Spring ACC Smart Cards -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Spring Sports See Many on All-ACC Academic Teams

All-ACC Academic Teams are being announced this week, and while we haven't heard about softball yet, the remaining spring sports are well-represented in the league. Requirements for inclusion are a 3.0 GPA for the previous semester, a 3.0 cumulative GPA, and competition in at least 50 percent of the team's contests. 

Tennis announced five honorees. Allie Gretkowski (R-SR; Sports Administration) and Berta Miret (SO; Neuroscience) each earned the nod from the league for the second time. Teammates joining them for the first time were Alice Otis (JR; Marketing), Germany Davis (SO; Political Science), and Elisabeth Iila (Psychology). 

Women's golf had a touch more than a handful, with six golfers being named to the list. That group was led by Carmen Griffiths (SR; Exercise Science) picking up her third All-ACC Academic honor. Beatriz Barrios Fernandez (SR) and Millie Cottrell (SO) are both majoring in Sports Administration (SPAD) and both were honored for the second time. SPAD is a popular major among Louisville athletes, as freshman Bailey Burkett, honored for the first time, is also in that program. The other two first-time honorees were transfer Thienna Huynh (JR; Political Science) and Veronika Exposito (FR; Finance). 

Lacrosse led the way in All-ACC Academic Honors as they placed a program record 23 players on the list. Forgive me for excluding classes and majors for a list so long. You can check out  the full post from gocards here if you want to see them all. Just know that the Business School is heavily represented. 

Three-time honorees: Ava Coyle, Negai Nakazawa, Abby Scully, and Izzy Seikel

Two-time honorees: Rian Adkins, Abigail Cole, Karli Kirchenheiter, Maggie McMahon, and Ashley Osborne

First-time selections: Kelsey Commerford, Abbie Dunlap, Riley Engelberg, Charlotte Jackson, Catherine Kangas, Issy Leech, Sophie Macleod, Erin Nicholson, J Pleck, Cece Reilly, Olivia Scorggie, Ella Terrell, Morgan Vasseur, and Reese Whiteman

Congratulations to all of these Cardinals on their academic accomplishments!

Aimee Plumb Honored by CSC

Formerly identified as the CoSIDA, the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America teams have been announced and Louisville field hockey's Aimee Plumb has been named to the At-Large third-team. Plumb is receiving her second national accolade from the group, having been previously honored following the 2022-23 season. Playing in her final season as a graduate, Plumb scored four goals and had four assists, moving up to seventh in program history in points (86) and goals (30) while going to ninth in assists (26). While doing all of this, she maintained a 4.0 GPA en route to graduating with a bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Art.  

Plumb's second naming to the team makes her one of eight players on this year's list to be a repeat selection. It makes her just the second Cardinal to pick up this specific honor multiple times. Plumb joins Jessica Javelet, who made the list in three straight seasons from 2004-2006. 

A huge congratulations to Aimee for a job well done throughout her career. We'll be sorry to see Aimee not suited up for the Cards next season, but we hope to still see her around as her younger sister Chloe looks to help fill the gap in her absence. 

Until next time, Go Cards!

Case

Yevheniia Putra will add depth to Louisville WBB front line --WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 6'3" UKRAINE CENTER HAS A WEALTH OF INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE.

Jeff Walz Has done well with tall European and Russian players over his time at Louisville. Cardinal fans rave over Elif istanbulloglu, who will be a junior on the 2025-26 squad. Many Cardinals fans will remember Yuliva Tokova. Yacine Diop was invaluable for the Cards front line in her playing days  

The newest name to the "EuroCards" list is Yevheniia Putra, a 6'3" freshman that hails from Kyiv, Ukraine. She played for the Ukrainian Senior National team on the 2025 FIBA Women Eurobasket Qualifiers. She played in all six games of the qualifiers and her best performance was against Portugal where she had 13 points and three rebounds. 

She has played in multiple International league and the 20 yr. old freshman and will joiN seven returning Cards as part of a six-player incoming freshman class. There is additional height in the incoming class...with Grace Mbugna from Danville Christian measuring in at 6'5" and transfer, 6'2" Laura Ziegler from St. Joseph. 

In addition, the Cards return 6'4" Isla Juffermans from Austraila and 6'3" sophomore Anaya Hardy  are back.

It will be interesting to see how Walz forms and aligns the 2025-26 Cards. The Cards did have 6'5" Eseosa Imafidon transfer out to Providence but she was seldom used in her two years as a Cardinal. Walz will probably lean on Imari Berry, Taj Roberts and Mac Randolph in the upcoming season...and Reyna Scott comes in from Oklahoma with impressive numbers. 

We wait anxiously for the opener against UCLA in Paris. 

How about a little Grace Potter and the Nocturals to tide us over until then? 

If I was from Paris

paulie

Brittany Morris Joins UofL WBB -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Morris is Newest Asst Coach for the Cards

Photo by GoCards

Following the departure of Stephanie Norman to her alma mater Arizona State, Louisville women's basketball had an assistant coach vacancy. That has been filled with the hiring of Brittany Morris.

Morris was an assistant at NC State for the last four seasons, where she worked under Wes Moore. During her time at NC State, the Wolfpack made three Sweet Sixteens, two Elite Eights, and one Final Four. NC State also won a combined three ACC regular season and tournament championships.

Prior to her time at NC State, Morris spent a year with East Carolina and three with UNC Wilmington. She was a part of UNCW's transition to DI. Morris specialized in recruiting during her time at each school, something she will be a part of at Louisville. 

We will catch more of Coach Brittany Morris this fall for the Louisville women's basketball season.

Happy Tuesday and Go Cards!
Jared

Summer Basketball Fix -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Good morning readers, 

A quick basketball fix for the sports heads and some positive headlines for some former Cardinals... 



Dana Evans scored a season-high 18 points on 7-11 shooting for the Aces (9-9) Sunday afternoon as Las Vegas beat the Connecticut Sun 86-68 to move to an even .500 on the season.

Jeff Bottari/NBAE via Getty Images

Upcoming games

July 7, 2025

Myisha Hines- Allen is coming off a 5 point 5 rebound performance as the Wings (6-13) beat the Mercury (12-6) on 7/3.  The two will rematch tonight at 10pm. 

July, 8 2025

Emily Engstler is coming off 4 pts 5 rebounds in 20 min on the floor vs the Minnesota Lynx on 7/3. The match up with the Sky is scheduled for 11:30 am for some reason....

As Always, 
Go Cards 

~Daryl 

Enjoying the Extended Weekend -- SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Cardinal Couple Summer Break Continues

Photo by UofL Magazine

With much of the Cardinal Couple crew out traveling and myself hosting company from out of town, we are taking a small break from our regular reporting to enjoy a bit of a summer break. Don't worry, we are only a month and a half away from the first UofL women's sport picking up.

Until then, we all plan to enjoy our holiday weekend with some relaxation... if the post-4th of July firework parties around the neighborhood can stop. Our neighborhood had fireworks going off well past midnight for about the 10th night in a row. 

Wishing everyone a happy holiday weekend. Happy Sunday and Go Cards!

Jared

Cardinal Couple on Vacay -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

CC Summer Break

With the 4th of July falling on a Friday, that means that it's a summer break three-day weekend, which means everyone is gone. There also just so happens to be no news this week, so it's a good time for a short and sweet "Gone Fishin'" post. 

I don't think any of us will actually be fishing this weekend, but the Cardinal Couple crew are scattered to the wind this week. As we mentioned, the podcast will take a break this week with eyes on returning next Saturday. 

Wishing you and yours a safe and happy holiday weekend. 

Until next time, Go Cards!

Case

Happy 4th of July !! -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

FRIDAYS WITH DARYL

Happy 4th of July. We hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend whatever your plans may be.


Track and Field XC

Some news from yesterday, the ACC announced that the conference championship meet will take place on Oct. 31, 2025, at Tom Sawyer State Park.


from gocards.com

    The University of Louisville has been named the host institution for the 2025         ACC Cross Country Championships.

    The Louisville track & field and cross country programs have now been selected     to host an ACC championship meet in three of the last four seasons after             hosting the ACC Indoor Track & Field Championships in both 2023 and 2025.

    The 2025 ACC Cross Country Championships will be staged at E.P. "Tom"             Sawyer State Park, the site of the 2015 and 2017 NCAA Division I Cross             Country Championships, on October 31, 2025.

    This will mark the second time in program history that Louisville has acted as         the host institution for the ACC Cross Country Championships, having also         hosted the event in 2017.

As always, 
Go Cards

~Daryl 

Cards Takeover on ACCN -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Louisville Owns ACCN Today   

As happens regularly during the offseason, the ACC Network has program "takeover" days scheduled this summer. Louisville takes a prime spot with the day heading into a holiday weekend, so if you're missing Cardinal sports, today is a great day to get your fix. 

Unfortunately, two of the women's replays have already come and gone. WBB vs Florida State aired at 2am eastern time and softball vs Notre Dame immediately followed it at 4. The other overnight games were football vs SMU (midnight) and MBB vs Clemson at 6. Wrapping up the morning will be a replay of one of the Miami vs Louisville super regional baseball games, which got underway at 8am. 

There will be a midday break before another baseball replay, this one the win over Oregon State in Omaha, gets started at 2PM. A big volleyball match takes the first evening slot with a replay of #3 Wisconsin vs #6 Louisville starting at 5. That was a fun one, and it's the last opportunity for a women's replay on the day. Nothing But Net with Pat Kelsey as a guest will air at 7 and 7:30 before the final game of the day is football vs Clemson at 8pm. 

It should be a fun stroll down memory lane, but it won't do much to hold us over. Only about six weeks left until fall sports get underway!

Until next time, Go Cards!

Case

The Louies -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

The Louies Final Awards

Photo by GoCards

The 2025 "The Louies" Award Banquet was held earlier this week. Following the conclusion of each school year, The Louies recognizes various categories such as leadership awards, newcomers, team moments, and special awards. Here are all of them women's sports winners:

UPS Leadership Award - Female

Gabi Albiero, Swim and Dive

Outstanding Seniors

Baylie McClellan, Ladybirds

Taylor Johnson, All Girl Cheer

Lindsey Hyden, Coed Cheer

Olivia Watson, Pep Band

Nayelis Cabello / Photo by Jared

Staff Support Member

Baylee Burke

Newcomer of the Year - Female

Nayelis Cabello, Volleyball

Tajianna Roberts, Basketball

Louisville Volleyball / Photo by Jared

Moment of the Year - Female

Volleyball defeating Pittsburgh in the Final Four to advance to the National Championship

Athletic Director Award

Anna DeBeer, Volleyball

Elena Scott, Volleyball

Jayden Ulrich, Track and Field

Anna DeBeer / Photo by Jared

Adidas High Performance Award - Female

Synclair Savage, Track and Field

Elena Scott / Photo by Jared

We were fortunate to witness many of these student-athletes and moments in person this past season. While some of these student-athletes have seen their collegiate careers come to a close, we still get to see some of them don a Louisville uniform next season.

Happy Wednesday and Go Cards!

Jared

Synclair Savage Named ACC Women's Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Savage Joins Two Other Cardinals Over Last Four Years

Photo by GoCards

Following an incredibly successful outdoor spring season, Synclair Savage was named the ACC Women's Outdoor Athlete of the Year. Savage won the NCAA East Regional long jump with a mark of 6.64m. This qualified her for the NCAA Championships, where she set a program record in the same event with a 6.72m mark, winning the national championship.

Savage joined Jayden Ulrich (2024) and Gabriela Leon (2022) as recent UofL women's track and field athletes to earn the honor. 

She finishes her collegiate career having one of the most decorated seasons in Louisville history. Savage won six of the seven events she competed in this season. Five of the top 10 marks in program history came this season from the fifth-year senior.

As we have hit the halfway point of the 2025 and Louisville's fiscal year, we can now fully turn our attention to the upcoming fall sports season.

Happy Tuesday and Go Cards!

Jared