Friday Cardinal Couple -- Who will step up now that you're gone?

FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


- Who will be the fall sports stars?

- Centella wins big


You know the story. Seniors, leaders graduate and others are looked to for taking over those roles. We'll look at four fall sports today that lost some really great players to graduation and who we think will carry that torch in 2014.


FIELD HOCKEY

Alyssa a proven scorer for UofL

Erin Schneidtmiller scored nine goals for Justine Sowry's squad in 2013. The former walk-on from Louisville was an essential part of the offense. The good news is that senior Alyssa Voelmle and freshmen Jennifer Pels and Shannon Sloss return and all three are capable scorers.

They'll need the firepower. The ACC field hockey competition is the best in the nation.


SOCCER

Erin Yenney will
be counted on.

Gone are scorers Charlyn Corral, Christine Exeter and midfielder/defender Rachel Melhado. They were three keys to the 2013 Cards successful season. Karen Ferguson Dayes does get back from injuries Kim Sharo and Angelika Uremovich...who both know how to find the net. Erin Yenney should become a leader on the 2014 team as well.

They'll need plenty of scoring. The 2013 NCAA Women's Soccer Final Four was ACC members Virginia, Virginia Tech, Florida State and PAC12's UCLA.


VOLLEYBALL

Katie George will be a team
leader in 2014

We dug Caitlin Welch in her four years as a Card and she did some very good digging on her own as a libero. Emily Juhl was a strong outside hitter who overcame a serious leg injury to spark the Cards in 2013.

We see the freshmen sensations Maya McClendon and Janelle Jenkins creating the "wow" factor in 2014. Louisvillian Katie George is also back for sets and dramatic reactions.

ACC Volleyball and AAC Volleyball seem to be about evenly matched. The Cards will need to find someone to replace Welch and the incredible job if they hope to win the conference crown.

BASKETBALL

The photogenic Bria Smith

Jeff Walz loses four seniors who all rightfully deserve to have their jerseys retired. Shoni, Nita, Asia and Tia will be greatly missed.

Four players we see as being called on the fill that void are seniors Bria Smith, Jude Schimmel, Sara Hammond and junior Shawnta Dyer. The good thing is that there are 10 other players on the roster beside the four mentioned above that are capable of huge nights any night.

ACC Hoops. No UConn...but the Cards will have their hands full with Notre Dame, Syracuse, Duke, UNC...a very tough conference...maybe the strongest in the nation.

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Our columnist on indefinite sabbatical...Jenny O'Bryan...has been staying busy. She's also a horse owner now...going into partnership with her dad and brother to buy Centella.

She was much the best yesterday in the 4th race at Churchill downs....winning the seven furlong maiden claiming event by 10 lengths. Trained by Angel Montano and ridden by CARDINAL COUPLE favorite Corey Lanerie, Centella drew away from the field in the stretch and was hand-ridden to the wire.

Centella paid $10.60 on a $2 win, place, show ticket. She also finished up a nice $1 PK 4 for Paul that returned $206.70 on a $18 wager.

Congratulations, Jenny! We look forward to many more success stories for this grey/roan four year old!


paulie