Wednesday Cardinal Couple -- Basketball, Lacrosse and Volleyball

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( Jenny O'Bryan fills us in on the latest UofL WBB commit...plus news from Lacrosse and Volleyball. )


CALIFORNIA'S CARTER COMMITS TO CARDS

Coach Jeff Walz added yet another piece to the 2014 puzzle with the announcement by Arica Carter that she will become a Louisville Cardinal.  Carter was on campus this past weekend with 3 of the young women who had previously verbally pledged to Louisville, Sydney Brackemyer, Ariana Freeman and Mariya Moore.  (The fourth verbal pledge, Myisha Hines-Allen, had already taken her official visit and was not on campus). 

Carter is a 5-8 combo guard out of Long Beach, CA and played AAU ball on the same club as Moore.    ESPN Hoopgurlz had this to say about her style of play:

Smooth, athletic combo-guard manufactures, elevates in mid-range game to the arc; soft touch on jumper with confident demeanor; uptempo contributor; defends in pressure. (Olson)

Carter is also known for her defensive presence on the floor.  Her defensive assignment in high school play is usually the best player on the court.  Check out this read to learn more about our future Cardinal.

http://www.presstelegram.com/sports/20130417/2013-all-area-girls-basketball-team-poly-highs-arica-carter-tops-press-telegram-picks

While Carter is a name that is relatively new to those of us that follow recruiting, it really should not come as too big of a surprise.  As an AAU clubmate of Moore as well as another potential recruit in Kristen Simon, my guess is the staff got to see plenty of Carter during this past summer circuit.  She apparently had a great last summer of ball, and it appears the Cardinal coaches were watching. 

Is this the final piece of the puzzle for 2014?  It is really hard to say.  There are two more names that have been floating around in relation to Louisville basketball and that is Kristen Simon (also from California) and A’Ja Wilson, one of the top (if not the top) player in the country. 

Simon is a 6-1 forward out of Los Angeles and was supposedly on campus this past weekend as well.  Her reported finalists are Louisville, CAL, Ohio State, Texas and Southern California.  Should she choose Louisville she will have plenty of west coast familiarity in Moore and Carter. 

Wilson is an intriguing prospect as a 6-5 forward out of South Carolina.  She is a program changer and can play most positions on the floor.  She has long stated that she will not sign in the early signing period, rather will wait til the regular signing period in April.   Where exactly Louisville stands with this top prospect is unknown, she has kept her recruitment pretty close to her chest.   This is definitely a name to remember, folks. 

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BOLTJA IS BEST FOR SECOND STRAIGHT SEASON

The 2013 Lacrosse team held it’s annual banquet this past weekend.   Awards handed out to several players.

Nikki Boltja was named the most valuable player for the second year in a row.   Coach Young stated  “our 2013 honoree is one of the most passionate, committed players I have every coached.  She will do whatever is asked and then some, to help her team win.”

Janaye Dzikewich earned the coaches award for the second year in a row.   Young stated Dzikewich is “ a stalwart in the face of adversity.  She exceeded all expectations and inspired those around her. “

Kaylinn Morissette earned rookie of the year honors.  She arguably had the best freshman season in school history.  Said Coach Young "she is one of the most dominant midfielders in the country. She impacted all aspects of our game in the 2013 season - attack, midfield, defense, and the draw.

"A developing leader, she is sure to have a remarkable impact on our program over the next three years."

Carissa Corbett earned most improved player award. 

Congratulations to all the honorees and to the team for a great season.  We look forward to seeing them again in the spring!


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VOLLEYBALL "SHOCKED" BY WICHITA STATE

A mid-week, non-conference trip to Wichita by Anne Kordes' Volleyball squad proved disappointing...as the Wichita State Shockers pulled off the upset by downing Louisville in five games 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 15-10.

Brooke Mattingly had 15 kills for the Cards, joined by Janelle Jenkins (11) and Emily Juhl (12) as double-figure kill artists...but Louisville once again stumbles in the fifth and deciding set.

Early success for UofL, taking a 11-3 lead in the first and up 21-13 late before winning by five. Jenkins and Mattingly with four kills each to put the Cards up 1-0.

The WSU Shockers (17-4) rallied back in game two, grabbing their first lead at 21-20 and going on a game-ending 4-2 run to even the match. A quiet game for Cards freshman Maya McClendon, with just two kills in the first two sets.

Louisville led early in the third game 11-10 and built the advantage to 17-13...but a WSU rally tied it at 18-18 and the host team out-pointed the Cards 7-3 down the stretch. McClendon responded with four kills...but the Cards were down two games to one.

With their back against the wall, Louisville trailed WSU 14-11 in the fourth after a 5-0 Shocker run. The Cards would rally back to tie at 15-15 and the game remained close...the teams deadlocked at 22-22 before Mattingly, Randi Ewing and Juhl propelled Louisville to a game ending 3-0 run.

The fifth set was all WSU. Jumping out to a 4-0 lead, the Shockers increased that to 7-2, withstood a Louisville challenge that cut the lead to 13-10 and tallied the final two points of the match to take game and match.

The Cards travel to face the Cincinnati Bearcats next. Game is on Friday with a 7 p.m. start.