U-23 Trials Drawing Near -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Cardinals Aim to Make Team

While the men's basketball team is producing practice results leading to Rick Pitino grading players on a 1-5 scale (with +/-) instead of an A-F scale, the core of the women's basketball team is gearing up for a different challenge completely. I don't quite have the insider information that you may be accustomed to when reading about basketball on this site, but I can at least offer my thoughts on the matter.

Jeff Walz, Asia Durr, and Myisha Hines-Allen are on their way to (if not already in) Colorado Springs, Colorado for the U-23 USA Women's National Team selection trials. This type of thing is something fans in the area should be accustomed to, as Jeff Walz has been an assistant coach in these situations before and both John Calipari and Rick Pitino have had their hand in coaching national teams. However, this is new land for the USA in terms of team structure. This year's iteration of the U-23 Women's Team will be the first the US has fielded. All 40 players reporting for tryouts must be under 23 (obviously), a US citizen, and be a freshman, sophomore, or junior in college. There is no room, apparently, on this team for stud high schoolers that may have dominated at the U-19 level.

After 40 attendees report on July 31st, the roster will be trimmed to 12 by August 4th. The short international exhibition tournament will get underway on August 12th in Tokyo, Japan. Assuming that both players make this team, Louisville will lose its core for approximately a month. That said, the assistant coaches will be working tirelessly with the team members remaining on campus to ensure that they are prepared for the upcoming season. These members of the team out on the road will be staying in shape and gaining invaluable experience with other great players from around the country and Jeff Walz will be making wonderful connections with the USA Basketball organization as well as other coaches and players. 

Many people have mixed feelings about coaches and players being absent so close to the season, and that is completely understandable. However, I am firmly on the side that these kind of experiences are important for the players and coaches as people, not only as professionals. In the professional sense, the players and coaches selected for these assignments are being honored by their peers and higher-ups for outstanding work. As people, they will receive the experiences of a lifetime travelling with like minds to be introduced to new places and new cultures. I wish Asia and Myisha the best of luck during tryouts and wish Jeff Walz well in his new coaching endeavor.

Until next time, Go Cards!

-CH-

VOLLEYBALL DOWN IRISH IN FOUR SETS...THREE SIGN FOR 2017 WBB CLASS -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

IT'S MILLER TIME FOR WIDE NETTERS IN WIN OVER NOTRE DAME

Lest you worry...the UofL Volleyball team didn't go out and celebrate with hoppy beverages after the 22-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-22 win over Notre Dame last night in the KFC YUM! Center. Instead, we refer to the play of sophomore Morgan Miller...who had 14 kills, 18 assists, two assists and three blocks in the Cards' four set victory. 

The Cards got help from other players as well. Melanie McHenry added 14 kills and 18 digs, Janelle Jenkins (so good to see her back out there, right?) delivered 13 kills and Molly Sauer had a career high 38 digs. 


A bit of a lineup change was the catalyst for UofL's success Wednesday night and Anne Kordes approved the message: 

"How fun was that? Molly Sauer passed out of her mind. We did not have many practices to work on this new lineup but they played well and adapted on the fly....I am so happy for our kids!" 

(It was a great deal of fun...Anne...from a viewer's standpoint.) 

The Cards stayed within range of Notre Dame in the first set...eventually getting within one at 21-20...and forcing a Irish time-out. While Worldwide led the fans in the "CARDS" cheer...Notre Dame devised a strategy to win the set. It worked, the visitors getting four of the next six points to take the 25-22 win.

Louisville came out fired up in the second stanza...a 6-0 run contributing to a 16-8 lead. Notre Dame re-grouped, however and cut that margin in half at 22-18. Miller clinched it for Louisville, though, with a kill and tip to gain the final two points...and a 25-21 win. 

After the break, the Cards jumped out early again on the South Bend school with a 8-2 edge. Notre Dame, once again, showed fight, though and cut that to 10-8 and eventually evened the set at 16-16. It was time for Tess after that...getting four kills in a 9-4 Cardinal run to win 25-20. 

UofL slipped away from UND in the fourth set...taking a 14-9 lead and carrying the momentum to a 20-16 advantage. It looked over at 24-20...but the Irish gained a couple of points before the Cards closed the door with a 25-22 win.

Nice to see Louisville battling on...despite the 9-16, 4-11 record. Even better to see them pick up their first home ACC win of the year. With two convincing wins in a row, the Serve and Set Cards are finishing the season strong and, just as importantly, building a nucleus of young players (McHenry, Sauer, Miller, Bennett and others) that will forge the future of the squad.  

The action moves Friday night from the KFC YUM! Center to Cardinal Arena. (Louisville men's basketball will occupy the Chicken Bucket). Kordes' Krew hosts Virginia...who sits at 14th. in the ACC with a 5-21, 2-12 record. 


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DUVALL, KAKALA AND EVANS MAKE IT OFFICIAL

Three 5-star recruits in the 2017 Louisville Women's Basketball recruiting class stated their intentions to play for Jeff Walz yesterday. This stellar class is ranked #1 in the nation by ESPNW Hoop Gurlz and the Cards went west, north and local to add these three to the fold. 

LINDSEY DUVALL is the local element...hailing from Mt.Washington, KY. The Bullitt East Charger is ranked as the seventh-best player at the guard position by ESPNW Hoop Gurlz and has played varsity hoops since the seventh grade. 

What should we expect from the 5'7" Bardstown Road baller? 

She manages the game well...one of those floor leaders that knows the game and makes her teammates better. She can destroy you from the deep or take you to the hoop. She is a shut-down artist on defense and is a full court whirling dervish that Cardinal fans will come to love during her career as a Card. 

Duvall chose the Cards over Kentucky, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio State and South Carolina. Paulie plans on making the 15 minute drive to Charger gym to see her play this season when he can. Well-coached and full of confidence and passion for the game....Duvall will compliment the current group of Cards guards nicely.


DANA EVANS is the northern signee...out of West Side High in Gary, IN. Another guard...the 5'6" fireball is ranked #3 in the guard position and #7 overall by ESPNW Hoop Gurlz.

Think of Asia Durr type explosiveness when you consider Evans. A speedy point guard that breaks down defenders off-the-dribble and can stop and punish defenses with a mid-range jumper. 

Evans represented USA Basketball in the U-18 national championship and delivered the gold. 

Defenders will fear and Cardinal fans will delight over Evans' ability to accelerate in the open court and she's a defensive nightmare for opposing point guards. Along with Duvall, Louisville probably has the best 2017 recruiting back-court and Evans might just be the fastest player on the squad next season. 

Tons of schools were after Evans...way too many to list here. It came down to Louisville, Tennessee and Purdue. She chose wisely.  

LORETTA KAKALA is the western signee. Out of Manteca, CA., she's another five-star recruit...ranked as the second best post in the class and 25th. best overall player by ESPNW Hoop Gurlz. At 6'3"...she brings a tough, physical presence to the paint and has a soft touch around the rim. She can step out to sink the mid-range jumper and scouting services and coaches rave about her advanced footwork and counter-post moves. 

"Retta" also played Volleyball and threw the shot-put and discus in high school (remind you of anyone?) and was named to the CalHi Sports Underclass All-State team as a junior.

Power game. Runs the floor well. Dominant in the post. All of these terms used to describe her. Defensively, she creates mismatches with her size in the paint and will be able to have a dominant presence down low. 

Her choice of Louisville eliminated Arizona State, San Diego State, Cal, UCLA, Utah, Washington, Kansas and Georgia Tech. 


Consider the Cardinal recruiting classes the last four years. #8 in 2014. #1 in 2015. #6 in 2016 and #1 again in 2017. From coast-to-coast...from big city to small burg...from speedy guards to dominant posts, Jeff Walz and his staff find them, recruit them and bring them in. 

Is the class finished? We've learned over the years to never say finished when Jeff Walz has a plane ticket and a cell phone. Could the Cards land Michaela Onyeware? Word is she'll be announcing Saturday morning. No word on Chennedy Carter yet. 

Louisville women's hoops is going to be a blast to watch this year, in the future and if you haven't secured your season tickets...we humbly suggest that you do.


paulie
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