A FEW AWARDS -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 THE PAULIES

Now that the UoL women's sports season for 2021-22 has ended, it's time to hand out a few honors and tributes for accomplishments. First off, there were a huge amount of outstanding plays, wins and performances from the 12 women's sports that Louisville has participating in DI athletics and. perhaps that could be another column down the road for the Cardinal Couple writing staff. 

Today, though, it's the "Paulie's" and I'll be awarding three Paulie awards in today's column. 

-- Most Outstanding Player Performance

-- Most Outstanding Team

-- Most Outstanding Head Coach

So, dim the house lights, strike up the orchestra and get "Big voice guy" (or Sean Moth, I'd be fine with either) announcing the winners. 

MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER PERFORMANCE

We had a slew of top notch performances in the 2021-22 season. Who could forget Hailey Van Lith's 34 points against Clemson in early February in Littlejohn Arena?  Anna DeBeer's 343 kills were remarkable and Carmyn Greenwood batting .400 for the Softball season was incredible and so much fun to watch. 

As good as they were, though, none of them were DI National Champions. The Most Outstanding Player Performance honor and award goes to Gabi Leon, who won the NCAA Championships Pole Vault. There is one National Champion on the UofL campus for 21-22 and it's the redshirt senior from Grand Rapids, MI -- Gabi Leon. 

MOST OUTSTANDING TEAM/SQUAD

There's no doubt that several teams had outstanding 2021-22 seasons. How about Field Hockey going 16-4 and going undefeated in the ACC regular season? We also can't forget Louisville women's basketball and their outstanding 29-5 season and 16-2 ACC mark, plus a NCAA Final Four appearance. 

The Paulie goes to Volleyball, though. A 32-1 record, 18-0 in conference and trip to the Final Four. A season to remember for the remarkable VolleyCards and....guess what?....they're loaded again for the 2022-23 season. Life is good in the L&N Ferderal Credit Union Arena..

MOST OUTSTANDING COACH

Another tough one to award a "Paulie" for and I doubt many of you would have a problem if this category went to Justine Sowry or Dani Busboom Kelly. 

The Paulie goes to WBB head coach Jeff Walz, though. He went into the season without last year's "do everything" guard Dana Evans. He came up with a squad that featured three transfers, a powerful rotating duo at center and a guard that the entire nation knew and hung on Hailey's every dribble, pass, shot and cut. He also built a team that was not afraid of hard work, playing under pressure or being "second fiddle" in their own conference. They lived by the motto "work is work" and they went to work each and every day.. His reserves were spot-on perfect and his coaching staff so effective and efficient. When it comes down to it, a head coach can be the difference between a .500 squad and a team going to "the dance".

They were a FINAL FOUR Team and had the misfortune of matching up against a South Carolina team that was slightly better. And, that pantry is still stocked. 

So, there it is Got a different view on the awards? Lemme know. 

paulie  . 

THE PAULIES -- Wednesday Cardinal Couple

 

THE PAULIES

As University of Louisville women's fall sports start to wind down toward ACC Tournament times or a brief hiatus until the spring, let's take a look at a few of the key student-athlete performers for the Cards in three sports. 

I'll be awarding "The Paulies" today...for Women's Soccer, Field Hockey and Volleyball. The categories are Most Valuable Player, Most Improved Player and Rookie of the Season. 

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, I have been advised I can't do the awards in a public setting with a large crowd in attendance. I briefly considered shouting out the winners in the press box at the home WSOC game against Notre Dame this Sunday or from my seat at the FSU Football game this Saturday...but have decided to just do them here in my office, in my puffy pants and Motor City Bowl sweatshirt. The squirrels in the front yard are the only audience besides Sonya...they don't seem very interested in the event, but, hey -- it's 2020...I'm used to the scenario. So with no further adieu, I'll use a little sanitizer, wash my hands in hot water and put on my mask as we head into...The Paulies !!!  

WSOC

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

This one was a toughie, with two prime candidates in Emina Ekic, who leads Louisville in goals scored and Gabby Kouzelos, who stops everything but traffic on Bardstown Road during rush hour. The Kickin' Cards have allowed just three  scores in six games, though, and Gabby has keyed a stingy defense that has gone under the philosophy of "if you can't score on us, you can't beat us" 

The Paulie goes to Gabby Kouzelos, who will probably promptly dive for it, catch it, set it on the pitch and kick it out to mid-field... 

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER

Keeping in line with the philosophy of you can't win if you can't score, midfield-back Sarah Hernandez has been an integral part of what the Cards have been doing defensively. Not flashy, but -- oh, so consistent -- she just puts on the hard hat and never leaves the field. We had questions about Louisville's defensive prior to the season starting, Sarah has been a mainstay in making them look very impressive, so the Paulie goes to Sarah Hernandez, who most likely prevent me from getting the award to her and send it out to another midfield to start the attack. 

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

We didn't know a lot about freshman Atlanta, GA native Morgan Bentley before the season started, but, she's rapidly become a name to get to know. Ask Virginia Tech, Bentley scored the lone goal in the Cards last outing against the Hokies and has been an integral part of the Cards offense this year. The Paulie goes to Morgan Bentley and I'll have Emina Ekic send it in to her on a corner kick and let her drive it into the net. 

FIELD HOCKEY

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Getting to 5-0 this season has been a wonderful and impressive surprise for Justine Sowry's squad. The player the opposition keys on has been Mercedes Pastor. "Mechi" leads Louisville in goals scored and is the clear choice to me for the MVP designation Mercedes Pastor gets the Paulie and I'll set it in one of the corners of Trager Stadium and let her work her stick magic with it to get it in position for a shot on goal or take back to her locker. 

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER

Following a legend is tough to do. Last year, Hollyn Barr won the battle to replace sensation Ayeshia McFerran in goal. All she did was help take the Cards to the NCAA Tournament. That being quite the accomplishment, she's come back even more impressive this season and allowed just four goals, while creating 14 saves. The red-shirt senior stops the ball from going in the net and I give her the most improved player. I'll try to leave "the Paulie award"  in the middle of the net for her, but, most likely she'll get a pad on it during my attempt and knock it out of danger. 

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Several freshmen have made an impact on the pitch this year at Trager, but the most impressive to me has been the girl from Haarlem. No, that's not one of the seven boroughs of New York, it's a city in The Netherlands and the Paulie award winner is Charlie van Oirschot. She's scored twice for the Stick Girls this year and shown a ferocity on the Trager turf that really impresses me. We'll just put the award out on the field somewhere, knowing full well Charlie will find it, take control of it and advance it toward the opponent's goal. 

VOLLEYBALL

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

I go with Aiko here. The redshirt sophomore from Jamaica leads the Cards in kills and her arena rattling slams have been heard from Boston to the L&N Federal Credit Union Arena.  She's an outside hitter that draws the attention of any defense she faces and she's got some pretty nifty dance moves as well! She began her career playing Volleyball on the concrete. That's a rough go of it, especially if the need to dive for a ball comes into play 

The PAULIE GOES to Aiko Jones and I'll just toss it up in the vicinity of the net in the LNFCU and have no doubts she'll drill it past me, in bounds, for a point. 

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER

This one is really a tough one to assign and award. I look at it like this. At Boston, the Cards were with senior setter Tori Dilfer. They went with South Alabama transfer Rachael DeMarcus and won six of the seven sets in Beantown. Granted she was outstanding while in the Sun Belt Conference as a freshman, but to step up in the ACC and turn in a performance like that -- with 81 assists -- showed me a lot. The Paulie goes to Rachael DeMarcus...I'll send it over the net and let her perform her magic with it. 

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

One of my favorite lines this season while watching Louisville Volleyball this year  has been "Bring on DeBeer!" and I'm not asking Sonya to bring me a cold, chilly, frosty from the fridge. The Assumption superstar hasn't disappointed at all this season for the VolleyCards and is second on the roster in kills. Anna DeBeer earns the Paulie in this category...she'll run onto the court from the sidelines to accept it and then probably send it whistling back over my head at me. 

Got a different take on any of these nine awards? Well, let me know in the comments section

 Have a wise Wednesday,

paulie

Louisville women's basketball in preseason WNIT -- Thursday CARDINAL COUPLE

SEMO FIRST OPPONENT IN PRE-SEASON WNIT


The preseason WNIT starts on Wednesday, Nov 10th. with eight games. Louisville will play their first foe...Southeastern Missouri State at the KFC YUM! Center with a 7:30 tipoff. 

Louisville will get a minimum of three games...the second rounds on Nov. 12-14, semifinals on Nov. 16th and final on Sunday, Nov. 19th at 3 p.m. EST on the CBS Sports Network.

It'll be Louisville second time in the event. The Cards won the 2013...going 4-0 and defeating Oklahoma 97-92 in overtime. 

Louisville is one of three preseason top 25 schools in the ESPN early poll that are participating. The Cards are ranked 10th. Oregon is 13th and Michigan 21st. Other schools participating are Liberty, ODU, George Mason, St. Francis (PA), Toledo, Cal State Northridge, Houston, Texas A&M, Milwaukee, Drake, New Orleans and LSU. 

Can't come too soon for the 29-8 --  2016-17 Cards....who were unceremoniously dumped by Baylor in the Sweet Sixteen. Jeff Walz returns starters Myisha Hines-Allen and Asia Durr from that squad...who finished 12-4 in the ACC....plus a talented list of newcomers, veteran performers and former starter Arica Carter...who sat out 2016-17 with hip and thigh adductor surgery. 


A good early season test for Walz's squad. A chance to play a lot of different combinations against some challenging opponents and get an early heat check on team chemistry, combinations and get an early look on who will contend for the roles previously held by Jackson, the Johnsons, Walton and Moore. 

Louisville has two bona-fide stars in Durr and Hines-Allen. Jazmine Jones looks ready to be a significant contributor and Fuehring, Shook, Zambrotta, Dunham and Laemmle will all be in the battle for roles on the squad. 

Freshmen Duvall, Evans and Kakala will push for playing time as freshmen. Walz has the tools, the talent and the depth. The question is...will they be able to bring it all together?  

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


THE PAULIES

We have a list of the finalist for the five PAULIES awards categories. 

1)  THE QUICKS.   Hannah Koloski, Jazmine Jones, Jordan McNary, Brooklyn Rivers

2) GIMME THE BALL.  Maryssa Becker, Asia Durr, Melanie McHenry, Minout Mink 

3) DON'T GET COMFORTABLE SITTING DOWN. Inger Katrine Bjerke, Myisha Hines-Allen, Ayeshia McFerran, Molly Sauer, Brittany Read

4) SHE'LL GET THE CROWD BUZZING.  Jasmine Bennett, Mallory Comerford, Emmonnie Henderson, Jessica Laemmle, Sydney Zambrotta

5) MAKE SURE THE RECORDER IS ON.  Sandy Pearsall, Justine Sowry, Jeff Walz, Kellie Young.


You can vote on the Right Hand Side of the Site, you can vote in the comments section. Feel free to send your vote to cardinalcouple@twc.com. Or text it to me at 5022913651. Call me there to place it and discuss it if you wish.

Voting is open until 5/21/17. Your vote goes a long way in determining who gets the banana trophy in each category.

The PAULIES...not your average awards from your far from average website...



paulie

Asia finding her role with Mystics...The PAULIES -- Wednesday Cardinal Couple

Taylor Enjoying Mystics Early Success

For Asia Taylor, the journey to the WNBA could almost be put to the music of the Beatles. How about "The Long and Winding Road"? It's been an on-again, off again affair for her since she graduated from Louisville in 2014. She was the last pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft and went to the most powerful team in the league...the Minnesota Lynx. After that season, EuroBall in Italy with CUS Cagliari.. In 2015, she didn't make the cut for the Lynx...another trip across the Atlantic for the Columbus, OH native in Israel with Elitzur Holon and ASA Jerusalem. A season-ending stint with the Connecticut Sun in 2016 and big success in Australia with the Sydney Flames after that. An impressive travel log for a gal from Whetstone High School.

Mike Thibault, head coach of the Washington Mystics, liked what he saw in the 6'2" forward/guard. So did the Mystics ownership and management group....including Sheila Johnson, the general manager. They had made a few changes on the roster for 2017, including bringing in Elena Della Donne and Kristi Tolliver, and saw Taylor as someone who could bring energy, experience and skills to the squad as a backup. She was offered a free agent contract, came to camp and wears #31 for the current Eastern Conference leaders.


Her primary role so far this season, after an impressive preseason where she led the Mystics in scoring in one exhibition game, has been to spell Elena Della Donne. In the Mystics 101-89 win last night at Dallas, she saw 4:19 minutes of court time...starting the second quarter and taking the court for the final minute.  As the clock ran out and the her team had secured their fifth straight win, she stood by half court, calmly dribbling the ball...the Wings had given up the fight. 

There are new faces in Washington. Besides Della Donne and Tolliver, 6'5" center Krystal Thomas is in town. They also drafted former Maryland great Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and ODU star Jennie Simms. 

There is a lot to like on this roster. Della Donne can pretty much do it all. Tolliver and Ivory Latta can light it up from the deep. Tayler Hill, who shoots so horribly bad but can be called' automatic' from the free throw stripe. The guts and hustle of Tianna Hawkins and Tiarra Ruffi-Pratt. 

Asia knows her role. Asia knows that, upon completion of the season, she'll be welcomed back to the the Sydney Flames, who she led to a title in the WNBL. They love her in Sydney and check out the link to the clip below where A-Tayy breaks a few opponent ankles and does some acrobatics. 

ASIA TAYLOR - SYDNEY FLAMES

Players such as Taylor are important to any WNBA roster. Knowing you have someone on the bench that give give you the quality minutes when your star needs a rest or fouls occur. Taylor can play several positions as well, something very important in a long season where injuries can occur. Someone who injects the energy and fits the team chemistry. The Mystics have that chemistry. Ask Della Donne...who loves her new location and teammates. Who says, "I never knew playing basketball could be this fun".

Asia's money with the Mystics probably isn't close to what it is with the Flames...but it's the chance, once again, to fulfill the dream that every 12 year old girl has when they're dribbling in the driveway and playing one-on-one against dad, mom, big sis or little brothers. Getting to The Show. Playing along side or against Parker, Della Donne, Griner, Fowles, McCoughtry or Ogwumike. 
Maybe it's time for the WNBA to start putting up a little more cash on the table. 

Maybe it's time to expand again and get teams in basketball hotbeds like...did anyone say Louisville? Charleston, SC? Des Moines, IA? Knoxville? Places where they're are women's basketball fans. To see the half-empty bleachers last night in the Texas-Arlington gym was distressing. They announced the crowd at 2805. I do hope that many were actually there...but I doubt it. Do you think we could double or triple that number with a Louisville WNBA squad in the Yum! Center...or even Freedom Hall? 

Asia Taylor has traveled that long and winding road. A road that has had potholes of injuries, surgeries, rehab, watching and waiting. A road many would have turned back from travelling on.  Still traveling. Still dreaming. Still producing and still wearing that smile that can light up a room. 

Continue to play, A-Tayy. Never back down, never give up the fight. 

HIYA

Eric also likes to lead the bench in hand drills...

I also saw that ACC referee buddy Eric Brewton was one of the officials calling the game last night. Good old Eric. Making the tough and unpopular calls on all levels. It's not only you that he distresses...Coach Walz. Both coaches last night were in his ear last night presenting their viewpoints on the action. Fred Williams nearly blew an aorta valve. 

I don't think I've ever seen a crowd turn on referees as badly, though, as they did on Eric and his crew last year in the KFC YUM! Center. during the UofL vs. UK game...and I've seen a lot of refereeing over the years. You would have thought Neil Diamond had forgotten the words halfway thru Sweet Caroline or that Roseanne Barr was singing the National Anthem...judging by the booing. 

Hang in there, EB. At least you get to do a lot of travelling during the year. Even if you're way too reluctant to call it on the court...


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


THE PAULIES VOTING BEGINS

THE PAULIE AWARD

We have a list of the finalist for the five PAULIES awards categories. 

1)  THE QUICKS.   Hannah Koloski, Jazmine Jones, Jordan McNary, Brooklyn Rivers

2) GIMME THE BALL.  Maryssa Becker, Asia Durr, Melanie McHenry, Minout Mink 

3) DON'T GET COMFORTABLE SITTING DOWN. Inger Katrine Bjerke, Myisha Hines-Allen, Ayeshia McFerran, Molly Sauer, Brittany Read

4) SHE'LL GET THE CROWD BUZZING.  Jasmine Bennett, Mallory Comerford, Emmonnie Henderson, Jessica Laemmle, Sydney Zambrotta

5) MAKE SURE THE RECORDER IS ON.  Sandy Pearsall, Justine Sowry, Jeff Walz, Kellie Young.


You can vote on the Right Hand Side of the Site, you can vote in the comments section. Feel free to send your vote to cardinalcouple@twc.com. Or text it to me at 5022913651. Call me there to place it and discuss it if you wish.

Voting is open until 5/21/17. Your vote goes a long way in determining who gets the banana trophy in each category.

The PAULIES...not your average awards from your far from average website...


paulie
xxxxx

Introducing the Paulies -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

A DIFFERENT SPIN ON POST-SEASON AWARDS


You may have noticed over the years we do things a little differently here at Cardinal Couple. For, sure...we have three unique and widely diverse writers here at the site. Spanning three generations. Our intent is to promote the joy and excitement of UofL Women's Sports and most days I feel we do a pretty good job of that. Even on the days where we delve into a men's sport...it's usually something that a lot of women's sports fans at UofL have a mutual interest in following. 

So...I present THE PAULIES. A different type of award sequence. We'll compile a formal list of the nominees later this month...your input is requested and greatly appreciated...and between me, Worldwide, Case and probably a couple of other associates you've heard on our radio show...we'll rank the nominees and come up with the recipient of The Paulie for that category. We'll award a banana to the winner in each category. Or a banana milkshake if so desired. After much deliberation...I've narrowed it down to five categories.  

They are :  

1) QUICKS -- No...this isn't named for the former UofL Football wide receiver...instead, for that player who shows speed on their playing surface. The one leading the charge or the one everyone else is trying to catch or contain. They feel the need for speed and are adept at it.

Some early names would include...Hannah Koloski (Lacrosse). Jazmine Jones (Basketball). Jordan McNary (Softball) Raven Grant (Track and Field) and Brooklyn Rivers (soccer). 

2) GIMME THE BALL --  That player you want controlling the scoring in the close ones...for the last attempt or when you definitely need points, a goal or even a big stop. Strong performers.The one that coaches design the play for. 

To start, we'll look at Minout Mink (Field Hockey), Asia Durr (Basketball), Meghan Siverson (Lacrosse),  Melanie McHenry (Volleyball) and Maryssa Becker (Softball). 




3) DON'T GET COMFORTABLE SITTING DOWN. -- That player that needs to be out there as many minutes as you can play her. The one that gets the minutes, deserves the minutes and doesn't spend a lot of time sitting or standing next to the coaches. 

A few to consider...Nicole Pufahl (Softball), Ayeshia McFerran (Field Hockey), Inger Katrine Bjerke (Soccer), Molly Sauer (Volleyball) and Brittany Read (Lacrosse) 

4) SHE'LL GET THE CROWD BUZZING. -- That player who gets the crowd buzzing. The fan favorite. The one that gets a reaction when she goes in or gets ready to perform. Ms. Electricity. 

How about...Sydney Zambrotta (Basketball), Gabrielle Vincent (Soccer), Emmonnie Henderson (Track and Field), Jasmine Bennett (Volleyball), Jessica Laemmle (Basketball). 

5) MAKE SURE THE RECORDER IS ON. -- The Coach that gives the usually great, maybe comical, sometimes critical and never boring post-game quotes and comments. 

We'll offer Jeff Walz (Basketball), Kellie Young (Lacrosse), Sandy Pearsall (Softball), Justine Sowry (Field Hockey) and Karen Ferguson-Dayes (Soccer).

So...there you have it. Feel free to leave your picks in the comments section for any or all catergories. E-mail them, if you wish, to cardinalcouple@twc.com. Text me at 5022913651 if you wish. We'll compile the results and announce the finalists after due deliberation and consideration. We'll put them up for a vote over on the Right Hand Side of the Site as part of the final determination for the winner. 

The Paulies....not your average awards from the far from average web site. 



paulie
xxxxx