Sunday Cardinal Couple -- Volleyball & Softball gain victories

.
SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Volleyball sinks the Pirates in straight sets

-Softball takes two Saturday

-Field Hockey narrowly defeated by #3 UConn

Cards sweep Pirates to go to 15-2

Lola Arslanbekova had 17 kills and Kaitlynn James added 10 as Louisville downed Seton Hall 25-21, 25-23, 25-20 in volleyball action Saturday afternoon in Cardinal Arena.

"We were led by Kaitlynn and Caitlin (Welch) in this match. Welch passed lights out and James hit .417, which is crazy. It was good to see Gwen Rucker gain strength and energy after being off." -- Anne Kordes, head volleyball coach.

The Cards jumped out to an early lead in the first game but a 7-1 Seton Hall run gave the Pirates a 10-8 advantage. They increased that margin to 14-10 before UofL got busy and rolled off seven straight points to go up 17-14. Seton Hall would rally to get close in the contest at 23-21, but two straight James kills tipped the game to Louisville.

UofL traded points with the Pirates in the second game, eventually putting together a 5-1 run to gain a 18-13 advantage. SHU rallied back to get within two, but consecutive kills by Arslanbekova and a game-winning tip pushed the Cards to the close win.

Louisville dominated early in the final game, enjoying leads of 9-2 and 16-7. A late Pirate rally closed the gap to three at 23-20, but kills from Carly Sahagian and Rucker closed out the contest and the sweep.

Louisville heads downtown to the KFC YUM! Center tomorrow for a 1 p.m. match against Rutgers.

*******************************************

Softball shuts out Bellarmine and Tennessee State to end fall season.

The Cards finished fall training, if you will, with two wins yesterday in Ulmer Stadium.

They blanked the Bellarmine Knights 2-0 in the first contest...a two-run homer from Alicja Wolny in the fourth inning giving pitcher Rachel Le Coq all the runs she needed in the six-strikeout performance. Taner Fowler went 2 for 2 for Louisville.

Tennessee Tech faced the Cards' Caralisa Connell in the nightcap and failed to score on her...Fowler continuing the hot bat with a 2 for 3 performance and Jordan Trimble driving in two runs for the victorious Cards. Cards win 4-0.

********************************************

UConn goes to 13-0 with 2-1 win over Louisville Field Hockey.

Louisville spotted UConn two first half goals before rallying for one of their own in the second half in Trager Stadium yesterday.

Becca Maddock found the back of the net off a pass from Alyssa Voelmle's pass for the lone Cardinal goal early in the second half.

"One thing that we have to continue to really focus on is believing that we are capable and that with hard work and persistence we can beat teams like Connecticut. It's back to the drawing board so we can focus on tomorrow's game against Iowa." -- Justine Sowry, UofL head Field Hockey coach.

The Sunday contest against the Hawkeyes is scheduled for 1 p.m.

*******************************************

A potential first-round upset brewing in the Sweet Sixteen Choose Your Favorite Cardinal Women's Athlete contest on the left sie of the side. Women's tennis star Becca Shine has jumped out to an early lead over softball slugger Katie Keller.

One day left to vote in this contest...can Shine down the popular Keller? You have the power, cast your vote!
..
...