Thursday, October 16, 2025
WBB in Preseason Polls -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Two WBB Cards Named To Pre-season All-ACC Team -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
ROBERTS & ZIEGLER GARNER PRE-SEASON HONORS
You know basketball season is getting close when the preseason teams and awards start to get posted and we have good news today about two of the student-athletes on Jeff Walz's 2025-26 Louisville WBB squad.
Since yesterday was National Dessert Day, what could be a sweeter treat than having Tajianna Roberts and Laura Ziegler named to the 2025 All-ACC pre-season team?
Hannah Hildago |
They join top vote-getter Hannah Hildago (Notre Dame), Nunu Agara (Stanford), Zoe Brooks (North Carolina State), Kymora Johnson (Virginia), Toby Fournier (Duke), Ashlon Jackson (Duke), Khamil Pierre (NC State) and Reniya Kelly (UNC) on the ACC first team.
One bit of news that isn't exactly frosting on the cake or Creme Brulee is the news that the government shutdown might affect the Cards planned trip to Germany to face UConn on a Air Force base.
Jeff Walz: "Our first game, as you know, is on our Air force base... if we (the government) open back up. We're closed right now -- our country"
Taj Roberts on the potential trip: "I'm really looking forward to going. I think Walz really makes a point to help us enjoy life as a whole....and understand that after basketball, there is going to be life. We got to go to Paris. It was really fun. Now, Germany. I'm sure we'll do a lot of cool things out there and be able to play at the highest level. UConn, they won the National Championship last year..so we are coming out with a bang and I am really excited for it.'
Other options include moving the game to either the KFC YUM! Center or even a UConn site.
In the pre-season team rankings...Duke has gathered the most votes...with 40 of the 70 possible. Following them, in order, are NC State (25), North Carolina, Louisville, Notre Dame, Stanford, Virginia, Miami, FSU, Virginia Tech, Clemson, California, Syracuse, SMU, Georgia Tech, Pitt. Boston College and Wake Forest.
Being picked fourth overall in such a strong conference is encouraging, especially with such a young team and transfer-laden squad.
We will keep you up on all the latest UofL WBB news here at Cardinal Couple.
paulie
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Late Season Updates for Fall Sports -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
Updates for 'Big Three' Fall Sports
Late October means that the 'big three' of the fall women's sports enter the tail end of their respective seasons. We'll take a look to see how each of them are doing.
Field Hockey
Record: 6-7
ACC Record: 0-3
Status: On life support
The ACC schedule continues to be brutal for the Cards. Their back-to-back losses came against top-10 teams Duke and North Carolina. Louisville has only lost by three scores or more twice this season so they have been competitive in most matches. Louisville cannot seem to get over the hump this year and their NCAA Tournament chances are just about gone.
Women's Soccer
Record: 11-3-1
ACC Record: 4-2-1 (5th in ACC)
Status: Exceeding way beyond expectations
The surprise team for UofL this year is women's soccer. After several years of .500 being the norm, the Cards have their highest win total since 2019 and should be a lock for the NCAA Tournament even with three matches left in the regular season. The ACC Tournament only takes six teams and with a match against #1 Virginia on the horizon, Louisville definitely needs positive results against NC State and SMU to remain in contention. Still, I don't see the Cards missing out at the national level.
Volleyball
Record: 14-2
ACC Record: 6-0 (tied-1st in ACC)
Status: Sitting comfortably
There were gripes from fans following the losses to Texas and Kentucky, but both teams are currently in the top three and both matches went five sets. The Cards still have wins over ranked Stanford and Creighton, both on the road. A new coach and some new faces on the starting rotation haven't changed a thing with Louisville being a Final Four contender. Hosting #8 SMU and #6 Pitt this weekend will be a tough task and will give us a better glimpse at how Louisville will fare the rest of the season.
Happy Tuesday and Go Cards!
Jared
Monday, October 13, 2025
WSoc FH and VB recaps -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
Good morning
It was a cup filling weekend for myself, I hope you as well! Thanks for coming back to check in with the joys and excitement of UofL Women's sports.
Students are back from Fall break and it was a very busy Sunday afternoon so lets hop right into the recaps for the Cardinals.
Field Hockey
Louisville 0 - UNC 3
In the game, North Carolina outshot Louisville 23-2 with a 7-0 edge in shots on goal and a 12-2 advantage in penalty corners. Alessia Cicuto (1-1) and Emily Young each collected a pair of saves in the contest.
Louisville had a scoring opportunity in the fourth quarter, earning back-to-back penalty corners, but a pair of shots by Annabel Sep were turned back by the Carolina defense to keep the Cards at bay.
UP NEXT
Volleyball
Louisville 3 - Virginia 1
Louisville moves to 14-2, 6-0 on the season as they hosted the Virginia Caveliers defeating them in 4 sets 25-11, 25-21, 23-25, 25-17 and boasting a .396 hitting percentage on the day with 71 kills, 63 digs, four service aces and four blocks.
Kalyssa Blackshear knocked down a team-high 20 kills, and Cara Cresse posted 16 kills of her own, both new career highs. Outside hitters Chloe Chicoine and Payton Petersen each recorded their sixth double-double of the year. Chicoine tabbed 12 kills and 16 digs, while Petersen added 14 kills and 13 digs. Setter/libero Hannah Kenny served three of the Cards' aces, with Chicoine adding the other ace. Kenny dug 11 balls and libero Kamden Schrand added 12 of her own in the win. Middle blocker Hannah Sherman stuffed two solo blocks and combined for one block assist to lead the defense.
UP NEXT
Women's Soccer
Louisville 1 - Boston College 0
The Louisville women's soccer team picked up another road conference with and are now 11-3-1, 4-2-1 in the ACC. It was a 1-0 win over Boston College (4-6-5, 0-5-2 ACC) Sunday afternoon at Newton Soccer Field.
That goal was all the Cards needed as Erynn Floyd made three saves on the afternoon. Boston College looked to equalize in the 19th minute coming off a corner kick. After the corner was deflected to the top of the box, the Eagles had a point blank shot on goal that was saved away by Floyd. The Eagles got to the rebound and put another shot on net but Floyd was able to make the save.
Cards took the 1-0 lead into the half. The Cardinals held a 13-3 shot advantage and 6-2 shot on goal advantage over the first 45 minutes of play.
In the second half, the Louisville defense stood tall and allowed just four shots and only one made it on frame. Floyd was able to make the save for her third of the afternoon to close out the win for the Cards and collect her eighth shutout of the season.
Louisville will be hosting Senior Day!
As Always
Go Cards!
~Daryl
Sunday, October 12, 2025
Cards womens' sports play three on Sunday -- SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
WSOC, FIELD HOCKEY AND VOLLEYBALL ALL PLAY ON SUNDAY
It'll be a busy Sunday for you if you like to follow UofL women's sports.
WSOC is visiting Boston College, Volleyball hosts Virginia and Field Hockey visits UNC. Let's take a look at the upcoming battles.
WOMEN'S SOCCER AT BOSTON COLLEGE
The kickin' Cards go northeast to face an Eagles squad that is 4-5-5 overall and 0-4-2 in the ACC. Losses to Pitt, UNC NC ST and Stanford aren't going to get you into post season, either in the ACC Tournament or the NCAA Tournament.
It's a noon game, available on ACCNX and Louisville arrives after going 1-1-1 in their last three games...10 wins over the Cards on the season so far, with just three losses and one tie. 3-2-1 in the ACC isnt exactly stellar for UofL WSOC, but it means the Cards are 7-1 out of conference. They are, however, 1-3-1 on the road. BC is that bad, though, and Louisville should get the win in Beantown.
FIELD HOCKEY AT UNC
The Tar Heels are 4-1 at home and the Louisville "stick girls" are 0-2 on the road. oh, yeah, UNC is ranked #3 in the DI coaches poll..the Cards are 19th but just 6-6 overall.
You could definitely say that a Cardinals win in Chapel Hill would be a huge upset.
Coach Erin Matson, a pretty fair player "back in the day" and head coach at UNC has instilled in the Heels that same fighting spirit and striving for success that she had. after all, she won the national title at UNC in her first year of coaching...at the tender age of 23.
There is a good article on Erin if you read Women's Health magazine. You can access it:
It's a noon game as well and can be viewed on ACC Network.
VOLLEYBALL HOSTS VIRGINIA
13-2 Louisville Volleyball brings in the "Hoos" or Virginia if you will...the serve and spike gals will play this one in the LNFCUA (Louisville and Nashville Federal Credit Union Arena) and draws a 1 p.m. start.
Virginia is 8-7 on the season overall but only 1-4 in ACC play. The Cavaliers have lost...in conference...to Stanford, California, Boston College and Notre Dame and only beaten syracuse...in five sets.
it'll be ACCNX for viewing, don't expect to just walk up and gain admission, from what our photographer tells me, it's maybe the hardest seat to get in all of UofL sports. Dan Meske has handled the coaching transition well,,,but...seriously...shouldn't this team being playing in an arena that seats more than 1,000 all the time at home?
THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR PODCAST
It was Case, Jared and me (Paulie) on the weekly podcast. Daryl was out drowning golf balls somewhere and could not join us.
A very good podcast, as we covered the three main UofL women's fall sports, Peytona/Waddy (or is it Waddy/Peytona?), visiting in-laws, home improvements. puppies and other worldly matters.
OK, maybe not other worldly matters...but it deserves a listen and you can hear it HERE
paulie
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Volleyball Sweeps Again; FH Falls Short -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
Cards Continue ACC Win Streak
FH Drops Close Match at Duke
Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast
Friday, October 10, 2025
WSoc draws at WF -- FH and VB Preview -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
The Cardinals went on the road and squeaked out a 1-1 draw with the #13 Demon Deacs. Its the first tie for UofL this season moving them to 10-3-1. The equalizer came on a late goal from Liza Suydam in the 81st minute assisted by Betsy Huckaby.

Volleyball Preview
Virginia Tech is holding a 9-6 (1-3 in the ACC) record. After sweeping their first two opponents of the season, the Hokies suffered a head scratching loss to Lindenwood in a 5-setter. They are coming off a 3-1 win vs Boston College and a 1-3 loss to Syracuse this past weekend. Against BC, the first set was won 30-28 by the Hokies.
Junior outside hitter Payton Woods logged 20 kills in VT's win over Boston College on Oct. 5. Woods has recorded double-digit kills in 11 of Virginia Tech's 15 matches this season.
The Hokies are second in the conference in total aces, serving 106 on the year.
FH Preview
The Cardinals are hitting the road to North Carolina where they will face #9 Duke on Friday evening with opening play set for 6pm. This one will be available on the ACCNX.
The Blue Devils are 7-4 on the season with a 2-2 ACC record. Last weekend Duke lost 1-0 to #2 Virginia in double OT on Friday and won 5-0 over #19 JMU Sunday. All four of their losses coming against current top six teams – No. 1 Northwestern (0-1), No. 2 Virginia (0-1, 2OT) No. 5 Syracuse (0-1) and No. 6 Liberty (3-4).
Duke leads the series record 15-9 with the Cards going 2-8 on the road vs the Blue Devils. The last time the two faced off was a year ago when Duke won 3-0 at Trager Stadium.
Alaina McVeigh leads the Blue Devil offense with 7 goals and 4 assists while Julia Boehringer follows closely with 7 goals and 3 assists.
Kaiya Chepow, goalkeeper for Duke stands second in the ACC and five in the nation with a 0.87 goals against average.
Fun Fact:
The Blue Devils are coached by Pam Bustin, who is in her 15th season at Duke. Prior to that, Bustin spent 13 seasons (1998-2010) as Louisville's head coach.
Justine Sowry served as an assistant under Bustin at UofL from 1998-2002. She was named Louisville's head coach following the 2010 season.
Go Cards
Thursday, October 9, 2025
WSOC Takes on Wake Forest -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
Cards Face #13 Deacs in Winston-Salem
Gigs spots Jared snapping a photo |
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
FH Blanks Bellarmine 6-0 -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
FIVE CARDS SCORE IN UOFL'S WINNING OF THE FH BATTLE OF EASTERN PKWY 6-0 OVER BELLARMINE
Louisville Field Hockey got two goals from Mary Wordelmann and allowed just one Bellarmine shot in the 6-0 shutout win over crosstown DI foe Bellarmine Tuesday afternoon at Trager field.
Lauren Masters, Emily Eaton, Chloe Cuzzupe and Tyler Everslage were the other Cards to score for the Justine Sowry's squad...which improved to 6-5 on the season. Bellarmine drops to 2-10 with the loss.
The Cards starters were Parker, Masters, Tatum Kroon, Eaton, Izzy Bianco, Annabel Sep, Cuzzupe, Everslage, Rylie Wollerton, Luciana Carpenter and Alessia Cucito in goal
The Cards scored three goals in the first quarter...starting with a Everslage pass to Eaton, who fond the net for her first goal of the season...with 12:57 left in the first frame. Three and one half minutes later, it was Cuzzupe getting a feed from Gigi Edwards and finding net success for her third goal of the season. The quarter's final goal came when closed when Masters was assisted by Sophia Parker and got her third score of the season.
The two squads battled through a scoreless second quarter. The Cards did get four shots off, but Bellarmine came up with three saves to send the squads into halftime with UofL leading 3-0
The Cards added a goal in the third quarter to go up 4-0 and tacked on two more in the fourth quarter on three shots for the final 6-0 score.
The victory was Justine Sowry's 250th career win and she had this to say after the contest.:
"We tried to get different combinations in today. It was fun to see it actually work and for a defender to be up there and able to finish a nice goal. Hopefully it will give the team a bit of confidence that we can play good hockey and finish on the scoreboard"
It was the highest goal total for the Cards so far this year and also their last non-conference game of the regular season.
The Cards take to the road next...for a Friday night tilt at #6 Duke. It's a 6 p.m. contest and will be on ACCNX.
paulie
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
FH Hosts Bellarmine -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
Cards Welcome Bellarmine to Trager
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Who needs rain when you have water cannons |
Louisville field hockey looks to renew the crosstown rivalry with Bellarmine. The Knights will travel a few minutes down Eastern Parkway to face Louisville. Trager Stadium is the host stadium for both schools but Louisville will be the home team.
The Cards have seen ups and downs this season with a loaded schedule. They sit at 5-5 on the year and have lost two straight, both ACC games. Three of those losses have come against top 15 opponents, but Louisville also has a couple wins against ranked foes.
UofL has outscored opponents 24-19 on the season. Four of the five losses came by two goals or less while the wins have shown a mix of close games and blowouts.
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Can you spot the butterfly in the foreground? |
Bellarmine enters the match with a 2-9 record. Their pair of wins came against Longwood and Ohio. In their most recent outing, the Knights fell to Queens University of Charlotte.
This is the first regulation match between Louisville and Bellarmine since 1999. The Cards lead the all-time series 17-1-3.
The match is set to start at 5:00pm and will be aired on ACCNX. Due to the early start time, Cardinal Couple may not have in-person coverage. Weather may also be a factor, which we will monitor for any schedule changes.
Happy Tuesday and Go Cards!
Jared