Georgia Tech Comes to Louisville
The Georgia Tech Ramblin Wreck comes to visit Louisville today, and honestly, it's impressive that a 1930 Model A could make the trip. Of course it won't literally be here, and honestly I don't expect much of the GT student body to be here either. (The Ramblin Wreck is officially the mascot of the GT student body, with Buzz the Yellowjacket being the mascot for the school and athletic teams.)
It's still early in the conference season, so the 18 team ACC still has lots of big ties between teams, and Georgia Tech is in one of the biggest ones at 3-1. Louisville at 4-1 avoids being a part of that tie only by virtue of having played, and won, an extra game.
Today, however will be a test for the Cards. With no quadrant one wins, though conversely no quadrant two, three, and four losses, Louisville will be looking for a statement win.
Some might be tempted to think that GT's main weapon is Nell Fortner's overwhelming southern drawl, but, of course, she is a very good coach and has built the Yellowjackets into a competitive squad.
They have three players that average in double digit points - Kara Dunn, Dani Carnegie, and Tonie Morgan, at about 16, 15, and 13 pts/game respectively. But everyone on the team is at least a minimal scoring threat, with every player that has gotten on the court for GT scoring at a clip of at least two and a half points per game.
Between the lot of them, they add up to a high scoring offense, averaging almost 84 points per game, along with a couple of games that got into triple digits. OK, one was an exhibition against a vastly inferior team, but the more recent one was against the defensively oriented Pitt team, who they beat 100-61.
The Cards will need a stiff defensive set to take slow this Georgia Tech offense, but they also will need to keep an eye no the passing lanes to keep the Buzzters from racking up the totals in the steals column. GT pilfers the ball one and a half times as often as their opponents. They have six players that average a steal or more every game, so make those passes crisp and make sure you're aware of where the defenders are.
The game today is a little bit later than typical Sunday games are as it has ACC Network linear coverage and will be in the 4pm time slot.
Indy Ignite Trip Report
After the CCRHP yesterday, I hit the road up to Indianapolis to go to the franchise debut of the Indy Ignite volleyball team in the Pro Volleyball Federation. The Ignite is an expansion team this year, although the whole league only started play last year and all of the players last year were only on a one year contract, meaning everyone was a free agent in the off season, so the Ignite aren't at much of a disadvantage getting started.
As we covered the other day, two Cardinals are on the roster of the Ignite, Elena Scott and Anna DeBeer. DeBeer is still recovering from her ankle injury suffered in the NCAA Semifinal match, but Scott did see the court and played a fair bit. She didn't get to don the libero jersey, but did sub in to play as a DS in place of Kentucky alumna Azhani Tealer.
After a pretty disastrous first set, that the Orlando Valkyrie won 25-13, the Ignite came out looking like a different team and took the next three sets 25-19, 25-17, 25-21. Scott played some in all four sets, got a couple of digs, and a trio of assists in error free play.
After the match, I did get to visit briefly with DeBeer and Scott. The report from DeBeer, who was not dressed to play and was still in a boot, is that they are going to try to move her into wearing an ankle brace and starting to do some light practicing with the team, so that is definitely progress and is right in line with the 4-6 week estimate from just after the injury occurred (it's been just over three weeks so far).
The Ignite, who play their home matches at the brand new Fischer's Event Center, sold out the arena for their franchise opener. Announced attendance was just north of 6,000. The arena is listed with a capacity of 7,500, but that clearly is assuming a different seating configuration, likely including floor seating, as the 6,000 that were there last night filled every corner and seat, and more. The energy in the crowd was good, and while only time will tell for sure, I think the Indy market has a hit on their hands.
A number of people of some interest to Louisville volleyball fans were also in attendance. Two members of the Louisville coaching staff, Associate Head Coach Dan Meske was there with his wife and also his good friend John Klanac who is an Assistant Coach at Purdue. Klanac's wife Carly serves as VP of Marketing and Game Day Experience for the Ignite. Louisville Assistant Coach CC McGraw was there as well with her fiance'. As you look down the baseline floor seats, next up was Louisville Football Head Coach Jeff Brohm. Continuing down the row, you also saw Wisconsin's Head Coach Kelly Sheffield, and Kentucky's Head Coach Craig Skinner.
Most, if not all, of the 2025 Louisville team (that is on campus at this point) were in attendance as well, that includes Purdue transfers Chloe Chicoine, and incoming freshman Hannah Kenny.
Overall it was a great road trip and experience. I can heartily recommend such an outing, particularly since it can be accomplished as a day trip up and back.
In other Louisville rooting interests in the PVF, the Columbus Fury, with Tori Stringer nee Dilfer, and Wilma Rivera were in action against the San Diego Mojo. Rivera started all four sets with Stringer subbing in some during the 3rd and 4th as the Mojo went on to win the match 3-1 (25-18, 21-25, 25-19, 25-22).
Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast
And finally, the CCRHP was on the air yesterday with a foursome. Case, Jared, Paulie and myself covered the current state, with recaps and looks ahead, of WBB, and talked a bit about the emergence of pro volleyball with an outline of the (admittedly a bit messy) landscape of leagues and teams.
It's always a good time, and you can check it out at:
--
JMcA
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