Check out the FloVolleyball NCAA Countdown, where we rank the top 20 collegiate women's volleyball teams in the country leading up to opening day on August 26. The No. 20 spot goes to Louisville this year, and here's why:

The Upshot

Last season's surprise ACC champ loses--and gains--firepower as it enters 2016 with a strong returning core.

Last Season

• 25-7 overall, 18-2 in ACC (1st place) 
  
• 1-1 in NCAA Tournament (lost 3-1 at home to Illinois) 
  
• No. 21 in final 2015 RPI
  
• Team Hitting Percentage: .249 (#49 in nation) 
  
• Opponents' Hitting Percentage: .176 (#43 in nation) 
  
• Team blocks per set: 2.39 (#54 in nation)
  

The Players

RETURNING STARS

Janelle Jenkins | 5-11 | Senior | Outside Hitter
3.03 kills/set (.207); 0.91 blocks/set; member of 2016 U.S. Collegiate National Team

Tess Clark | 6-3 | Junior | Middle Blocker
2.31 kills/set (.441); 1.00 blocks/set; member of the 2016 U.S. Collegiate National Team

Molly Sauer | 5-11 | Sophomore | Libero
4.56 digs/set; 2015 ACC Defensive Player of the Year; 2015 ACC Freshman of the Year

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PROMISING NEWCOMERS

Coline Coessens | 6-0 | Junior | Outside Hitter
Transfer from UTEP; 3.13 kills per set

Melanie McHenry | 6-2 | Freshman | Outside Hitter
Led all Indiana preps in kills; Kicker for her high school football team

Megan Sloan | 6-1 | Freshman | Outside Hitter
Played for Cathedral High School in Indiana, one of the top high school teams in the country

Nikki Koval | 5-5 | Sophomore | Defensive Specialist
Transfer from USF; 2.13 digs/set

BIGGEST LOSSES

Katie George | 5-10 | Setter
12.12 assists/set (#4 in the nation); 2015 ACC Player of the Year; 2015 ACC Setter of the Year

Erin Fairs | 5-11 | Outside Hitter
3.87 kills/set (.257); Louisville's kills leader in 2015

Maya McClendon | 5-9 | Outside Hitter
Transferred to Arizona State; 2.12 kills/set (.162); 0.43 blocks/set; 2013 ACC Freshman of the Year; Louisville's kills leader in 2014

Aniah Philo | 5-9 | Outside Hitter
Transferred to Baylor; 1.55 kills/set; 0.25 blocks/set

Nonconference Matches to Watch

September 9 vs. Minnesota @ UNC
September 10 vs. Wisconsin @ UNC
September 15 vs. Kentucky

Outlook

The Cardinals began and ended last season with losses to Illinois. In between, they surprised almost everyone by winning the ACC after being picked by conference coaches to finish fifth. It will be a challenge for ACC Coach of the Year Anne Kordes (fifth season) to replace the exceptional Katie George at setter and Erin Fairs on the outside. Two outside hitters--senior Maya McClendon and sophomore Aniah Philo--transferred out in the offseason, but two others--junior OH Coline Coessens and sophomore DS Nikki Koval--transferred in. A strong freshman class is led by two Indiana OHs, Melanie McHenry and Megan Sloan. Teams that take an international summer tour often develop closer bonds, and the Cardinals spent 10 days this summer in Europe.

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Prediction

Louisville will battle North Carolina and Florida State for the ACC title. Non-conference matches against Minnesota and Wisconsin should help gauge whether the ACC can make more noise in the postseason.