Payton Verhulst Named All-American -- Taylor Roby ACC Softball P.O.W. -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 

PAYTON VERHULST -- MCDONALD'S ALL AMERICAN

University of Louisville women's basketball signee for the 2021-22 season Payton Verhulst has been named a McDonald's All-American. 

Verhulst, a 6'1" guard out of Bishop Miege High School in DeSoto, Kansas is one of 24 high school girls' basketball players to receive the 2021 award. Her squad is ranked #1 in the state of Kansas and her Bishop Miege Stags are 17-1 on the season. Verhulst is the #4 ranked guard in the ESPNW evaluations and was the 2019-20 Player of the Year in Kansas. 

Payton brings an ability to create mid-range shots and is a definite threat from three-point range. She follows the tradition of Jeff Walz recruiting guard that can rebound well and she is strong defensively. A relatively tall guard at 6'1", her length causes problems for opponents when she is playing defense and she's an un-selfish teammate that can perform equally well in the half-court game or in a up-tempo setting. 

She'll join several All-Americans currently on Walz's roster in Olivia Cochran, Liz Dixpn, Elizabeth Balogun, Hailey Van Lith and the WNBA bound Dana Evans. 

We extend our most heartfelt congratulations to Payton for this special accomplishment and can't wait for her to arrive at Louisville and turn the KFC YUM! Center into "Payton's Place". 

TAYLOR ROBY ACC SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

University of Louisville's softball student-athlete Taylor Roby has been named the ACC Softball Player of the Week for the period ending February 22nd. 

Roby, who hails from Bullitt East High School in Mt. Washington, KY, had a wonderful week with the Cards, who have won their last three games. She batted .438 in the "Triangle Pod ACC Games" and the redshirt junior had three home runs. 10 RBI's and scored three times. She also had a one-hit shutout in the circle against Virginia in a 4-0 win back on Feb 21st. 

On the 20th, Roby had a two-RBI home run to help Louisville down the Cavaliers 5-4 

A dual-threat, Roby has driven in runs in four out of her last five games and leads the Cards with 17.2 innings pitched and in strikeout while in the circle with 10. 

Our congratulations to "T.R." and we're confident that her future appearances will be "Taylor Made" for Cardinal wins! Things are going great for the Cards #8 !! 

Have a wonderful Wednesday! 

paulie

WBB Cards Jump to #2 -- Dana Evans Awards -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WBB Cards Jump to #2 in Polls

After a three-game sweep in the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, including a major victory over #1 Oregon, Louisville women's basketball moved up in the rankings.  In fact, they jumped all the way from #8 to #2.  Not too shabby for a team that had three starters graduate last year, huh?

The Cards are now 8-0 on the year after a red hot start to the year.  They have four road games before they return home to the KFC Yum! enter to start conference play.

Louisville seemed to turn heads with their win.  The Cards had some preseason doubters, especially with the loss of Asia Durr.  But those doubters didn't seem to know just how talented this year's roster is.  And with the incredible coaching staff we have it was an easy turnaround.

This year's squad has learned fast.  The defense has continuously improved and shut down some major offensive threats.  On offense, the pace and ball movement has quickened and starting to reflect that of Jeff Walz teams from the past. Kylee Shook has begun to make her presence known in the paint and the Cards are grasping the idea of team play.

Here's the Top 10 (plus a few teams of local interest):

1 Stanford
2 Louisville
3 Oregon
4 UConn
5 Oregon State
6 South Carolina
7 Baylor
8 Florida State
9 Maryland
10 Mississippi State
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13 NC State
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15 Kentucky
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21 Miami

Four ACC teams are currently ranked.  The Cards also face Kentucky soon, who sits at 15th in the country.

Dana Evans Earns Awards

Dana Evans earned espnW National Player of the Week and ACC Player of the Week honors after an impressive performance at the Paradise Jam.

The junior guard averaged 21.3 points per game while shooting 47%.  She shot .524 from three-point range and was a near perfect 17-18 at the free throw line while at the "Jam".

Evans has stepped up as a leader on the team and starting to show her colors as a true point guard.

Louisville travels to Columbus for a match-up against Ohio State this Thursday. The Buckeyes are at 4-3 so far this season and head coach Kevin McGuff has quite a young roster, with 10 of his 13 players either freshmen or sophomores.

OSU has lost to UConn 62-73, South Dakota 53-68 and Ohio 68-74.

A Great Read

Want to know more about 2022 Louisville verbal commit Alexia Mobley? We're happy to provide the link below about the Reynoldsburg, OH student-athlete. 

This read is well worth the time ! 

/////////// LINK:   ALEXIA MOBLEY  \\\\\\\\\\

Her announcement Tweet : 

Alexia Mobley@AlexiaMobley23

Beyond excited to announce my commitment to @UofLWBB ! Thank you @CoachJeffWalz @villehoopcoach @CoachJPineda24 @SamPurcellCards for this opportunity.. L’s uuuuuup! #GoCards #whenyouknowyouknow @AngelsBballClub @CoachDante

Happy Tuesday and Go Cards!

Jared

Louisville women's basketball -- Tuesday is Durr Day -- TUESDAY CARDINALCOUPLE

DURR ACC PLAYER OF THE WEEK, NAMED TO WOODEN LATE SEASON TOP 20. 

The awards keep stacking up for Louisville junior guard Asia Durr.

On Monday, she was named the ACC Player of the Week and also named to the John R.Wooden Award Late Season Top 20 list. 

I know, there are a ton of college basketball awards out there. These are two of the bigger ones, though, and the prestige and honor that goes with them is note-worthy and quite the accomplishment. 

ACC PLAYER OF THE WEEK. 

It's the fourth time that Durr has been selected for the Player of the Week. She averaged 24 points per game in Louisville's road wins at Virginia and Syracuse. 

In Charlottesville, she shot a blistering 54.5 % from the floor and gathered 21 points for the Cards in the 77-41 road win over the Cavs. That was followed with 27 points on 9-15 shooting plus seven assists in the 84-77 "W" at Syracuse. She also made the 1,500 point club at the Carrier Dome. 

It's been a remarkable season for "Nite-Nite".

She ranks second in the ACC in scoring with 20 points per game. Her 46.6 shooting percentage is tops in the ACC and fifth in the nation in three-pointers. 

I firmly believe she is the best player in the country. The Cards can help push that agenda by progressing forward and winning the ACC and advancing to the Final Four. 

I also think our illustrious mayor of Louisville should proclaim an Asia Durr Day here in our fair city and encourage everyone to display the number "25" in some form or fashion.  


JOHN R. WOODEN AWARD

Durr joins nineteen women's college basketball players on the award list for the top basketball player in DI. The award is chosen by a poll of national college basketball experts based on the players' performances during the year. It is narrowed to 20 after the first half of the season. 

She has some stellar company on the list of twenty. 

Joining Durr from the ACC are Lexie Brown (Duke), Arike Ogunbowale (Notre Dame) and Shakayla Thomas (FSU). The AAC has four on the list, all from UConn, in Napheesa Collier, Kia Nurse, Katie Lou Samuelson and Gabby Williams. The SEC is well-represented with four contestants in Sophie Cunningham (Missouri), Teaira McCowan (Mississippi St.) Victoria Vivians (Mississippi St.) and A'ja Wilson (South Carolina). 

The PAC-12 has three student-athletes in the top 20 with Kristine Anigwe (Cal), Jordin Canada (UCLA) and Sabrina Ionescu (Oregon). So does the Big Ten with Megan Gustafson (Iowa), Katelynn Flaherty (Michigan) and Kelsey Mitchell (Ohio St.) The Big 12 roundds out the list with two players in Ariel Atkins (Texas) and Kalani Brown (Baylor). 

Overall, 16 schools are represented in the top 20 list and six conferences . Ten of the players are seniors, nine juniors and one is a sophomore. 

Here's a couple of questions for you, our readers.

So, can one make an argument for senior Myisha Hines-Allen being on the list? I think you can. She averages a double-double with 14.4 ppg and 10.3 rebounds. She was on the pres-season All-ACC teams and has been named ACC player of the Week once. Four UConn players is maybe overkill and the only other team with two players on the list in Mississippi State. I'll take charge here and put her 21st.

Is Asia Durr the best player in women's college basketball? I say "Yes". Her accomplishments this season are out of this world. 

- Over 1500 points in her career
- Has over 70 made three-pointers
- Naismith Trophy Watch List
- 47 points against Ohio State, a school record
- Preseason All conference and all-american 

And, that's just a few of the accolades for #25.

Durr, predictably, would point to her teammates for her achievements. And, that's the beautiful thing about this team. They're in it together. Individual awards are great but team success is goal #1. She has become that "first name only needed" player at UofL, along with Shoni and Angel. There are troubles and controversy galore on campus, with the men's basketball team and blah, blah, blah but there is a sense of pride, acknowledgement and love for the dozen student-athletes that gather in the Little YUM! to do work for Coach Walz and his staff. 

Coach Walz is holding a press conference this afternoon, presumably to talk about Durr, the wins and Clemson.

Do you have a question for Coach Walz ? Leave it in the comments section or e-mail it to me at cardinalcouple@twc.com by noon today and I'll toss it out. That goes for Durr as well if she's present. 

A heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Durr for these spectacular accomplishments and keep 'em coming! 

(Speaking of Asia's...congratulations to Asia Taylor, who has been re-signed by the Washington Mystics. We see ya, #31.)


Paulie
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Louisville women's basketball...Walz, Hines-Allen Talk ACC Tournament -- Wednesday CARDINAL COUPLE

WBB READY FOR ACC TOURNAMENT

Jeff Walz and Myisha Hines-Allen met with the media Tuesday morning to discuss...what else? The upcoming ACC Tournament. They did delve into a few other subjects as well...Walz reminding me that they no longer use chain nets anymore...which, is a shame...they used to make such a neat noise if you were lucky enough to swish one from the deep. 

We have their full comments below for you to listen to...let's review the highights. 


WALZ: THEY'RE AS HEALTHY AS THEY'RE GOING TO GET

Walz answered questions about many different subjects in his nearly 20 minutes interaction with the media. Appearing chipper, in good spirits and not going off on any rants or tangents...he is looking forward to the trip to Conway, SC

On playing the early games...He's in favor of the 11 a.m. tip-off on Thursday...as well as a 11 a.m. match-up against NC State if they get by the winner of the Clemson vs. Virginia Tech contest.  

On his confidence level as a #5 seed. Walz is very confident. The squad is as healthy as it has been, taking out Briahanna Jackson...who will not play in the ACC Tournament. He has a good feeling about the freshmen and his depth...which has been getting a lot of experience lately . 

A first game preference? Walz really doesn't have one. He pointed out that both Virginia Tech and Clemson played them close until the fourth quarter. Virginia Tech is very quick, crafty with the basketball. Clemson has a group of young kids playing with a lot of confidence right now. 

A secondary goal for the tournament. There is and it's being a top four seed in one of the NCAA Regions and being able to host the first and second round games. A second round win over either VT or Clemson is very much need and the further they go, the better their chances of securing home court advantage for the NCAA Tournament. 

Syd's recent play? Coach was very complimentary of several freshmen and mentioned that team had to guard her or she would make them play. He attributes her work ethic, pointing out that she is getting down the court much faster now and creating her shot instead of just watching and waiting. 

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW: 

COACH WALZ TALKS ACC TOURNAMENT AND CHAIN NETS!

MYISHA TAKES THE MICROPHONE

Hines-Allen spoke with the media shortly after Walz and had the following observations. 

On being Player of the Week in the ACC? She was happy to be recognized for that but pointed out that it was her teammates that made it possible. Without Asia and Mariya's assists, the team's rebounding and recognition it wouldn't happen. It's basically a case of everyone doing their job. 

On playing at Coastal Carolina instead of Greensboro. Hines-Allen has been to the Myrtle Beach area before and it's not any big deal with the change of venue. A smaller arena that's packed full of fan can make a lot of noise, which motivates the players. 

On moving to the "3". The question got a big grin from her and she "loves talking about her move to the guard spot".  It is a big adjustment and the hardest part is learning the plays from that position on the floor. It's also a little practice for her hopes at an WNBA career..where she may not be solely a "4".

On a healthy Asia Durr this year at tournament time. Myisha recognized Asia as the best player on the team but looks at it as everyone giving what they can for the team effort. You give yourself up for the team for the betterment of the team and hope to advance far. As she said..."Mariya had a great freshman year, I had a great sophomore year and now it's Asia turn." 

The sense of urgency this time of year. You have to have it and make sure that the freshmen realize it as well. One loss and you're done. even in the ACC Tournament, where one bad half can knock you out of it...based on the quality of the opposition. 

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW: 

MYISHA HINES-ALLEN TALKS ACC AND MORE!


Fun stuff with both Tuesday. As you read this, they are in Conway...safe and snuggled into their rooms...awaiting today and the next four days of the tournament. 


DON'T FORGET TO GET YOUR ACC TOURNAMENT PICKS IN BY 1 p.m today  (e.s.t.)


LACROSSE TODAY AGAINST CINCINNATI


6 P.M. is the start time for this one....at the "Ellis" (Louisville Lacrosse Stadium). The Cards were successful in their Florida jaunt and look to extend the win streak to two. 

Head over to give a look....even if it's only to see just how fast Hannah Koloski is. We're guessing there might even be a food truck on site...they get some good ones in the lot for Lacrosse...so go celebrate "Hump Day" the Lacrosse way! 


paulie
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