“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
-Colossians 3:2
The Louisville Cardinals volleyball team came into the 2021 season with a chip on their shoulder. Although they had a strong 15-3 year in the previous campaign, many underestimated Louisville and they were overshadowed by the likes of teams such as Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. However, the Cardinals got off to a quick start and have since not slowed down. The best season in program history, the Cardinals finished the redular season at 28-0 with a #1 spot in the entire country. On their road to success they have been led by one of their most experienced leaders, Tori Dilfer, who says going to Louisville was all God’s work.
“God moved mountains for me to be at the University of Louisville playing volleyball and everything about this place and this program is an answer to prayer.”
“God has used volleyball as a tool to reveal His character and faithfulness to me which has allowed me to see how powerful sports can be and how God is not limited in how He reaches us. I have so much confidence and trust in the Lord because over and over again He has used the game of volleyball to show me that His ways are better than my ways.”
The daughter of former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer, Tori Dilfer was introduced to faith from a young age. However, the Dilfer family experienced tragedy when Tori’s brother passed away at the age of 5. The sudden loss rocked the family, but Tori says they still had faith that God was in control.
“Going through that was when I first saw faith lived out and saw God work in some awesome ways. He provided people in my family’s life that not only were there for us but that pointed us to a comfort so much stronger than anything the world could give us. I saw these people encourage my parents to seek after the Lord like they never had before.”
Tori says now since her years at TCU and coming to Louisville, her faith has only continued to grow and remain the backbone of her career and her life.
One of the best setters in the sport today, Tori says she has focused on using the game and her skills as an opportunity to point others to Jesus.
“I truly believe that volleyball and faith go hand in hand for me. I believe that if we try to separate our faith and our sport, we are robbing ourselves of seeing how awesome and powerful God is. He works through sports more than I think we often realize and when we allow Him to use our sport for eternal reasons, we see Him in a whole new way.”
Although the season didn’t finish with the championship the Cardinals had hoped for, Tori and her teammates will still go down in the history books as one of the best teams so play the game. Tori says having a support system of family, teammates, and friends have allowed her to take the court each day focused on impacting someone’s life.
“I think sports are one of the best ways that we learn about life and grow as people and leaders, but I also believe that God gives us athletic ability for kingdom purposes. He desires for us to use our sport to bring glory to His Name and work in such a way that honors Him.”
Thank you for sharing this inspiring story with us.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful…. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. “(Colossians 3: 12-15, 23-24.)