Las Vegas Aces headed to WNBA Finals -- Mercedes Pastor named ACC FH Offensive POW -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 

ASIA, A'JA AND ACES ASCEND 66-63

The Las Vegas Aces overcame a 13 point first quarter deficit last night to win Game Five in the WNBA Semifinals and they did it by employing two basic fundamentals of basketball: 

1) Keep the opponent from scoring. 2) Hitting your free throws. 

A 13-0 run in the third quarter gave Las Vegas the lead in a stretch where Cardinal Forever Angel McCoughtry and A'ja Wilson carried the offense and erased a 10-point deficit to regain the lead. 

Consider that Connecticut only scored 33 points in the final three quarters after putting up 30 in the first ten minutes. Beside Alyssa Thomas, the Sun couldn't do what almost basketball coach would put at the top of their keys to winning games -- putting the ball in the basket and preventing the other team from scoring. Give Thomas credit for battling to keep the Sun in the game, though, and she was doing it with a bad shoulder.  She never left the court in the 40 minutes and had 22 points for the Sun

But...give huge credit to A'ja Wilson. The Aces got her the ball in the final quarter, after McCoughtry carried the team for the first 30 minutes. Wilson did what she does best, go to the basket and create offense. Connecticut couldn't stop her, so they fouled her...and Wilson made nine out of ten free throw attempts in the fourth quarter. Wilson finished with 23 points and played all 40 minutes of the game.

"Playoff Angel" logged 32 minutes and sparked the offense in the comeback attempt in the first half with 15 of her 20 game points. She also hit two of her three three-point attempts. She also made six of her seven free throws. 

So, we are down to two teams. The top two seeds going into the playoffs and the best two teams in the WNBA will meet Friday for the finals. In a year of unpredictability and change, the WNBA ran true to form. The top two teams all season long will battle it out for the crown. 

Angel and A'ja vs. Sue and Stewie. This should be fun...

MERCEDES PASTOR NAMED ACC FIELD HOCKEY OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK. 

You can call her Mercedes the Magician. Call her "Mechi" if you want. But, you can also call her the ACC Field Hockey Offensive Player of the Week. 

The University of Louisville's Mercedes Pastor has been named the ACC Field Hockey Offensive Player of the Week as announced by the league office today.
 
Pastor, a forward/midfielder from Buenos Aires, Argentina, helped the Cardinals to a 2-0 record with wins over visiting Duke in their opening weekend. The 2020 preseason All-ACC selection tallied a pair of goals in Saturday's conference game that keyed a 3-0 victory and dished out an assist to give Louisville a 1-0 lead in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Blue Devils. For the weekend, Pastor led the team's attack with eight shots, five of which landed on goal.
 
UofL (2-0, 1-0 ACC) returns to action this weekend with a pair of ACC contests. The Cardinals will play host to two-time defending national champion North Carolina Friday at 4:30 p.m. followed by a matchup with 2019 NCAA semifinalist Boston College Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Both games will be televised on the ACC Network.

 Have a wise Wednesday!

paulie

 

USA uses late 2nd quarter run to get by Russia in U 19 title game -- Monday Cardinal Couple

WILSON'S 30 PUSH USA BY PESKY RUSSIA 78-70

USA U 19 got 16 first half points from Azura Stevens and a U 19 record 30 points from A'ja Wilson to overcome and hold off Russia to take the U 19 title game by eight points in the finals at Chekhov, Russia Sunday.

This was a test of two teams that had blown by the competition by an average of over 30 points in their previous six games. A USA team that alternated three point guards looking for an answer against the superior Russia outside shooting and half court defense. In the end, the USA did it the way they'd been doing it all tournament long.

Going inside.


A back and forth 1st quarter that saw Russia gain an early lead and take a 21-19 lead after the first ten minutes. 

Stevens was providing the offense...working hard inside against the Russian bigs. Russia finding success with the three ball. Mariya Moore reduced to basically a passer and defender with no first quarter points.

It got scary to start the 2nd quarter. Russia rolled off the first six points and USA was down eight. Dawn Staley called a timeout to right the ship against a pumped up opponent and loud and raucous home court crowd. 

Whatever she said...worked.


USA climbed back to a 30-29 deficit after Moore found Stevens inside with 5:15 remaining. Moore would miss a three a couple of minutes later that would have put the Americans ahead...but a 9-2 run over the final three minutes...keyed by Wilson sweeping hook and a Moore pass to Napheesa Collier gave USA a 39-34 lead at the half. 

Uncle Mo was on the American bench but the Russians weren't done by any means. Although they would not see the lead again, they made it interesting.

A Musina three three minutes into the 3rd quarter cut the USA lead to 43-41. Moore countered with a three for USA. Another Russian three with 4:27 left in the quarter made it 50-49. Center Chatrice White with an impropable but buzzer-beating three to end the third and USA held on to a 57-53 lead with ten minutes to play. 

Moore struck again to start the final quarter for USA with a three to make it 60-53...but thee Russian went on a 10-5 run over the next three 3:20 to get within two at 65-63 after another Musina trey ball. Wilson countered inside with her 27th point of the game seconds later. 


Moore's assist to White inside gave America a 70-65 lead with four minutes remaining.  A steal and Wilson jumper three seconds later set the advantage at seven. The Russians were finally tiring and the Americans held 77-68 with a minute to go...Russia went 8 for 10 from trifecta range in the final 20 minutes.

Wilson was named MVP of the tournament and Napheesa Collier joined her on the All-Tournament team.

Paulie Observations:

-- A'ja Wilson may be the best 19 year old women's player in the world...but Russia's Daria Kolosovskaia isn't far behind. Selected to the All-Tournament team, she tallied 19 points and made a mockery of the USA defense in the middle with her dribble-drive.

-- Mariya Moore with almost 37 minutes on the court...high for USA. Only six points but the glue that held USA together on the court. Every team needs a passer to set up the scorers and Moore fulfilled that role excellently in the final game. 

-- Congratulations to a USA team that had its share of tough breaks and setbacks early on. The top two players of the 2015 Class (Durr and Samuelson) made the team but didn't make the trip and Shakayla Thomas left the squad after the Canada game to return stateside.

-- Kristine Anigwe did not play in the final and logged only two minutes in the semifinal win over Spain. No official word on any injury...but her play in the pool games was impressive. 

-- Australia won the 3rd place game over Spain and France finished fifth. Egypt failed to win a game in seven attempts. 

-- Those crazy ESPN3 announcers...referring to our #11 as "Marie" Moore. I expected to hear them use Mary Tyler Moore, Maya Moore or even Dinty Moore at some point in time. Obviously siding with the Russians, these two guys nearly lost a lung every time Russia scored. Let's hope they stay overseas...would hate to hear them tackle pronouncing "Arica", "Taja", "Emmonnie" or "Brianna". 

-- I wish they would have let Walz and KBA stand on the podium for the awards ceremony. They were just as integral in the USA win as the rest of the squad. 


paulie
xxxx 

USA U 19 downs Argentina 89-39 -- Thursday Cardinal Couple

MOORE NAILS THREE THREES IN WIN

MOORE FOR THREEEEE!!!!

The USA U 19 women's basketball team advanced out of the Sweet Sixteen yesterday (we're shocked!) with a 50-point win over winless Argentina. This one was played at Vidnoje instead of Chekhov (seems they have two sites for these games...) and was played without Jeff Walz...who was still in Chekhov with shuttle issues. He tweeted:

"After shuttle issues Jacob and I weren't able 2 make game. Finishing Canada scout for tomorrow, Enjoying first half." 

OK, Coach...it happens...but I'm pretty sure they're playing the quarterfinals on Friday. Unless you know something we don't. (Who wants to bet he spent the day at the Moscow Zoo?) 

It's 47 km (that's 30 miles to you and I) between the two facilities. It would be like getting stuck in Shelbyville trying to get to the KFC YUM! Center....so we'll give him a pass and it looks like he got to see a good game in Chekhov...Canada maybe pulling the only upset of the day in knocking off Serbia.

At Vidnoje, meanwhile...

USA and Argentina were deadlocked in a 2-2 thriller (yawn...) 150 seconds into the contest when the USA took off on a 19-0 run over the next six minutes. Mariya Moore, who got the start, canned a three to put USA up 14-2. The first ten minutes mercifully ended for Argentina with USA leading 28-4.   

Mariya sat the first seven minutes of the second quarter but it didn't seem to affect Team USA...they held a 40-12 lead when she came in the game. She hooked up with a nice assist to Napheesa Collier at the 1:22 mark to make it 45-15 and USA led 48-18 at the half. 

Maybe the Argentinians were wishing they were in Chekhov at this point, too...or at the Zoo with Walz and Jacob.

Mariya started the second half and had an immediate impact by nailing a three for USA's first points of the half at the 8:38 mark. With 7:41 to go, she threaded a pass to A'ja Wilson for a basket +1.

Another Moore three tickled the nets with 6:44 showing on the clock and Argentina called a timeout...trailing 59-20. Two free throws pushed her point total to 11 with 3:48 remaining and the score stood at 63-22. A nifty interior pass by Moore to Chatrice White led to basket with 99 seconds left in the quarter and USA held 69-26 with ten minutes to play. 

Moore, Dangerfield, Wilson, Thomas and Collier got a well-deserved rest in the fourth quarter...and USA rolled on to the 89-39 win. Things got a tad chippy late...Lauren Cox and Ali Patberg were decked on a couple of aggressive fouls and Cox delivered a pretty solid elbow of her own that sent the Argentina center to the floor. 

On a side note, I've fallen in love with Ali Patberg's game. So much hustle, defensive intensity and a better-than-average shot. Muffet McGraw is going to love her, too....

USA gets Canada next. Also advancing into the "Great Eight" were France, Australia, Belgium, Russia, Spain and China...who beat Taiwan. Really? All that way just to play Taiwan? They could have met in Hong Kong...

Paulie Observations:

-- It's nice to see Sasha Baron Cohen has found work again...I'm pretty sure that was him imitating Borat as the PA Announcer during the game. 

-- The Argentina team had DirecTv sponsorship's on their jerseys. Now I know why the audio kept going out. They also did this crazy kind of circle dance around the half-court emblem before the game started and were chanting something. It probably wasn't USA! USA!

-- In the "Son, are you old enough to drive?" category...the male referee looked to be maybe in his freshmen year of high school. He blew the whistle, though, with the aplomb of Dee Kanter on a nationally televised game. 

-- Hadn't noticed this before...but the shot clock violation horn sounded like a car alarm going off. Or, maybe it was a car alarm? Maybe it was Walz trying to sneak into the arena through an unauthorized entrance...in any event, let's hope the ACC doesn't adopt this "horrid horn" policy...

paulie

USA U 19, Moore defeat China 88-62 in Pool Play Sunday -- Monday Cardinal Couple

Moore with nine points, three assists in 26-point win

The USA U 19 team jumped out to a 12 point first quarter lead Sunday in Chekhov, Russia against the Chinese U 19 squad and steadily increased upon that as the game progressed...winning 88-62 to go 2-0 in pool play.

Louisville's soon-to-be-sophomore Mariya Moore played 20 minutes in the romp, hitting 2-4 of her trifecta attempts and ending with nine points and a team high three assists...all points scored in the second half. She worked well with the USA bigs again in today's game. 

They all bring a really big presence,” said Mariya Moore (Louisville/Richmond, Calif.) regarding her team’s post players. “I think that other teams focus on our inside, and even though they focus on it, we still get enough points inside.”

Another slow start for USA, who started Moore, A'ja Wilson, Gabby Ortiz, Napheesa Collier and Azura Stevens...trailing 9-8 after the first two minutes. When in doubt, go inside to A'ja Wilson and the USA responded with a 10-2 run over the next 150 seconds to lead 17-11 after a Collier three. 

Crystal Dangerfield hits her second buzzer beat of the tournament to make it 29-17 after 10.

Chatrice White goes for two against China

Lauren Cox may need free throw work...but she passes well and a nice feed to Shakayla Thomas gave USA a 31-17 lead early in the 2nd quarter. Mariya Moore re-entered the game shortly after and fed Cox inside to make it 35-20 with 6:35 to play. 

These officials were whistle-happy on travelling today (especially if you had USA across your jersey) but USA finished the half on a 20-9 run...following a Ortiz three with eight seconds left in the half. 

Mariya Moore got USA on the board finally...two minutes into the third quarter (another slow start to a half) with a free throw but Wilson returned to sidelines after tweaking the ankle she strained yesterday at the 5:26 mark....ending with 17 points in fifteen minutes. Moore responded to rally USA with back-to-back assists to Collier, a breakaway layup with 2:18 remaining and a three-pointer with 1:34 in the quarter to make it 72-45 USA. 

Mariya picked right up where she left off in the third by starting the fourth quarter with a three at the 9:43 mark...giving USA their biggest lead of the day at 79-47. She would eventually sit for the rest of the game a few minutes later and Shakayla Thomas took over for USA...who went on to win by 26. 

SOME PAULIE OBSERVATIONS:

--  KBA was back on the sidelines for USA today coaching. She's part of the three-part hand-off where....after a timeout...Staley hands the clipboard to Walz and goes to stand by the sidelines. Walz takes the clipboard and deftly hands it to Barnes-Arico who gets it to her seat on the bench safely and handles it until time-outs.

-- The Chinese line-up had two Wangs and two Xhangs. Once again, the rosters on the screen showed #14 as just "A" again for USA. (Maybe it's A'ja's nickname in Chekhov?) 

-- USA in white today. Didn't hear Walz yell "Go Big Blue" all afternoon. KBA had to be disappointed...Michigan is blue and she missed it yesterday. 

-- For the second day in a row, they shorten the USA national anthem in the pregame introductions. What's up with that? It's not like it's a 10 minute opus or anything. Communist plot, right? 

-- Kristine Anigwe dressed but didn't play. Probably the reason USA played Lauren Cox a lot. (18 minutes). Report was Kristine was a little under the weather. Too much caviar and borscht will do that to you. Feel better soon, KA. USA plays Egypt (0-2) Tuesday. 


paulie
xxxxx

Mariya Moore "steals" the show in 72-57 USA U 19 win -- Sunday Cardinal Couple

MOORE GETS FIVE STEALS IN ONE MINUTE AGAINST SPAIN

In what must surely be some kind of FIBA or International women's basketball competition record...Mariya Moore started out the fourth quarter of the pool play game against Spain with five straight steals in five consecutive possessions. The thefts led to a layup and two assists 
and pushed the USA lead to 67-40 with 8:58 to go in the fourth quarter. 

(Other writers are saying four steals...I saw five. Maybe one got officially credited as a turnover...but I say it was a steal. Went back and watched it again. Five steals.) 

Spain even took a time out after her fourth steal. It didn't matter...they came out of the huddle and she intercepted another pass and took it down court for an assist.

She looked like former UofL cornerback Gerald Holliman picking off an ACC quarterback. 


USA led 70-40 with 7:46 to play. At the 4 minute mark, Dawn Staley had reserves Chatrice White, Ali Patberg, Lauren Cox, Gabby Ortiz and Destiny Slocum in for mop up work on a 70-44 score.

No offense intended here...but with the four white girls left on the roster and the new kid who had been on a plane for 24 hours in the game... Spain outscored USA 13-2 over that final stretch. The game was way over by then. 

Moore had nine points for USA...getting the start. A slow start for USA and a brief scare when A'ja Wilson went crashing to the floor holding her ankle just two minutes into the contest. Fortunately, she returned several minutes later but USA led just 15-13 after 10...a Crystal Dangerfield three giving them the advantage.

This USA team looks to be at its best when they get the ball down low to Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Shakayla Thomas or Kristine Anigwe and once they started doing that...plus doubling down defensively on the Spanish ball-handlers...they pushed out to a 36-24 halftime lead. Wilson had two straight steals in the second quarter and Moore sat the bench the entire second quarter.

Why do people pose for pictures with their
hands over their crotch area? 

Give Spain credit for trying to keep it close. Two consecutive threes early in the third quarter narrowed it to 41-35 but the USA went on a 18-5 run to finish the third quarter and held a 19 point 59-40 lead before the Moore theatrics. 

Mariya finished with nine points...Wilson had 18 for USA and Thomas and Collier found double figures, too.

USA takes on China today in pool play. China defeated Egypt 73-60 yesterday.




SOME PAULIE OBSERVATIONS

-- I didn't see KBA (Kim Barnes Arico) on the USA bench. Squirrel hunting with Putin? 

-- I could definitely hear Walz from the bench. How strange is it to hear him yell "Way to go, Blue!" or "Nice job blue!" Is this the doppelganger Jeff Walz...who has embraced the Blue? 

-- Uh...what's Destiny Slocum doing on the bench? Answer:  She flew in to replace Katie Lou Samuelson. From Idaho. 24 hours on a plane. Arrive in time for warmups. Welcome to Moscow, comrade!

-- It's a 24 second clock in International play. I kinda like it...

-- I was OK with the YouTube, lack-of- announcers broadcast. I did notice that they aren't the best scorekeepers around, though. 

-- When they flashed the rosters on the screen...they listed #8 as Angel Salvadores Alvarez. What, she got married? The jersey still said Salvadores, though. 

-- The USA roster screen-listing left off Napheesa Collier and had #14 listed simply as "A". (A'ja Wilson). 

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ANOTHER GOLD FOR KELSI

UofLswimmer Kelsi Worrell picked up another gold medal in the 400 MR last night. Best swimmer in UofL women's swim team history? WTG Kelsi Whirl! Tearin' up Toronto! 



paulie
xxxxx

USA U 19 sinks Spain by 24 -- Wednesday Cardinal Couple

SWEEP COMPLETE IN SPAIN FOR USA U 19... WALZ AND MOORE 

The USA U-19 completed the sweep of the Spanish U 19 International Invitational Tuesday afternoon with a 75-51 win over the Spain U19 team.

Hey....this one was just like Louisville WBB over Austin Peay or EKU in pre-conference play but with a bit of wondering on where was this Spanish team that challenged USA last year in the finals of the World Championships. 

Angela Salvadores last year...40 points in a three-point loss to this USA squad.

This year Salvadores goes 1-10 in 16 minutes. Two points. On her home court. 

Probably because she is headed to Duke for a scholarship...right? We know how Coach P ruins talent (and assistants) in Durham. OK, we jest here...but...

Or maybe the USA decided to guard "Sal" in the 2015 re-match. Whatever....she was a non-factor.

This one was 16-5 early and basically over. Remember that Australia beat the Spanish by 20+ yesterday. USA couldn't have been overly concerned about yesterday game against the Spanish after seeing the assassination by the Aussies.

A'ja Wilson with 15 and 10 in this one.

Glad she's in the SEC. Shakayla Thomas (FSU) off the bench for 12. A headache Walz will have to deal with in the ACC.

She's that good.

I'm also glad Chatrice White is at Illinois and in the BIG 10. Despite all the flack and friction going on in Champaign...she's going to be a All-Conference candidate. 

55-35 USA after three quarters. The only way USA was going to lose this one is if the Atlanta Dream had shown up to play the final ten minutes.

Louisville's Mariya Moore started and had seven points and three assists in 18 minutes. Quietly confident...knows her skills and when to bring them...

The squad moves to Russia now for the World Championships. A couple of tuneup games there. Walz and Moore continue to enjoy European Vacation 2015.

All we need is Chevy Chase, Wally World and Cousin Eddie.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////

SHONI, ANGEL NAMED WNBA ALL-STAR GAME STARTERS

The fans have spoken and former Louisville players and current Atlanta Dream teammates Angel McCoughtry and Shoni Schimmel will start in the July 25th. WNBA All-Star Game for the Eastern Division. 

Both finished second in the voting for their positions. It'll be McCoughtry's fourth All-Star game in a row. 

The Dream may be glad to see the mid-season break. They played the first of six straight on the road last night and were handled by the Phoenix Mercury last night 80-71.

Atlanta led this one 48-38 at the half but the wheels fell off in the final 20 minutes against Griner and Bonner...a 11-0 Phoenix run to end the third quarter had this one pretty much headed for the "W" column for the Mercs. 

Angel with a rough night...3-20 from the field and 11 points. It does appear Shoni is working her way back into shape and out of the Cooper doghouse...off the bench last night for 30 minutes.

She tallied 12 points...all from three point range and added five assists, rebounds and turnovers. Good idea to play her more on this western road swing where she'll pack 'em in the seats...

paulie
xxxxx

  

Thursday Cardinal Couple -- Lacrosse takes Big East Awards...More on Shoni...A'ja Wilson decides

THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Boltja, McNamara sweep BIG EAST Player awards

- Nice read on Shoni

- 2014 #1 recruit A'ja Wilson decides


Two Cards have taken the weekly BIG EAST Lacrosse awards


BIG EAST Women’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week
Nikki Boltja, Louisville, Sr., A
Boltja led the offensive effort for the Cardinals, who outscored their opponents 31-15 in a 2-0 weekend. The senior registered four goals on six shots and an assist against Temple on Friday afternoon before exploding for a six-goal, two-assist showing against Villanova in Sunday’s weekend finale. The senior entered the week ranked third nationally in goals per game and jumped to No. 2 following her 10-goal week for a 4.0 goals per game average. Boltja’s eight points against the Wildcats is third-most in Louisville single-game history and is tied for the 2014 BIG EAST single-game high.

BIG EAST Women’s Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Stephanie McNamara, Louisville, Fr., D
McNamara was tasked with marking two of the top offensive threats in the BIG EAST last week in Temple’s Jaymie Tabor and Villanova’s Chelsey Henderson, holding both without a point. The freshman held Tabor scoreless for the first time this season and Henderson just the second time in 2014 and first since Feb. 26 against nationally ranked Navy. Without goals from two of their main contributors, McNamara and the Louisville defense held Villanova and Temple below their season scoring averages in a pair of Cardinal wins last weekend.

Lacrosse plays the first of three at home today with a 4 p.m. start against UConn. The Huskies are in second place in the BIG EAST standings behind Louisville.

Standings	Conference	Pct.	GF	GA		Overall	Pct.	GF	GA		Home	Away	Neutral	Last 10	Streak
Louisville	4-0	1.000	68	30		10-3	.769	196	112		3-0	7-3	0-0	8-2	W 6
Connecticut	3-1	.750	48	41		8-5	.615	142	131		4-3	3-2	1-0	7-3	W 1
Georgetown	3-1	.750	51	39		6-7	.462	150	146		2-4	4-2	0-1	4-6	W 3
Villanova	2-2	.500	45	46		7-6	.538	132	127		4-3	3-3	0-0	5-5	L 1
Temple	2-2	.500	46	43		5-8	.385	122	144		5-4	0-4	0-0	4-6	W 1
Rutgers	1-3	.250	44	47		7-7	.500	111	138		5-4	2-3	0-0	4-6	L 1
Marquette	1-3	.250	35	41		5-8	.385	113	150		3-1	2-7	0-0	4-6	L 3
Cincinnati	0-4	.000	18	68		6-8	.429	119	175		3-2	3-6	0-0	5-5	L 5

Get out to the Louisville Lacrosse field today to support your LAX Cards. Admission is free.

 *            *            *            *            *            *            *  

If you're like us here at CARDINAL COUPLE, you can never get enough news and articles about Shoni Schimmel. The link below has a nice take on Shoni and her future in the WNBA. 

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/04/15/sports/basketball/schimmel-brings-flair-and-pride-in-heritage-to-wnba.html?referrer=

The buzz since Monday night has been about Shoni teaming up with Angel and also about Nita and Asia getting selected
for the WNBA.

Here's a couple of things you may have not known about the WNBA:

1) All rookies that make teams get $52,000 a year. That's not guaranteed, either. You get paid weekly. If you get cut or dropped by a team during the season...your paycheck stops also. Just because you get drafted doesn't mean you are guaranteed to make the team either.

2) WNBA teams will be allowed to have 12 players on the roster this season, but there is a salary cap in place also...so if a team has several high-salaried stars...they may only carry 9 or 10 players to stay under the cap.

3) A player can not play in the WNBA until they have been out of high school for four years. No "one and dones" in this league. I like it. It stresses the importance of getting the four years of college and a degree.

We wish Shoni, Nita and Asia all the best in "the league" and hope they are around for a long time. Long enough to make....one million dollars!

*            *            *            *            *             *              *

The #1 ranked player in the class of 2014 high school basket ball seniors has made her mind up on where she's attending college to play ball and....surprise, surprise!!!...it's NOT CONNECTICUT.

A'ja Wilson will stay at home and attend South Carolina. A nice "get" for Dawn Staley...the 6'5" Wilson is a game changer and will make an immediate impact for the Gamecocks and in the SEC....if Staley uses her wisely and doesn't let her languish on the bench like Holly Warlick did with Mercedes Russell this year.


Congratulations, Ms.Wilson! We're glad you didn't fall for all the UConn hype and arrogance and we're also glad you're in the SEC...(we like it when teams there make acquisitions that will help them beat Kentucky.) The only thing better would be having you at Louisville in the ACC.

paulie






 




     

Wednesday Cardinal Couple -- Basketball, Lacrosse and Volleyball

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( Jenny O'Bryan fills us in on the latest UofL WBB commit...plus news from Lacrosse and Volleyball. )


CALIFORNIA'S CARTER COMMITS TO CARDS

Coach Jeff Walz added yet another piece to the 2014 puzzle with the announcement by Arica Carter that she will become a Louisville Cardinal.  Carter was on campus this past weekend with 3 of the young women who had previously verbally pledged to Louisville, Sydney Brackemyer, Ariana Freeman and Mariya Moore.  (The fourth verbal pledge, Myisha Hines-Allen, had already taken her official visit and was not on campus). 

Carter is a 5-8 combo guard out of Long Beach, CA and played AAU ball on the same club as Moore.    ESPN Hoopgurlz had this to say about her style of play:

Smooth, athletic combo-guard manufactures, elevates in mid-range game to the arc; soft touch on jumper with confident demeanor; uptempo contributor; defends in pressure. (Olson)

Carter is also known for her defensive presence on the floor.  Her defensive assignment in high school play is usually the best player on the court.  Check out this read to learn more about our future Cardinal.

http://www.presstelegram.com/sports/20130417/2013-all-area-girls-basketball-team-poly-highs-arica-carter-tops-press-telegram-picks

While Carter is a name that is relatively new to those of us that follow recruiting, it really should not come as too big of a surprise.  As an AAU clubmate of Moore as well as another potential recruit in Kristen Simon, my guess is the staff got to see plenty of Carter during this past summer circuit.  She apparently had a great last summer of ball, and it appears the Cardinal coaches were watching. 

Is this the final piece of the puzzle for 2014?  It is really hard to say.  There are two more names that have been floating around in relation to Louisville basketball and that is Kristen Simon (also from California) and A’Ja Wilson, one of the top (if not the top) player in the country. 

Simon is a 6-1 forward out of Los Angeles and was supposedly on campus this past weekend as well.  Her reported finalists are Louisville, CAL, Ohio State, Texas and Southern California.  Should she choose Louisville she will have plenty of west coast familiarity in Moore and Carter. 

Wilson is an intriguing prospect as a 6-5 forward out of South Carolina.  She is a program changer and can play most positions on the floor.  She has long stated that she will not sign in the early signing period, rather will wait til the regular signing period in April.   Where exactly Louisville stands with this top prospect is unknown, she has kept her recruitment pretty close to her chest.   This is definitely a name to remember, folks. 

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BOLTJA IS BEST FOR SECOND STRAIGHT SEASON

The 2013 Lacrosse team held it’s annual banquet this past weekend.   Awards handed out to several players.

Nikki Boltja was named the most valuable player for the second year in a row.   Coach Young stated  “our 2013 honoree is one of the most passionate, committed players I have every coached.  She will do whatever is asked and then some, to help her team win.”

Janaye Dzikewich earned the coaches award for the second year in a row.   Young stated Dzikewich is “ a stalwart in the face of adversity.  She exceeded all expectations and inspired those around her. “

Kaylinn Morissette earned rookie of the year honors.  She arguably had the best freshman season in school history.  Said Coach Young "she is one of the most dominant midfielders in the country. She impacted all aspects of our game in the 2013 season - attack, midfield, defense, and the draw.

"A developing leader, she is sure to have a remarkable impact on our program over the next three years."

Carissa Corbett earned most improved player award. 

Congratulations to all the honorees and to the team for a great season.  We look forward to seeing them again in the spring!


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VOLLEYBALL "SHOCKED" BY WICHITA STATE

A mid-week, non-conference trip to Wichita by Anne Kordes' Volleyball squad proved disappointing...as the Wichita State Shockers pulled off the upset by downing Louisville in five games 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 15-10.

Brooke Mattingly had 15 kills for the Cards, joined by Janelle Jenkins (11) and Emily Juhl (12) as double-figure kill artists...but Louisville once again stumbles in the fifth and deciding set.

Early success for UofL, taking a 11-3 lead in the first and up 21-13 late before winning by five. Jenkins and Mattingly with four kills each to put the Cards up 1-0.

The WSU Shockers (17-4) rallied back in game two, grabbing their first lead at 21-20 and going on a game-ending 4-2 run to even the match. A quiet game for Cards freshman Maya McClendon, with just two kills in the first two sets.

Louisville led early in the third game 11-10 and built the advantage to 17-13...but a WSU rally tied it at 18-18 and the host team out-pointed the Cards 7-3 down the stretch. McClendon responded with four kills...but the Cards were down two games to one.

With their back against the wall, Louisville trailed WSU 14-11 in the fourth after a 5-0 Shocker run. The Cards would rally back to tie at 15-15 and the game remained close...the teams deadlocked at 22-22 before Mattingly, Randi Ewing and Juhl propelled Louisville to a game ending 3-0 run.

The fifth set was all WSU. Jumping out to a 4-0 lead, the Shockers increased that to 7-2, withstood a Louisville challenge that cut the lead to 13-10 and tallied the final two points of the match to take game and match.

The Cards travel to face the Cincinnati Bearcats next. Game is on Friday with a 7 p.m. start.