Lady Cards 2011 Schedule with commentary...Rebecca Greenwell adds schools.

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-2011-12 Women's basketball schedule and
commentary from Jenny O'Bryan

-Rebecca Greenwell adds schools.

The University of Louisville women's basketball schedule below and Jenny O' Bryan's take on it.

DATE                                OPPONENT

Sunday Oct. 30th.              Lindsey Wilson (exhibition)
Sunday Nov. 13th.              at Missouri State
Tuesday Nov. 15th.             at Texas A&M   ESPN
Thursday Nov. 17th.           at Eastern Kentucky University
Sunday Nov. 20th.              Xavier
Tuesday Nov. 22nd.            Austin Peay
Friday Nov. 25th.               at Florida State
Saturday Nov. 26th.           at Florida A&M
Tuesday Nov. 29th.            Murray State
Sunday Dec. 4th.               at Kentucky
Saturday Dec. 10th.           Gardner-Webb
Wednesday Dec. 14th.        *Cincinnati
Saturday Dec. 17th.           at Portland
Monday Dec. 19th.             at Washington State
Wednesday Dec. 28th.        UT-Martin
Tuesday Jan. 3rd.              * Marquette
Sunday Jan. 8th.               * at St. John  ESPN
Wednesday Jan. 11th.        * South Florida
Saturday Jan. 14th.              * at Rutgers
Wednesday Jan. 18th.        * Providence
Sunday Jan. 22nd.              * at Georgetown  ESPN
Saturday Jan. 28th.           * Villanova
Tuesday Jan. 31st.             * at DePaul  CBS COLLEGE SPORTS
Saturday Feb. 4th.             * at West Virginia
Tuesday Feb. 7th.              * Connecticut  CBS COLLEGE SPORTS
Saturday Feb. 11th.           * Syracuse
Tuesday Feb. 14th.            * at Pittsburgh
Monday Feb. 20th.            * Notre Dame ESPN
Saturday Feb. 25th.           * DePaul
Monday Feb. 27th.             * at Seton Hall

* BIG EAST GAMES

(CARDINAL COUPLE Staff Columnist Jenny O' Bryan weighs in on the schedule)

I am especially interested in the conference portion of the schedule. I have been so excited to get UConn and Notre Dame at the YUM! Center and show them what great fans the Lady Cards have. I envision at least one of those games being the annual PACK THE HOUSE game and the fan support at 22,000 strong.

You can understand my disappointment, though, to see that the UConn game is on a Tuesday night and the Notre Dame game on a Monday night. It makes me wonder if the YUM! CENTER and UofL will open the upper deck for these two games...since they're on a school/work night and they're being televised. I'm hopeful we can still pack the house on these nights and show the Huskies and Fighting Irish a good time in the YUM!. By good time, I mean a good game, but one in which we still come out on top. This the year that we can beat the Huskies. What better place to do it than on our home court in front of a packed house. I know we have the best fan base in women's college hoops. National TV only helps spread the word about Cardinal Nation.

Speaking of national TV, the Lady Cards have six games being televised this season. Two home games and four road contests. ESPN will show four...CBS College Sports the other two. I'm excited to be able to watch several of the away games on TV and to travel to a couple of close away games against EKU and UK, too.

MArkie MArk is bringing friends to
UofL women's hoops this year. You should, too.

The long-awaited season is nearing. Mark your calenders. It is almost time to don the red & black and settle into the YUM! and watch this talented group of ladies take the court. Bring a friend with you. You just might be responsible for creating a new fan of UofL women's basketball. And, your friend will thank you....

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Rebecca Greenwell has doubled the list of schools she's considering. The #5 ranked player in the 2013 class...according to Hoopsgurlz...has added Georgia, Florida, Notre Dame and LOUISVILLE to her list. Her other schools are Duke, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky.

The 6'1" guard at Owensboro (KY) Catholic will be participating for the USA in the FIBA 3x3 Youth World Championships in Rimini, Italy from Sept. 9-11.

Greenwell's expansion of schools can be viewed in many different ways. We're going with the assumption that she's a big fan of the SEC...since five of the eight schools she's listed are SEC...but the BIG EAST is growing on her. Gotta wonder if the hiring of Samantha Williams at UofL as an assistant coach put the Cards on her expanded list. Or maybe it's the potential of playing in front of the second largest women's college basketball fan base in the nation....in the state of the art KFC YUM! Center.
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Sancho Lyttle's buzzer beater stops Fever...Charmaine Tay..what role will she play?

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CARDINAL COUPLE WEDNESDAY

-Atlanta knocks off Indiana 92-90

-WE look at...Charmaine Tay.

Sancho saves another one for Atlanta

The Atlanta Dream rallied from a six point deficit with under two minutes to go last night and knocked off the Indiana Fever 92-90 in Indianapolis  Atlanta. A steal by guard Armintie Price led to a pass to Sancho Lyttle who drained a jumper with 0.9 left and broke the 90-90 tie.

Louisville's Angel McCoughtry led all scorers with 28 points. The Dream improves to 16-13 with the win and is arguably the hottest team in the WNBA as the league rolls into its final few games before the playoffs begin.

Atlanta led 23-19 after the first quarter but found themselves trailing by three at halftime in Philips Arena. Indiana (19-10) still held a 73-69 advantage as the teams went into the final quarter. Other Dream scorers in double figures were Price with 16, Lyttle...who had 14 points and 11 boards and Lindsey Harding with 11.

Atlanta plays Washington back-to-back next...at the Mystics on Thursday 9/1 and back in Atlanta on Friday 9/2.

(Thanks to the several readers who corrected us on the game location. We have demoted Co-Co from proof-reader/fact-checker and sent her back to banana inventory responsibilities...which is probably a huge mistake.)

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WE'VE been looking at some of the Lady Cards on Jeff Walz's roster for the 2011-12 season and today we turn our attention to sophomore guard Charmaine Tay. One of the top five in the state of New Jersey at Bloomfield Tech her senior year, Tay headed to Louisville as part of the highly regarded and ranked 2010 recruiting class. Out of the six girls that arrived on the UofL campus in the fall of 2010, we'd say that Tay's performance over the 2010-11 season was second best...behind Shoni Schimmel's electrifying freshman year. 

Tay came off the bench for 30 games for Louisville last year...averaging 3.4 points per game and 15.6 minutes of playing time. It wasn't till the end of the Lady Cards season, though...that Tay's impact really began to be felt. Without a doubt, her steady point guard control and free throw shooting helped seal the win over Xavier in the NCAA Tournament. A strong performance in the NCAA game against Vanderbilt preceded that and quality minutes and nine points against Notre Dame in the BIG EAST Tournament showed Cardinal fans that she was a fearless and capable point guard who had no fears in driving to the basket or setting up her teammates .

Freshmen respond in different ways to their first year of college basketball. Some are like Shoni Schimmel, who come charging out of the blocks like Tyson Gay and never slow down. Others take time to develop, discover their roles on a team and fulfill them. Some realize that what they thought might happen isn't going to and they move on to a different venue to achieve their dreams. In Charmaine's case, the learning curve took a little time to develop...but once it did, Cardinal fans discovered a talented and fearless point guard who you wanted directing from the point late in tight game situations.

Charmaine Tay will battle for a point guard role.

How will it translate to the upcoming season? Obviously, the guard positions at UofL have more depth and options than a kid in a superstore candy outlet or the menu at Wendy's.
Playing time on Denny Crum Court is going to be earned by hustle, defense and play making abilities...especially when rugged BIG EAST conference play rolls around in January.

Early on - especially against some of the weaker opponents on Louisville's non-conference schedule - Cardinal fans will see a myriad of player combinations and situations as Coach Walz formulates a blueprint that will ensure success against Connecticut, Rutgers, Notre Dame and DePaul. A capable, productive point guard that can feed the many scoring options on the court and that can create opportunities on defense and in the transition game will be a priority.  WE expect that patrons in the KFC YUM Center seats will see plenty of Tay, Jude, Bria, Shoni and even Shelby early on...directing the offense and vying for court time. It may end up being a case where no one player gains a distinct advantage of the others at point guard...but Charmaine Tay certainly has displayed the skills and talent to try and claim the title. We'll look for consistency and chemistry out of whoever guides the ball across the timeline...and if Tay can build upon her season-ending accolades...don't be surprised to see her on the court in the late season battles that lay ahead for the Lady Cards.

Louisville will depend heavily on the "Sho and Mo Show" this season...and Cierra Warren looks to be the beast of the post. Asia Taylor had an impressive Canadian trip and has proven she can rebound and score..but, remember...someone will need to dish, distribute and create scoring opportunities for the terrific three & the talented Taylor. Charmaine Tay has her application in for that position. Let's see how she does. 
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Lady Cards release 2011 WBB non conference schedule...Mercedes Russell ranked #1

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TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-WBB releases non-conference schedule

-Russell ranked #1

(Notes from the deserted lobby of the Ramada Inn. At least they play good music...)

The University of Louisville has released the Lady Cards WBB non-conference schedule for 2011. Thirteen games, one exhibition and seven of them in the KFC YUM! Center. Here's the list:

Sunday Oct. 30th.         Lindsey Wilson (exhibition)
Sunday Nov. 13th.        Missouri State
Tuesday Nov.15th.       at Texas A&M
Thursday Nov. 17th.     at Eastern Kentucky
Sunday Nov. 20th.        Xavier
Tuesday Nov. 22nd.      Austin Peay
Friday Nov. 25th.         at Florida State
Saturday Nov. 26th.     at Florida A&M
Tuesday Nov. 29th       Murray State
Sunday Dec. 4th.          at Kentucky
Saturday Dec. 10th.     Gardner-Webb
Saturday Dec. 17th.     at Portland
Monday Dec. 19th        at Washington State
Wednesday Dec. 28th.  UT-Martin

Coach Walz weighed in on the lineup:

"We are excited about the new home and home series against Texas A&M and Florida State. We are also excited to add two in-state schools in Eastern Kentucky and Murray State this season. This is the toughest non-conference schedule we have had in my five years at Louisville. Playing Texas A&M, Florida State and Kentucky on the road will give us a lot of opportunities to improve with each game and prepare for the BIG EAST schedule."

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(CARDINAL COUPLE would like to introduce staff columnist Jenny O'Bryan to you. She just may be the true definition of a Lady Cards WBB fan and she brings us a great piece on Louisville target Mercedes Russell. Jenny excels in recruiting scoop and we hope she'll keep us up-to-date on the latest news about future Lady Cards. Welcome aboard, Jenny...and keep up the good work!)

RUSSELL tops Hoopgurlz list for 2013
by Jenny O' Bryan

Mercedes Russell is a name all Lady Cardinal fans will want to know. This high school junior just may be the biggest recruit to consider Louisville ever. (At least this writer hopes so)

Mercedes is from Springfield, OR. This time last year, Mercedes was a virtual unknown outside of Oregon...under the radar...as HOOPGURLZ noted.  Fast forward to May 2011 and this young woman headed to the USA basketball U 16 trials. She exploded on the scene - making the squad and helping bring home the gold. In the process, she set five USA U16 records.

Early this summer, HOOPGURLZ released a top 25 prospect list for 2013. Mercedes was ranked #4. She continued her fabulous summer after the U16 games and in the most recent HOOPGURLZ ranking, she is #1.

Guess what? This #1 recruit in the nation for 2013 is considering Louisville!

She visited Louisville upon her return from the U16 games in Mexico...along with trips to Tennessee and Kentucky. It was later reported that all three schools offered her a scholarship. There will certainly be a lot more offers before she can sign a national letter-of-intent in November 2012.

This is where it gets really exciting for me, as a fan of both Mercedes and the Lady Cards. Coach Walz has made huge inroads in Oregon by signing the Schimmel sisters and has created a large Louisville WBB fan base on the west coast. Add to this that the Lady Cards took a summer trip to the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Canada and will also play two games in the Pacific Northwest this winter at Portland and Washington State.

It's a lot of good exposure. With Louisville expected to make a deep run in the 2012 NCAA Tournament next March, the popularity of the Lady Cards should continue to grow right in Mercedes backyard.

Mercedes will choose where she'll play her college ball when she's ready. The recruiting battle is just beginning to heat up. I absolutely believe that Coach Walz and his staff are up for the challenge.

So, Cardinal fans...remember the name Mercedes Russell. With the excitement created by Shoni Schimmel last season and the upcoming, expected success of the 2011 recruits, Walz is showing that Louisville is a major player in the high school recruiting battles. A player that can land the talents of a Mercedes Russell.

Coach Walz is building. With a #1 recruit on the horizon and in the mix...it appears he could be constructing a skyscraper.

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The Lady Cards WBB team will open with an exhibition game against Lindsey Wilson.  They do list three players 6'2" or taller, though...including former Card Ashley Rainey....and 2011 Louisville target Monny Niamke is listed. We'll stay tuned. If roster depth and height mean anything Lindsey Wilson could be a juggernaut in the NAIA this season....
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Field Hockey defeats MSU 2-1....Soccer loses in OT to Illinois 2-1

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MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Jurich goal gives Justine Sowry first win

-Cards take Illini to overtime before losing

-Central Cardinal Club 2011 Holiday Boutique

Louisville Field Hockey used a second half putback goal by Lacey Jurich to down #13 Michigan State last night in Trager Stadium 2-1. The Cards took the lead against the Spartans when goalkeeper Molly Cassidy deflected a Card attempt on goal midway thru the second half and Jurich knocked the loose ball past her for a 2-1 lead.

Louisville scored first in the tightly fought contest off a penalty corner. Freshman Dominique Pasqualichio slapped in an assist from Hayley Turner and Elizabeth Vance for the opening goal. That would be the extent of the scoring in the first half for either team. After the intermission, the Spartans tied the contest about seven minutes into action when Christy Coil snuck one by Cardinal goalie Erin Conrad.

Louisville (1-1) takes to the road for two in Carolina next...Saturday, Sept. 3rd. at Davidson and Sunday, Sept 4th. vs. #11 Wake Forest.

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Tough overtime loss Sunday afternoon in Cardinal Park for UofL women's soccer. Louisville and Illinois battled through regulation to a 1-1 tie before the fighting Illini found the back of the net five minutes into overtime.

The Cards struck first in regulation...Jordan Pawlik capitalizing on assists from Christine Exeter and Devyn Ciotti to score 23 minutes into the contest. They held that lead to halftime and most of the second half before Megan Pawloski slipped a kick past UofL goalie Chloe Kiefer in the 79th. minute of play. Illinois' Shayla Mutz fired the game winner past Kiefer minutes later in overtime.

Louisville women's soccer head coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes was optimistic despite the defeat:

"In all honesty, I think we should have won the game because we had our chances to win in in 90 minutes but we didn't capitalize on two breakaways. Illinois is absolutely a great team. We should have scored a second goal in the first half and we had two more legit chances in the second half. Anytime you let a really good team hang around, they do exactly what Illinois did today. As upset as I am because it's a loss, I'm incredibly optimistic because of our effort."

Louisville will host the Courtyard by Marriott Classic Labor Day weekend at Cardinal Park. The Cards take on Baylor at 5 p.m. Friday and then Central Michigan Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
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The CENTRAL CARDINAL CLUB will hold their 2011 Holiday Boutique and Style Show Luncheon on Tuesday, November 15th. from 11 a.m. till 8 p.m. at the PNC Club in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Susan Sweeney will be the emcee. Fashions by Sunny Daize and Evolve Consignment and the models will be family and friends of the University of Louisville. Class Act Federal Credit Union signs on as a sponsor and here's the schedule of events:

-Lunch Buffet starting at 11:30 a.m. ($15 per person)
-Fashion show begins at 12:15 p.m.
-Dinner Buffet starting at 6 p.m. ($15 per person)
-Cash bar from 4:30 p.m. till 7:30 p.m.

Some pretty impressive vendors are lined up for the gala event and there will be special guest appearances throughout the day. 

All proceeds from the Central Cardinal Club Event benefits the Cardinal Athletic Fund and UofL Student Athletics. You can call Linda Patton @ (502) 635-6088 or Debbie Zipperle @ (812) 280-0275 debzip@yahoo.com with questions.

Sounds like a great day...with a Silent Auction and tons of prizes and giveaways available! We'll see you there. We've also posted the information on the "left side of the site" so you won't forget.
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Volleyball splits in the Courtyard Marriott Classic...Field Hockey & Soccer Sunday

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CARDINAL COUPLE SUNDAY

-Cards top Kansas State, fall to Georgia Tech in Volleyball

-Field Hockey faces Michigan State tonight

-Soccer vs. Illinois today

-Uncle Mo second by a nose

-How you doin?

Louisville Volleyball started Saturday's action in fine fashion in Atlanta with a sweep of Kansas State 25-12, 25-21, 25-20. Gwen Rucker stepped up big for the Cards 10 kills, five blocks and four serving aces against the Wildcats. Anne Kordes' team took an early 12-2 lead over KSU in the first game...pushing that to 17-7 and going on to the 13 point victory. 

The Wildcats weren't going to go away easily, though...and led early in game two. Louisville eventually gained the lead at 10-9 following a couple of kills and a block by Rucker. KSU battled back to get within one at 21-20 but UofL took four out of the final five points to secure victory.

The teams battled closely in the final game...Louisville tied with KSU at 18-18...but finished with a 7-2 run to sweep the match. 

Saturday evening against the Yellow Jackets started off very well for the Cards. They bombarded Georgia Tech early in game one...led by Kaitlynn James' seven straight service points and led 19-8. The Cards ended up a 13 point winner. Game two saw Louisville hot early again and jump out to a 10-4 advantage. The Cards increased that to 22-11 and coasted in with a 10 point victory.

The Yellow Jackets were far from ready to concede, though. Led by spiker Monique Mead they grabbed an early 14-8 lead in game three and held off Louisville rally attempts to take the game by six. The fourth game was back and forth for most of the time...the Cards trailing 21-20 before Mead and Georgia Tech finished with a 4-1 rally to knot the match at two games each. In the fifth game, UofL fell behind early 6-2, rallied to make get within one at 12-11 but the Tech squad scored the final three points to take game and match.

Louisville gets a few days away from action before hosting Ole Miss in Cardinal Arena on Friday, Sept. 2nd @ 7:30 p.m.

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Field Hockey will square off against Michigan State tonight in Trager Stadium. Michigan State lost at close one to California yesterday 4-3. The Cards come into the game after losing to Cal 3-1 on Friday. Action starts at 6 p.m.

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You might as well make a day of it if you're headed down for the Field Hockey match tonight. Women's Soccer will host Illinois this afternoon at Cardinal Park...beginning at 1 p.m. Free t-shirts for the first 150 students and key chain Soccer schedules for the first 1000 fans. Karen Ferguson-Dayes squad faces the #19 Illini after the Cards tied Toledo 1-1 Friday night.

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UNCLE MO turned for home at Saratoga in the Grade I King's Bishop Stakes race yesterday and it looked like the 3 yr. old was gone...baby..gone. CALEB'S POSSE mounted a furious rally down the stretch, though and caught Mo right at the wire...winning by a nose over the Mike Repole owned, Bob Baffert trained runner.

After the race it was revealed that Mo had lost his right rear horseshoe at the start of the race. This runner just can't seem to avoid bad luck lately. Baffert and Repole teamed up for a win in the next race, though...with Belmont winner STAY THIRSTY destroying the competition in the Grade I Travers.

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We know a sizable share of our readers are on the East Coast. We hope you're safe and remain that way. Been watching Irene on the Weather Channel and she's one mean and nasty wind.
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Volleyball downs Tenn. Tech...Soccer ties Toledo..Field Hockey falls to Cal.

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SATURDAY WITH THE COUPLE

-Volleyball Cards sweep Tenn. Tech in first game of the year

-Cards tie Toledo in Soccer

-Cal uses second half to defeat Field Hockey Cards

The old phrase "win, lose or draw" came into play yesterday for three UofL women's sports
teams...Volleyball winning their first match of the season, Soccer earning a tie against Toledo and Field Hockey falling at home to California. Let's look at the events...

The BIG EAST selected Lola Arslanbeckova as the pre-season BIG EAST Player of the Year and she did nothing to dispel that selection last night in Atlanta, leading the Volleyball Cards to a 25-9, 25-20 and 25-7 whitewash of the Golden Eagles. Arslanbeckova got Anne Kordes her first official career win as the UofL head volleyball coach by producing 17 kills.

"We were passing, serving and hitting really well. I also think that Taylor Brauneis did a nice job of spreading the offense around." Kordes commented after the match.

Emily Juhl added 10 kills for Louisville and Gwen Rucker finished with nine. The Cards rolled out to an early 17-5 lead in the first game and won easily. Tennessee Tech hung around for most of the second game until a late 7-2 Louisville run allowed the Cards to take the contest. They pounced on the Golden Eagles in the final game quickly...going up 15-4 and coasting in for the win. Nebraska transfer Kaitlynn James served six straight points in the final game...her first game action in two years.

The Cards play twice on Saturday...Kansas State in the morning and Georgia Tech in the evening.

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Louisville Soccer drew first blood against Toledo last night but couldn't score again in a 1-1 tie against the Rockets. Sophomore Angelika Uremovich found the back of the net early in the match at the eight minute mark for her second goal of the season. The Rockers countered a few minutes later though when Kristen Lynn slid one by UofL goalkeeper Chloe Kiefer. Both team had chances to score in the second half but neither could produce a goal.

"I thought we started out very flat and reactive and because of that it took a long time to find our rhythm." Louisville head women's soccer coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes commented. "Toledo worked extremely hard and they played very well tonight. We will regroup for Illinois on Sunday and take from this some game lessons we need in order to make us a better team."

Toledo (0-2-1) outshot Louisville (1-0-1) 15-12 in the match. Kiefer had four saves for Louisville...who will host Illinois Sunday. The first 150 students with ID will get a Louisville Louigans T-Shirt and the first 1000 fans get a free Louisville soccer schedule key chain.

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CARDINAL COUPLE favorite Caitlin Collins got her first career goal last night but it wasn't

enough to carry the Field Hockey Cards past California...losing 3-1 to the Bears. Down 1-0, the Cards got on the board at the 12:30 mark when Collins found the net on a penalty corner with an assist from Elizabeth Vance. The first half ended with a 1-1 tie...Louisville out shooting California 14-2 and holding a 9-0 advantage in penalty corners.

Cal pushed ahead 2-1 four minutes into the second half when Erin Magill scored on a penalty corner and the Bears tacked on an insurance goal with two minutes remaining. Louisville was awarded two penalty corner attempts as time expired but could not connect on either. The Cards dominated the stats...with a 18-8 shot advantage and 15-4 in corners. Goalie Erin Conrad had a save in the defeat.

"In the beginning of the game I thought we started well and put them under a lot of pressure. To get that many corners and have that many shots on goal..we wanted a goal or two more than we got. I give a lot of credit to California. They're a good team through the midfield and we had a lot of turnovers, so we have to fix that." Louisville head field hockey coach Justine Sowry remarked.

Michigan State faces California Saturday in Trager Stadium and the Cards will go up against Spartans on Sunday.

Volleyball in Georgia to face Tenn.Tech...Soccer travels to Toledo...Field Hockey at home vs. California

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FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Volleyball to face Tenn.Tech in Courtyard Classic

-Women's soccer headed to Toledo

-Field Hockey hosts California

This weekend looks to be a busy one for Louisville women's sports teams, as three begin
their regular seasons. Let's look at the upcoming activities:

Anne Kordes' Volleyball team heads to Georgia Tech to take part in the Courtyard Classic. The Cards will start out against Tennessee Tech today and will also have matches against
Kansas State on Saturday morning and close out against host Georgia Tech on Saturday night.

The Cards feature Lola Arslanbeckova, the pre-season pick for BIG EAST Player of the Year and also have All-BIG EAST team players Emily Juhl and Gwen Rucker available on the strong Cardinal front line. Louisville was picked to finish first in the BIG EAST in the pre-season coaches poll. It is the first season for Louisville head coach Anne Kordes and the Cards have high hopes for the season with a veteran returning cast. WE'RE even thinking WE'LL eventually get to interview Anne and get a media pass for Volleyball. The ball is in her court, so to speak, on these issues.


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Karen Ferguson-Dayes takes her Louisville women's soccer team to Toledo for a Friday match to start season play. The Cards will look for a strong effort from 2010 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year Christine Exeter and also strong defense from goalkeeper Chloe Kiefer.

Toledo was picked to finish first in their division of the MAC in pre-season picks...the Cards fifth in the BIG EAST.

After the road trip, Louisville returns home to face Illinois on Sunday in Cardinal Park. The 1 p.m. match up against the Fighting Illini promises to be a tough match.


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Louisville Field Hockey greets two opponents this weekend at Trager Stadium. California is the first opponent the Stick Cards will draw off against on Friday. They'll host Michigan State on Sunday. Justine Sowry's squad comes into the season ranked third in the BIG EAST Coaches poll and features a strong freshman class in addition to returning stars Lacey and Haley Jurich, Caitlin Collins, Amber Thomas, Hayley Turner and Erin Schneidtmiller. Erin Collins returns as goalkeeper.  WE hope to have an exclusive Q&A for you with Coach Sowry in the near future... 

Softball announces fall schedule...Fastbreak Club update...Lady Cards off the court

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Softball to face 4 opponents in fall

-Fastbreak Club update

-Great video of Cards Canada trip

Cards will look for a replacement for Chelsea's bat and glove

The University of Louisville softball team will face four opponents this fall at Ulmer Stadium. Sandy Pearsall and the team look to replace Chelsea Bemis and Colby Wherry on the left side of the diamond with six new recruits. The schedule:

SEPT 17th. Bellarmine (doubleheader)
SEPT 24th. Murray State (doubleheader)
SEPT 25th. Morehead (doubleheader)
SEPT 30th. Alumnae Game

The softball Cards return pitchers Tori Collins, Caralisa Connell and Chelsa Leonard and starters Jennifer Esteban, Alicia Wolny, Maggie Ruckenbrod, Taner Fowler, Kristin Austin, Hannah Kiyohara and get Jordan Trimble back from injury as they look to better last year's 38-20 record.

We like the fact that softball is also playing an alumnae game. Several readers have asked us why the women's basketball team doesn't have an alumnae game. We've posed the question to UofL's women's basketball assistant sports information director. Who wouldn't like to see Shoni or Asia try and shut down Angel McCoughtry? See if Angel Bradley, Sara Nord and Patrika Barlow could slow down Tia, Bria and Jude? Watch Connie Neal and Becky Burke exchange threes? Watch Mo move against Candyce? Make it so, UofL...

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AJ...WE GIVE HER A 'THUMBS UP'
here at CARDINAL COUPLE.

Got a nice e-mail from Adrienne Johnson about the women's basketball Fastbreak Club. It's still alive and well and going through some minor adjustments and revisions. AJ promises to forward us the updates and information and we'll pass them onto you. The club is a great way to get the inside scoop on Lady Cards hoops and meet the players and coaches. We hope they'll also plan a few away game bus trips. Kentucky, EKU, and Cincy all within a two hour drive.

With the increasing popularity and success of Lady Cards hoops, we'd also like the see something like a Junior Lady Cards club for the young girls out there. You'd probably have to set a limit on enrollment. While we're speculating...how about a weekly television show with Coach Walz and Matt Andrews and/or Paul Sanderford? Both ideas could only continue to increase the popularity and recognition of the program.

Remember, you can't spell Paul without UL...are ya listening marketing?

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WE found this video of the Lady Cards off the court during the Canada/Oregon trip. WE think you'll enjoy it. Click the link below. Thanks to Kenny for the scoop!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2332731960399

Monique Reid named to Wade Trophy watch list...

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WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Monique Reid one of nine BIG EAST players on list

-Angel's two free throws sink the Sky 83-80

-UK being its typical self...

University of Louisville senior forward Monique Reid has been named to the prestigious Wade Trophy watch list...a yearly list of the top 25 college women's basketball stars. The last Lady Card to receive this honor was Angel McCoughtry. Reid was the leading scorer on last year's UofL squad that made it to the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen. Her injury probably prevented the Cards from defeating Gonzaga to advance to the Great Eight.

No such worries this season for the Fern Creek, KY. star. She led the Cards in scoring in two of the three games during the Canada trip and is showing no effects of the hamstring injury that brought her season to an early close.

Reid became an impact player upon arrival to the Louisville campus in the fall of 2008. Along with Angel McCoughtry and Candyce Bingham, she helped lead the Cards to the NCAA Final Four and the championship game against Connecticut. At times, she was the main offensive threat in the Cards disappointing 2009-10 season leading the Cards and the BIG EAST in scoring with 18.4 a game. She averaged over 16 points last year for the 2010-11 Jeff Walz's squad..tops for the team. 

Reid joins eight other BIG EAST players on the watch list. From Connecticut, Stefanie Dolson, Bria Hartley and Tiffany Hayes were selected. Notre Dame stars Natalie Novosel, Devereaux Peters and Skylar Diggins made the list. Also selected were Georgetown's Sugar Rodgers and DePaul's Keisha Hampton.

The PAC 12 placed four players on the team, and the SEC, BIG 12, and ACC landed three players each.

A big CARDINAL COUPLE congratulations to Monique and the LADY CARDS for this honor!

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Two free throws from Angel McCoughtry gave the Atlanta Dream a one point lead with 2.5  seconds to go against the Chicago Sky and Lindsey Harding added a pair with no time left on the clock to give Atlanta a 83-80 win over Chicago. The victory gives Atlanta (14-13) a two game cushion over Chicago for fourth place in the WNBA Eastern Division.

Sylvia Fowles hit a jumper with 6.3 seconds to go...putting Chicago up 80-79. McCoughtry took the ensuing inbounds toss, though and went strong to the basket...drawing a foul and sinking the charity stripe efforts. Harding was fouled as time expired and provided the final margin of victory. Harding finished with 15 for Atlanta. Erika DeSouza had 13 points and Sancho Lyttle finished with 12 for the Dream. Fowles totaled 20 for the Sky.

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First, we get the news from our loyal readership that UK isn't supplying UofL any tickets for the women's volleyball match this year. Now, news that the UofL ticket office won't have any tickets to sell for the UofL vs UK women's basketball game this winter in Lexington. If you want tickets for the voleyball match, they are available from the UK Box office at $5 a ticket. 1-800-928-2287. Hoops? Anyone's guess right now...

They're also holding the contest in Memorial again this year. Duke, however, is coming to Lexington and playing the Lady Kats in Rupp. Louisville played UK in Memorial two years ago and UK destroyed the Cards...but Walz and crew faced Matthew Mitchell's team in Rupp four years ago and won by 15. Angel getting popped in the eye, getting 21 stitches and still coming back out and playing the final seven minutes. Memories...UofL fans chanting at the end of that one in Rupp...yelling at Mitchell "How do you like us now?"...in response to a statement he had made earlier in the season about how he "hated everything about Louisville."

Used to be that the Fastbreak Club would get a busload or two for the game and the women's basketball fan club was a pretty good deal for the avid UofL WBB fan. I'm not seeing any mention of the club this year...however...on the official UofL Sports web site.
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Harper will adjust to the upgrade...Pat Summitt diagnosed with dementia

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TUESDAY WITH C.C.

-Junior Shelby Harper has seen some changes.

-Pat Summitt diagnosed with dementia

(TODAY...CARDINAL COUPLE takes a look at one of the returning WBB Lady Cards) 

Imagine enrolling in college, planning on studying nursing and then getting invited to walk on the women's basketball team that finished second in the nation the year before. Such was the case for Allen County-Scottsville guard Shelby Harper back in the 2009-10 season. Injuries had left the Cards with a severe shortage at guard and Harper, who had been a District 15 MVP and All-Region selection her junior and senior years in high school...found herself in a Cardinal jersey.

She responded well during that trying season for the Lady Cards. She quickly became a fan favorite...a flying blonde blur who fearlessly brought the ball into the front court and fired threes from far beyond the three-point arc. She started 17 games for UofL her freshman year...playing in 29 contests and was second on the team in 3-point accuracy. Her five scores from 3-point range against Cincinnati had people talking about the unheralded spark plug.

Fast forward to her sophomore year. Seeing the need to rebuild the depth at guard, Jeff Walz brought in a talented trio of players to beef up the point and shooting guard postitions. Shoni Schimmel, Charmaine Tay and Tia Gibbs gave the Cards instant offense and defense to compliment the returning Harper, Becky Burke and Rachel Story. Harper still saw action, playing in 27 Cardinal contests and getting about 10 minutes a game. The spark plug effect was still working...her role had changed from starter to substitute...but the team's fortunes increased dramatically as the Cards reached the Sweet Sixteen.

2011-12 brings another wealth of talent into the Lady Cards locker room. All-American Bria Smith and fireball Jude Schimmel climb on the already loaded guard position golf cart and with both Schimmels, Smith, Tay, Gibbs and Burke available for duty...guards Rachel Story and Nikki Burton saw the proverbial hand-writing on the wall and transferred to schools where playing time would be more readily available. 

Harper remains. Her knowledge and experience in the Walz offensive system invaluable. Her effort and desire on the court equal to any of this current crop of Cards. The spark plug is now a part of one of the most powerful engines in UofL women's basketball history and, although the playing time may diminish for Shelby...the effort and fan support will still remain strong.

WE look forward to seeing #1 and her madcap advancements of the ball past defenders and her lock-down defensive skills on the full court press. Maybe not as much as in previous years...but certainly a treat every moment she's on Denny Crum Court.

Walz realizes the fervor and excitement that can come out of the crowd when Harper heads to the scorers' table. In the probable Cardinal blowouts of lesser foes in the pre-BIG EAST schedule...don't be surprised to see "the blonde blur" streaking by the opponents...firing rifle passes to the front line and bombing long range trifectas.

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Pat addresses the media at the KFC YUM! Center

University of Tennessee head women's basketball coach Pat Summitt has been diagnosed with dementia. This terrible news is a blow to the whole basketball community and WE here at CARDINAL COUPLE express our deepest sympathies and condolences to Pat and the entire UT Nation. WE recall her visit to the KFC YUM! Center early in the 2010-11 basketball season to help open up the Downtown Arena and remember her kindness, patience and even sense of humor as she addressed the media after the game. We have a link to the article and announcement below.

Despite our occasional parody portrayal of Pat here at C.C., we've always had a great deal of respect and admiration for the wonderful career she has had at Tennessee and the way she's been an ambassador for women's basketball. For today, and the future...we are Lady Vols fans...and wish Pat nothing but the best. Hopefully, with the aid of her assistant coaches, staff and physicians...she'll still continue to be a part of the Lady Vols for a very long time.

Click the link below for the story...

http://www.cbssports.com/general/story/15473196/vols-summitt-diagnosed-with-dementia-will-try-to-coach

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Haley Jurich with two goals in Field Hockey win...Sun beat the Dream

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MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE PRESENTS:

-First half fireworks set tone for Field Hockey win

-Sun defeat Dream in Connecticut

-Howard transfers to St. Catherine

The University of Louisville field hockey team returned to the friend confines of Trager Stadium and successfully held court against an Alumnae team Sunday 6-2. Justine Sowry's stick crew jumped out to an early 4-0 lead at halftime and was up 6-0 before a couple of late alumnae goals from Carrie Jackson Carden and Missy Briery.

Haley Jurich opened the scoring several minutes into the match, off a feed from Amber Thomas. Caitlin Collins got in the books a few minutes later, scoring on a rebound shot. Thomas became the third Cardinal to put up a point on an unassisted shot halfway thru the first half and Kaityn Soucy completed the first half scoring with an unassisted net finder.

The Cards built on the 4-0 lead when Haley Jurich converted on a rebound shot by Thomas and made it 6-0 by getting a goal from Dominique Pasqualichio off a penalty corner. The alumnae scored late in the contest, Missy Briery driving one into the net on a pass from Carden and Carden closing out the afternoon's scoring on a penalty corner with no time left on the clock. 

"I don't know what they ate this morning, but there were definitely a lot of positives today and hopefully we can take them into next weekend." Sowry spoke after the match. 

Louisville hosts California Friday and Michigan State Sunday to begin the regular season. Games start at 6 p.m. CARDINAL COUPLE will have reports on each. Louisville is picked to finish third in the BIG EAST...behind UConn and Syracuse.

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DeSouza's double/double not
enough for Atlanta Sunday.

The Connecticut Sun (17-10) ended a two game losing streak Sunday with a 96-87 win over the Atlanta Dream (13-13) at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Angel McCoughtry led the way for Atlanta with 22 points. Erika DeSouza finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, Lindsey Harding contributed 14 and Arminite Price added 12.

The Sun were led by Renee Montgomery's 21...Tina Charles and Asjha Jones tallied 18 each. Tan White had 11 of her 13 in the final quarter and Kara Lawson rounded out the Sun double-digit scoring with 11.

Atlanta is in 4th. place in the WNBA Eastern Conference, a game up on Chicago...who they'll face Tuesday night in Chi-town. There are eight games left on the regular season schedule for Angel and crew...four at home and four on the road. They need to finish at least fourth in the Eastern Division standings to reach the playoffs. Last year, they did just that and advanced to the WNBA Championships. TIme to rev it up, #35...

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Janae Howard lands at St. Catherine
Her third school in four years

CARDINAL COUPLE has learned that Janae Howard, a member of the 2009 UofL WBB Final Four Team, has transferred to St. Catherine College and will play hoops there in the 2011-12 season. Howard, an Kentucky High School All-State forward from Owensboro, came to the Cardinal Women's basketball team in 2008...along with Monique Reid and Becky Burke. She was a reserve on the team that faced UConn in the 2009 NCAA Women's Championship game. Janae transfered to Western Kentucky Univeristy after the season, sat out a year and was the leading scorer on the 2010-11 team until she quit after 22 games. She transfers to the NAIA school and will have two years of playing time left. St. Catherine plays Lindsey Wilson twice in the 2011-12 season. It'll be interesting to see how she matches up against former Card Ashley Rainey...the leading scorer on Lindsey Wilson's roster from last season.

Volleyball sweeps Alumnae...Field Hockey falls at Iowa....Dream block out the Sun

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SUNDAY @ CARDINAL COUPLE

-Alumnae give Volleyball Cards a tough match

-Field Hockey Cards drop exhibition in Iowa

-Atlanta defeat the Sun...Rematch today

The University of Louisville volleyball team welcomed alumnae back to Cardinal Arena Saturday night for the annual Alumnae exhibition and swept the grads in three straight sets 25-17, 25-14 and 25-15.

"It was a great night and I am so excited to see all the alumnae from different eras get together and have so much fun. Our main change is to reach out and connect with all the former players who built our tradition." head Volleyball coach Anne Kordes commented after the match. "We had conference champions, Sweet Sixteen players, All-Conference, All-Americans and professional players in the gym tonight and we understand and appreciate what they built here at the University of Louisville."

Lola Arslanbeckova led the Cardinal attack with 11 kills and Caitin Welch added 13 digs.

Louisville begins the regular season in Atlanta this Friday when they'll play against Tennessee Tech in the Georgia Tech Courtyard Classic.

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Justine Sowry debuted the 2011 Field Hockey Cards in Iowa for an exhibition match against the Hawkeyes but fell 2-1. The Cards trailed 1-0 at the half and didn't score until freshman Katlyn Soucy got an unassisted goal with just three minutes remaining for the final score of the game.

"Iowa is a tough Big Ten opponent who in the spring game gave us a lesson on how to play field hockey." Sowry said. "Today we were ready for them and played tough for 85 minutes. Although they had more possessions of the ball, we were able to develop our units all over the field."

Junior goalkeeper Erin Conrad had nine saves in the scrimmage. Iowa dominated the offensive starts with a 17-5 advantage in shots and 8-1 in penalty corners.

"There were so many positives from this game that I am really not concerned with the result." Sowry added. "We competed with one of the most improved teams in the country. We chose to rest some of our key players today, but on the flip side, we were able to play 17 players -including five freshmen- which is going to be invaluable as we move toward the opening weekend and beyond." 

The team is back in Louisville for an exhibition game against the Alumnae today at 2 p.m.

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A three pointer by Sancho Lyttle...just her second of the season...tied the Atlanta Dream game against the Connecticut Sun with just 12.2 second left in regulation. The Dream took control of the overtime period and downed Connecticut 94-88 in Philips Arena in Atlanta. 

Angel with another big effort with 26 points and 12 boards. Lindsey Harding added 21, Lyttle 20 and Erika DeSouza 12 for the Dream...who have have won 10 out of their last thirteen.

The two teams square off again today in Connecticut at Mohegan Sun Arena at 5 p.m
Atlanta (13-12) forced the Sun into 21 turnovers in the win that led to 25 Dream points....including a costly miscue late in regulation by Kalana Greene that led to the Dream's tying possession. 

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Soccer shuts out EKU...Lacrosse adds two coaches....Volleyball tonight!

SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Women's soccer takes 5-0 win at Eastern

-Young adds two assistants

-Alumni Game tonight for WBB

Five different Cardinals scored last night in the whitewash of the Colonels and Chloe Kiefer notched a shutout between the pipes in the road win at Richmond, KY.

"It's always nice to start the season with a win." head coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes commented after the win. "Going back to our first preseason scrimmage..we continue to get better with every game. It's great to see so many players, from the starters to the kids that are coming off the bench, play such an integral role in our success."

Jordan Pawlik booted home the Cards first goal of the season and freshman Kim Sharo added a score to give the Cards a 2-0 halftime advantage. Christine Exeter got in the act to begin the second half and the Cards received goals from Devyn Ciotti and Angelika Uremovich to close out the Cardinals offensive efforts.

Kiefer had two saves at goalie. The Cards will travel to Toledo next Friday before opening the homestand against Illinois on Sunday, Aug. 28th.

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Lacrosse coach Kelly Young has brought on board two new coaches for women's lacrosse. Crysti Foote joins the Cards, coming from Notre Dame...where she was an assistant last season. She had a very successful playing career with the Irish also, gathering All-American honors twice while setting Notre Dame records in game played and goals scored. She is also still a member of Canada's World Cup team and her knowledge of the offensive attack game should great of great value to a Cardinal squad decimated by graduation.

Victoria Latino joins UofL after head coaching Manhattan last season. She'll head up the Cardinals defensive efforts and was a two year starter for the Jaspers prior to going into coaching in 2005.

"I am thrilled to have two such talented women join our staff and the Louisville family." commented Young. "They bring a wealth of energy and excitement, .a true love for the game and a passion for coaching. We feel they can continue to help build on what we have started and help us move the program to the next level."

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Volleyball set for an exhibition game against the alumnae tonight at 6 p.m. in Cardinal Arena. The Cards are picked to win the BIG EAST this season and return key performers Gwen Rucker, Emily Juhl and Lola Arslanbeckova from last year's BIG EAST Tournament Championship team. Coach Kordes is excited about the upcoming season and seating could be slim pickings tonight as the wide net girls draw very well for matches.

CARDINAL COUPLE will have the dig and set up on the action and review it for you tomorrow.

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Pitino, Lolla, Kordes and Ferguson-Dayes headline Cardinal Caravan

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Coaches, Jurich headline Cardinal Caravan

-Soccer at EKU tonight

-Walz pleased with Canada trip

A large crowd of Cardinal fans enjoyed Thursday afternoon/evening at Captain's Quarters...hearing athletic director Tom Jurich and several other coaches speak.

WE like the coverage and photo Charlie Springer, over at UofL Card Game came up
with at the event and encourage you to check out his story of it at http://www.uoflcardgame.com/



No football coaches at the meet and greet...understandable since the season begins in two weeks
and preparation is at Defcon 5 to get ready for the home opener. Charlie Strong probably didn't
want to discuss the brewing issue with assistant coach Clint Hurtt and his days at Miami anyway.

Karen Ferguson-Dayes made the trip despite women's soccer opening tonight at EKU and
volleyball coach Anne Kordes, a never-ending first year ball of energy, relayed information on her squad...which is ranked #1 in the BIG EAST.

Reports back to us indicate that the food was plentiful and delicious, the beverages a welcome relief on a hot afternoon by the Ohio River and the Ladybirds dance team are as alluring as ever.

WE like the comment Rick Pitino made when on stage...indicating that he thought it might be possible that the women's basketball team might win a national championship before his players. No pressure, Coach Walz...just keep 'em healthy and motivated.

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UofL women's soccer kicks it off tonight in Richmond, KY. to face Eastern Kentucky University. Let's hope the possible rains and thunderstorms hold off. Up to 6 inches of rain in St. Louis last night and Louisville usually gets what they do...straight down I-64.

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The Courier-Journal's Jody Demling with some nice tidbits via conversation with Jeff Walz about the Canada trip in Friday's Courier Sports section. We've said it for awhile now...and Walz confirmed it when the topic turned to freshman Jude Schimmel. She may have been the least heralded of the three freshmen arriving on campus but the younger sister of Shoni definitely has game. Jeff Walz isn't a coach that pleases easily...enjoy the read at the link below:

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20110818/SPORTS02/308180089/Louisville-women-s-basketball-team-s-trip-Canada-met-all-Walz-s-expectation?odyssey=nav%7Clead

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