Tell Laura I Love her..-- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 CARDS FORCE INSIDE WINNING FANS HERE

I wouldn't expect many of you to remember the 1960's classic ballad "Tell Laura I Love Her" but I think a lot of Cards WBB fans would agree with the statement. The song itself really doesn't tell the happy story of Laura Ziegler coming to Louisville after three years at St. Joe's and to the states from Denmark. And, she shouldn't be confused with the teaching professor at Iowa St. But in her early games here at Louisville, she's coming on like a freight train. Maybe they felt that love for her, as well, in the city of brotherly love. 

The Cards 'strong girl in the paint' averaged 14.6 points in the paint in three years at St. Joe's where she went 24-10, 23-8 and 20-11 in her years with the Hawks...but no NCAA Tournament appearances for her in her time there may have got her looking for greener pastures. 

Or bluegrass pastures. 

Ziegler brings to the Cards that toughness and skill in the paint that can only help the Cards rebounding and scoring. And...look at her numbers with the Cards so far. 16 points and 18 rebounds against UConn. Nine points and 11 rebounds against NKU, 15 points and six rebounds against Colorado and 17 points and 10 rebounds versus Clemson. She and Taj Roberts are leading the cards this season so far in scoring at 14.2 ppg.  Is it any wonder that she was named to the John L. Wooden Award preseason watch list? 

Already...., the youngsters who attend games at the KFC YUM! Center have been making posters with her name on them. 

A thing she has learned, too, is that Walz is a straight shooter. Maybe not with the basketball, but in his dealings with the student-athletes on his team. 

You could classify Walz's attitude toward his players best by the old R&B classic by Wilson Pickett (and also a great CCR version) Ninety nine and a half just won't do"

Wilson Pickett's Version

CCR version

Ziegler delivers the 100% Walz expects on the court and Ziegler won All-Atlantic 10 honors for her tough play, knowledge of the game  She has been the leading rebounder in all four UofL WBB games this year. Here's what Walz says about her: 

"Laura is a tremendous asset to out program. She brings a level of skill, leadership and leadership that will elevate our team immediately. Her international experience and success at St.Joe's has prepared her well to compete at the highest level.."

We look forward to more "love from Laura" as the season progresses. The Cards will take on in-state school Morehead University tonight at 8 p.m. and viewing is available on ACCNX if you can't make it to the KFC YUM! Center. 

About the John R. Wooden Award® 
Created in 1976, the John R. Wooden Award Program hosts the most prestigious honors in college basketball, recognizing the Wooden Award Most Outstanding Player for men and women, the Wooden Award All-America Teams for men and women, and the annual selection of the Wooden Award Legends of Coaching recipient 

Dana Evans was the most recent WBB Louisville Cardinal to get the award. 

(photos by Jared Anderson)

paulie