. “Hannah Kenny brings her exceptional skills as both a setter and libero…” added the coach. So it’s safe to say that UCLA isn’t the only program that has benefited during the 2024/25 transfer season.