Volleyball now #12 -- Bitting Defensive Player of the Week --WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 

LOUISVILLE VOLLEYBALL CLIMBS TO #12

It wasn't a dramatic jump in the rankings, but it was a move in the right direction, as Louisville Volleyball checks in at #12 in the nation, according to the AVCA Coaches Poll. The Cards were previously #13 in the poll last week. 

Louisville sits at 3-0 on the young season, having travelled to Tempe, AZ to begin the 2021 campaign and winning matches against Cal Poly, TAMCC, and Arizona State. The opening two were "get out the broom" wins -- of 3-0 sweep sets. ASU proved to be a bit more difficult and challenging -- but the Cards outlasted them three sets to two on the Sun Devils home court. 

Any early analysis of Louisville Volleyball's play could be pretty well summed up by saying that most of the weapons are back from last year, the weapons are working and on-target and the Cards did what they had to do (and what most expected) out in Arizona. 

This upcoming weekend brings Louisville home, hosting the Cardinal Invitational and three foes (Missouri, South Dakota and Northern Ky come to the L&N Federal Credit Union to test the Anna's, Aiko, Alexa, Ayden, Amaya, the rest of the "A" team and the Dani Busboom Kelly squad. 

There are no top-25 ranked foes in the the next group visiting LNFCU, and none of the three are "ar" squads (also receiving votes). One would expect the Cards to handle all three of the visitors...but, as is the case in college sports, when you have that "bullseye" of a top 15-ranked squad on your back, you're going to get upset-minded, trying to make a name for yourself opponents. 

The action begins Friday, and we'll have Jeff in the stands leading cheers and Jared will get you ready with a breakdown of the first opponent (Missouri) in his Friday column. We are playing a bit of musical chairs again this week -- I handled yesterday and today's columns and you get Jared for Thursday and Friday. Unlike last week, Volleyball is the only UofL women's sport on Floyd Street for Friday and Saturday. Field Hockey is headed to Princeton for two matches and Women's Soccer visits the Arch in St. Louis Thursday and will also chase down Billikens on SLU's home field -- Hermann Stadium.

I'm 99.9% sure the facility wasn't named after the former executive senior associate director of athletics at Louisville - turned realtor Julie Hermann. 

BITTING BRINGS IN MAJOR AWARD

University of Louisville fifth-year senior Alli Bitting has been named the first 2021 recipient of the ACC Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Week. 

Alli was an integral part of the Stick Girls defense that shut out Ohio and New Hampshire over the weekend at Trager Stadium. The defense allowed a mere five shots on goals in two games against the visitors from the Mid American and Colonial Athletic Conferences. The Cards outscored the two foes by  combined score of 9-0. 

We wish Alli the best of luck as the Cards go on the "P" Tour this weekend.-- heading to Princeton to play Penn and Princeton. 

TICKETS, TICKETS ? 

So, you say you'd like to go see the University of Louisville women's basketball team face UConn on Dec 19th.? 

Tickets for the contest go on sale Sept. 10th for the contest.at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.  Prices range from $17 to $112. 

For more info on the event, check out the link below: 

Louisville vs, UConn

If you'd rather call, here's a number for you.  1-877-4-HOOPLA. 

Have a wonderful Wednesday ! 

paulie