Softball, Lacrosse, Volleyball and Spirit! -- Sunday Cardinal Couple

Softball Splits the Day

Defending national champion Florida State came to town for a 3 game series that was originally scheduled to start Friday, but due to weather forecasts got switched to be a double-header yesterday (Saturday) and a game tomorrow evening.

Sidney Melton throws from 3rd

The Cardinals and the Seminoles split the day yesterday, with the Cards taking the first game 2-0, with all of the scores coming on a Megan Hensley rip to the centerfield berm into the middle of a clutch of fans.  Celene Funke was the other base runner after reaching on a single.  After those first inning heroics, however, the game settled down to a scoreless pitcher's duel the rest of the way.

The second game saw FSU put up a run in the 2nd, a pair in the 3rd, and another in the 5th to reach their game tally of 4.  The Cards would get one back in the bottom of the 6th, after Sidney Melton tripled then got home on a Madison Cousineau sacrifice fly out in foul territory.

The Cards a 'Noles continue the series tomorrow at 7pm at Ulmer.  While there is still a chance of rain in the forecast for tomorrow, it is a smaller chance than today, so there's hope.

Video below of Watson and Coach Aprile

DANIELLE WATSON POST GAME INTERVIEW

HOLLY APRILE POST DOUBLEHEADER INTERVIEW

Lacrosse Loses on Senior Day

The Lacrosse squad honored the lone senior on the team, Canadian Tessa Chad.  The Orono, Ontario native transferred to UofL to continue playing for Scott Teeter and has proven to be a bright spot for a rebuilding team.

Tessa Chad taking a shot

Chad picked up a hat trick in the 17-6 loss to UNC.  This leaves UofL still winless in the extremely tough ACC with two more chances to get a conference victory in the season.

First, though, the Cards will get one last non-conference game in when Ohio State visits the Louisville Lacrosse Stadium Tuesday for a 1pm start.  The stick squad finishes out the season on the road, first visiting Charlottesville to take on the 1-4 in conference, 9-5 overall UVA Hokies.  The season finale will be up in Chestnut Hill with a monumental challenge against undefeated Boston College (5-0, 14-0 overall).

Scott Teeter discusses Senior Day below

SCOTT TEETER REVIEW SENIOR DAY VS UNC

Spirit Squads Bring Home More Wins

Stop me if you've heard this one before.  The Ladybirds won the Division 1A Team Dance
Performance in the NCA and NDA National championships in Daytona Florida.  If you've paid much attention at all the Louisville Spirit Squads, this probably comes as no surprise to you.  This is the 18th consecutive, and 20th overall win for the Ladybirds.

The All-Girl Cheer squad is building their own dynasty and legacy with their 6th straight and 16th overall win in their category.

Also at the top of the podium is the 4 Girl Group Stunt group with their 2nd straight win.  This is a newer category, I believe, so the dynasty may just be starting, here.

Lots of 2nd place finishes as well, with the Ladybirds coming in 2nd in the Hip Hop division, and the small and large Co-Ed Cheer groups also came one position away from the overall wins.

Volleyball

The volleyball squad took part in the annual KIVA Collegiate Showcase at the Ohio Valley Volleyball Center.  The biggest news to come from the event is that Marijke van Dyke is apparently not with the team anymore.  She was not in attendance at the event at all.  There has been no official statement from Coach Busboom Kelly on the topic.  I did get confirmation that while she acknowledges that they aren't the most healthy of snacks, she believes the fried cheeseballs at the OVVC food concession are very good.  Your correspondent concurs in this judgement.

On the court, the Cards continue to progress and excel at blocking, another aspect of the day that kept your correspondent in a great mood, and the development of individual players is evident.

I continue to be impressed in the spring season with Emily Scott and Aiko Jones with both making their presence at the net felt more strongly than ever.  Mia Stander, who stepped up during the season to fill in for an injury depleted defensive squad, is showing that she has adjusted well to the role.  The Cards faithful will be delighted to see the play of Tori Dilfer in the setter role.

Speaking of injuries, I did get to speak to Alexis Hamilton's father Dennis, who reported that she hopes to get cleared to full activity in the mid-May timeframe.  He said she's currently, "about 70%".  I did observe her participating in pepper with Associate Head Coach Dan Meske during warm-ups and she looked to be moving well and showed no impairment.  Cards fans should be excited to see her back out on the court in the fall, I know she is anxious to get back to playing as well.


Cardinal Couple Radio Hour

The knuckleheads gathered on Mellwood Saturday Morning (sans Jeff, who joined via phone from
KIVA)  for the weekly look at UofL women's athletics.

Paulie, Case, Jared and Daryl covered WBB, softball, volleyball, lacrosse and other items of interest in a fast-paced, lively forum.

A special thanks to the "queen mother" of WCHQ FM Kathy Weisbach for coming in to run the board, adjust the sound, video, noises and produce the hour-long foray into Cardinal womens' athletics.

The Facebook Live link below:

THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR 4/6/19

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JMcA