Ciera Johnson makes the 2016 Class another top 3 for Walz -- Wednesday Cardinal Couple

6'4" JOHNSON ADDS TO THE ARSENAL


The comment we used to hear from time-to-time about Louisville women's basketball was that Jeff Walz didn't land big girls. To which we would explain that Walz would counter with that he was trying but 6'1" and 6'2" athletic leapers had done him pretty well in the past. 

6'4" Ciera Johnson can finally and definitively lay to rest the objection that Walz cannot bring height onto campus. She's the latest addition to a 2016 class that could have seven solid and tall paint dwellers reporting for duty in the fall of 2016. With Kylee Shook, Erin De Grate, Sam Fuerhing, Bionca Dunham, Cortnee Walton, Myshia Hines-Allen and Johnson...backboards and rims have something to fear in Cardinal Arena next year. 

Tall enough for you now, folks?

Strong in the post, capable of double-doubles each night, able to run the floor in the fast break, transition offense and a rebounding machine...the Duncanville, TX native verballed to the Cards over powerhouses Duke, Notre Dame, South Carolina and Texas A&M.  

She joins a class as a 5 star that is definitely top 3 for 2016. 5 star ranked Shook and Zambrotta, under-ranked 4 star Jazmine Jones and rapidly rising Bionca Dunham...this class rivals any out there.

Toss in the strong contingent of guards and wings Walz has acquired and Louisville has set the table for getting Walz back to the Final Four. 

Ciera Johnson, as so many recruits do, got a look at the Louisville campus, facilities...met the players and saw the community and it was a "no-brainer". 

Welcome aboard, CJ! In the meantime, someone needs to alert campus maintenance that a check needs to be done on doorway height at Belknap.  

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WBB TIP-OFF LUNCHEON TODAY

The Louisville Downtown Marriott will be the scene for the fall Women's Basketball Tip-Off Luncheon today. In case you were thinking about popping in to check it out, it is sold out...for the fourth straight year.

These are always fun affairs, and CARDINAL COUPLE will be there to capture the sounds and comments of the coaches and players. The pep-band, LadyBirds, video presentations and comments from the coaches and players always make this a highly-anticipated event. 

A surprise or two in the offing? You just never know what the Mad Scientist is going to produce. 

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HONORS AND RECOGNITION

Taylor Bucklin was named ACC Women's Soccer Co-Defender Of The Week for her outstanding efforts against North Carolina and Duke. 

All she did is shut out the Dookies and allow one goal to UNC in 219 minutes of action. Bucklin is the first to attribute her success to the defenders in front of her. 

54 shots were attempted against her in the last two contests. 18 were shots on goal. One got by her. 

Maybe they should start calling her Fort Knox...she's the impenetrable fortress that can't be accessed. 

Aniah Philo gathered ACC Freshman Of The Week honors for the Cards. The outside hitter had 17 kills, 19 digs and hit for .378 in UofL's recent two-game road trip to Georgia Tech and Clemson. 

Philo's rapid rise to a position of prominence on the Cards front line has helped Anne Kordes' squad post a 12-4 overall record and 6-0 ACC numbers. The Cards are also ranked #20 in the coaches poll and have a #17 RPI.  

paulie
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