UofL womens sports pulls off the hat trick on Sunday

MONDAY @ CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Volleyball turns back Ohio in five sets

-Field Hockey blanks Central Michigan 9-0

-Soccer bests Bucknell 2-0

-Your weekly PANERA winner

-RACHEL runs second to longshot

University of Louisville women's sports teams swept the board and won all three events Sunday. If there was ever a better way to begin the week, it would be hard to fathom.

The Volley Cards, led by tournament MVP Anastasia Artemeva pictured here, outlasted tough Ohio University to win the Louisville Invitational in 5 sets...23-25, 25-22, 25-22, 16-25 15-9. It wasn't an easy win for the Cardinals but team play helped them finally turn back the Bobcats. Louisville fell behind early in the first match and despite a late rally that saw them take a 20-19 lead, couldn't catch Ohio and fell by two points. The Cards fought back in the second game and finally pulled away late to even the sets at 1-1...winning by three.

Louisville started out the third game with a 6-1 lead but Ohio battled back to tie the contest at 9-9. The Cards regained their confidence though and went on a run to take a 18-12 advantage and go on to win game 3 by 3. Game four was tight early but Ohio used a 9-4 run to grab a 13-9 lead that they would increase upon and even the match at 2-2...winning by nine.

In the final contest, Louisville jumped out to a 6-1 lead, thanks to some strong serving, but saw the Bobcats roar back and climb within one at 8-7. The Cards regained the momentum after that and took seven out of the final nine points to win the game by six and take the match.

Louisville got strong net play from Artemeva with 12 kills in the five game match. Teammates Gwen Rucker and Lola Arslanbekova also had 12 kills and Emily Juhl added 11. Taylor Brauneis led the squad with 36 assists.

Lindsey Mango and Juhl joined Artemeva on the All-Tournament team for Louisville. The Cards travel to Lexington Wednesday for a match against rival Kentucky.

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

Pam Bustin's field hockey squad rebounded nicely from Saturday's loss to Duke to whitewash Central Michigan 9-0 in the consolation game of the Champions Challenge at Michigan State. Nicole Youman tied a team record by scoring five goals in the win. Louisville roared out to a 6-0 halftime lead against the Chippewas and coasted in for the victory. Louisville struck early in the contest with Youman knocking one in just two minutes into the contest. Just a few minutes later a Youman shot was tipped in by Amber Thomas to make it 2-0. Youman scored the third goal of the game seven minutes into the game on an assist from Thomas.

Rachel Hollenbach joined the scoring frenzy for goal 4 off an assist from Youman. The half drew to a close with Youman scoring on two unassisted goals, putting the Cards up by six.

The second half saw Louisville increase the margin to seven on a second Hollenbach score off a Thomas set up and Youman increased it to 8-0 minutes later on a penalty shot with assists from Jenna Ahern and Hayley Turner. Thomas closed out the UofL scoring late in the game on another penalty shot...Ahern and Karah Nall assisting.

The Cards outshot the Chippewas 38-3 in the game and goalie Erin Conrad got the shutout with two saves. The road trip continues for The Flock with a trip to Harrisonburg, VA. to face James Madison on the 4th and American University the 6th.

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

Soccer stayed undefeated with a big win in the Gamecock Courtyard Classic finals over Bucknell 2-0. The contest started out a defensive battle before Angelika Uremovich got Louisville on the board with a long attempt that slid into the net 19 minutes into the contest. Lousiville took that 1-0 lead into halftime and protected it until late in the game when Julie Casselman slipped by the Bucknell goalie and knocked in an uncontested shot for the final margin.

The Cards placed goalkeeper Taylor Vancil on the All-Tournament team and she took MVP honors as well for her stingy goal allowance during the tournament. Cardinals joining her were Christine Exeter, Caitlin Rehder and Uremovich.

The Cards (3-0) kicked their way to a 19-6 advantage in shots in the final and are now off to their best start to a season since 2007. They return to action Friday Night in Cardinal Park...hosting Toledo.

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

Kenny Clay is the proud owner of $10 in PANERA gift cards with his response on why he likes PANERA:

"I travel around the area as a sales rep and I can dine at Panera in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green and Owensboro. Even in Evansville. It's the same good food and friendly faces no matter which location I'm in. It's a relief to see that PANERA sign off the highway when I am travelling because I know I am going to get a good breakfast or lunch."

Good summation Kenny. This week will be the final week to win PANERA Gift Cards. Thanks to all who have submitted entries and good luck in the final week!

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

RACHEL ALEXANDRA dueled with LIFE AT TEN for most of the Personal Ensign Stakes on Sunday at Saratoga...but it was longshot PERSISTENTLY that snuck up on the two in the stretch and passed to win. PERSISTENTLY has the champion filly PERSONAL ENSIGN in her bloodlines but was overlooked by the betting public. RACHEL ALEXANDRA finished second with a game try late to keep up with the flying winner...but it looks like a mile and a quarter just might be a little too far for Calvin Borel's mount to run...

An across the board wager on RACHEL ALEXANDRA didn't return quite what you wagered on it, but an exacta box wheel with RACHEL and all did double your investment money. With the loss, the owner and trainer of the 3 yr. old filly must now decide whether to place her in the shorter LADIES CLASSIC Friday in the Breeders Cup or try the tougher CLASSIC at 1-1/4 miles on Saturday. Here's guessing they opt for the LADIES CLASSIC... avoiding a tussle against ZENYATTA and some tough males that will go in the CLASSIC.