Happy Labor Day -- Volleyball Faces #7 USC -- Field Hockey today -- Dance on Myisha -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

HAPPY LABOR DAY

Good Morning and Happy Labor Day to you!

As you enjoy this, in many cases, day off and extension of the weekend...remember that the holiday was developed and based around the labor movement here in the United States. We associate picnics and barbeque with Labor Day in many cases and you'll get no argument from us here at Cardinal Couple. 

There was a time in our nation when working conditions weren't so great for tradesmen and skilled laborer. The Unions were formed to help organize and protect laborers and, as a result, greatly benefited the workingman. It's also a weekend many associate with the start of college football, and, we'll take a pass on that this weekend locally. 

Have a great Labor Day and, hey....take the day off! 


VOLLEYBALL FALLS TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Facing #4 and #7 on consecutive days is no enviable task, but the University of Louisville Volleyball team experienced that scenario Saturday and Sunday in Gainesville, FL at the Bubly Tournament ("Bubly" is a flavored, sparkling water...in case you wondered).

Worldwide filled you in on Saturday's tussle against Florida in the Sunday CARDINAL COUPLE column, so today we'll look at Dani Busboom Kelly's serve and set Cards against USC, The Women of Troy, Southern Cal...whatever you want to call them...in Sunday's match.

UofL fell in straight sets to the seventh ranked Trojans...19-25, 22-25, 19-25. Despite the sweep, the Cards did some good things and facing such stiff competition this early in the Volleyball season can only help strengthen the Louisville squad, as well as point out some areas the Cards can work on. 

Louisville stayed close to USC early in the first set and it was 11-8 USC after a Emily Scott kill shot found success. It wasn't to last, though, as the Trojans put together a 9-3 run to put some distance between them and the Cards at 20-11. Louisville would regroup and actually outscore USC the rest of the way 8-5 but ended up falling by six in the first game. 

Set two was much closer. (Why do most of the Cards matches this year seem to involve a very close second set?) Tied early at 7-7 and then 11-11 after a Melanie McHenry kill, the Cards looked to even the sets. Unfortunately, The Women of Troy were faring better in the hitting, and pulled out to a 19-15 advantage. The Cards would get as close as two, forcing a USC timeout at 24-22, but lost the next point and the set by three. 

In the final set, Louisville kept battling and kept it close early. McHenry's kill had Louisville down by one at 8-7, but a 9-3 So. Cal run gave them some breathing room at 17-10. With their backs against the wall, Louisville made one last attempt to salvage a set and put together a 10-3 run to make it 20-17 after freshman outside hitter Claire Chaussee aced a serve. USC was undaunted, though, and finished the contest with a 5-2 response to take game, set and match. 

Hitting percentages were quite noticeable and the deciding factor in the match. The Cards fired for a dismal .121 average while USC found success at a .300 rate.
  

McHenry and Jasmine Bennett led Louisville with ten kills each. Bennett was 5 for 6 after the first game. Louisville battled hard against a very good USC squad and gave them all they had. Sometimes, you run into a better team and they beat you. It happens. 

The Cards return to action next weekend with a trip to West Lafayette, IN. to play in the Purdue Invitational. They face Lipscomb, Xavier and Purdue. 


Go. Cards. Beat. Purdue. 


FIELD HOCKEY TO FACE THE BLUE HENS TODAY

Justine Sowry and The Flock continue their road trip today...traversing from Virginia to Delaware for action against the Delaware Blue Hens. The Cards arrive in Newark, Delaware after a 2-1 win in Richmond against the UMass-Lowell River Hawks on Saturday. 

Louisville weathered a scoreless first half and got their offensive production from the Schindler sisters (Katie and Meghan) in the final 35 minutes to go to 2-1 on the season. 

There are three services that rank Field Hockey and they usually post their newest rankings on Tuesday. Louisville was #8 in the latest NFHCA poll and Delaware checked in at #9. 

Last year, the Cards took the Blue Hens to the chopping block with a 3-1 win to open the season at Trager Stadium. Hollyn Barr was the keeper in that one, Ayeshia sitting with an injury.

Minout "Minnie" Mink had two of the scores. Here's the interview we did with her back then. 



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSlEj17Lje8&feature=youtu.be


Minnie's back in The Netherlands this season and won't be walking through that door for the Cards, but Louisville has a very strong squad with lots of scoring options and the incredible Ayeshia McFerran guarding the goal.

This one starts at 1 p.m. and can be viewed at the link below: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-NE9rz7HXo



MYISHA KEEPS DANCING

The Washington Mystics stayed alive in the WNBA Semifinals with a blowout win over the Atlanta Dream yesterday 97-76. These two will decide who goes to the Finals on Tuesday in Atlanta. The series is knotted up at two games apiece. 

Myisha Hines-Allen saw 13 minutes of court time in the victory and totaled two points and five rebounds. Angel McCoughtry is out for the season for Atlanta. 

Elena Della Donne shook off the soreness of a bone bruise on her knee and put in 33 minutes for our nation's capital WNBA squad. She was good for 15 points. 

Just who the Mystics could play in the Finals is up for grabs, as Phoenix pulled off an exciting 86-84 comeback win over Seattle to force a fifth game. Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi stay alive with win over "Stewie" and Sue Bird. 

They'll decide the series in Seattle on Tuesday night. 

Keep on dancin' , Myisha. 

Have a great Labor Day, readers and give me a call when the ribs are ready. I've got some potato salad I'd be willing to bring.  How are you spending Labor Day? 



paulie
xxxxx