Field Hockey wins on Senior Day -- Loretta Kakala transferring -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

BETHANY RUSS GOAL IN O.T. SENDS CARDS PAST MIAMI

In cool and damp conditions and for the second straight contest, the Louisville Field Hockey squad found themselves faced with overtime in their Sunday contest at Trager against Miami (OH). This match had been a scoreless affair, much like the Friday tilt with Duke, until the RedHawks capitalized on a penalty corner with no time left in the first half. 

Louisville drew even with about eight minutes gone in the final half. Meche Pastor sent a baseline shot net-ward that Madison Walsh corralled and put past the RedHawks goalkeeper. For Madison, it was her first score of the season. 

Miami was relentless on the attack, though, and with about 12 minutes of action remaining, drew a couple of penalty corners. The RedHawks found success on the second corner and Leonor Berlie got her second score of the contest to put Miami in the lead. 

As the end of regulation drew near, a succession of green and yellow penalty cards (four in all) started stacking up on the RedHawks and the ultimate came when Miami head coach Inako Puzo received a red card for comments and was ejected from the contest with 32 seconds remaining in regulation. Just a few seconds earlier, the Cards had earned a penalty corner and Bethany Russ got her first score of the contest to tie action at 2-2.

Miami nearly won it at the end of regulation when their leading scorer on the season -- Paula Portugal -- found herself in front of Cardinal goalkeeper Ayeshia McFerran with the ball. Her shot sailed high over the net, though -- the Cards had escaped the last ditch effort by the RedHawks and this bird battle was headed to overtime. 

With the 7v7 format in overtime in place, Miami (OH) actually had just six players on the turf because of the late yellow card on attacker Noor Breedijk and Louisville used the player-up advantage to control action, ultimately getting a penalty corner chance just a minute-thirty into extra action, where Russ delivered again, her ninth goal of the season...this time on a pass from Alli Bitting to end the sudden-victory session. 

More on Puzo...you could hear the Miami skipper's comments and complaints up in the press box and his continuous dissatisfaction and belittling of the officiating crew caught up with him. It's the first time I can remember a coach getting ejected from a field hockey contest that I've seen. He watched the remaining action through the fence on the McDonald's side of Trager. I did see him after the contest back on the field surrounded by his wife and children -- an unfortunate loss of control and decorum by him...earlier...which, although may have not cost the RedHawks the contest -- his assistants seemed in control of the situation out of the field -- but his unfortunate actions certainly didn't help the RedHawks chances. 

Louisville hits the highway for their final three games of the regular season. The Cards will visit ACC foe Syracuse on Oct 21st, swing over to Albany on the 23rd and end up at Kent State on Oct. 28th. 

Paulie caught up with Coach Sowry and the four seniors...Ayeshia McFerran, Maria Gomez, Taylor Stone and Katie Walsh...after the contest and you can hear those interviews below: 

MIAMI POST GAME JUSTINE SOWRY

SENIORS AFTER 3-2 WIN OVER MIAMI


LORETTA KAKALA LEAVING LOUISVILLE WBB SQUAD


The tweets started surfacing Sunday and my voice mail, inbox and texts started piling up in an rapid fashion. 

Redshirt freshman Loretta Kakala had made public via her Instagram account and Twitter feeds indicated that she was transferring from the University of Louisville women's basketball squad. Heading to Pacific (CA) University. 

And the question came up.....why? 

I guess we'll never really know. Indications seemed to lead to the stated desire to play closer to home and get a fresh start with the possibility of more playing time at school very close -- fifteen minutes -- to her home town of Manteca, CA.

Speculation developed after the Cards 2017-18 season what role she would play on the 2018-19 Cardinal WBB squad. Most figured she'd contribute a few minutes on the front line, with returnees Sam Fuehring, Kylee Shook and Bionca Dunham getting the majority of the minutes at power forward and center and incoming transfer Yacine Diop from Pitt definitely contributing there. 

Reports from a source near the program indicated that her conditioning wasn't exactly going as planned but these reports were not confirmed by me and the announcement of her transfer on Sunday caught many Cardinal WBB fans by surprise. The bottom line is, as it is in most transfer situations, is that you want to do the right thing for the player and their student-athlete experience and if it's determined that the player might be more comfortable and receive more playing time elsewhere...then they should go pursue those desires and goals. 

Hello there! 

A check of the UofL roster at the GoCards site still had Kakala listed, but sometimes it takes a bit to change this information, especially when the announcement is made on a Sunday. And, sports information rarely posts or discusses transfers out, which is understandable. 

The 6'2" center played in four games in 2017 for the Cards...a total of 43 minutes (10.8 a game average). She totaled 12 points on 6 for 16 shooting and had 12 rebounds. She red-shirted after the fourth contest. 

Pacific has a D-I women's basketball program and competes in the West Coast Conference. 10 conference members...maybe best known for Gonzaga, BYU and Pepperdine. The Tigers were 15-17 last season with a 7-11 conference mark and finished sixth in the conference. 


So, "Retta"...we barely got to know you and wonder what might have become of your career at UofL but...as women's college basketball fans...certainly wish you good times, a great career and the best of luck at Pacific. 

Transfers in. Transfers out. All an increasing part of the college basketball games these days. The bottom line analysis is that any college basketball roster is going to change throughout the year and those changes, whether they be injury, red-shirt or transfer...have to be dealt with in terms of what is best for the student-athlete and the team must move forward. 


paulie
xxxxx

Louisville Women's basketball -- Media Day...Comments and Clips -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WALZ TALKS TO MEDIA...MEDIA TALKS TO PLAYERS

Paulie chat up Kylee Shook with assistant
interviewer Jaz Jones assisting (Photo by Daryl Foust)

I'm into my second decade of covering Louisville women's basketball media days and this is the first time I can remember them feeding us. That's how the day started...sub sandwiches, chips and water. Sonya and I arrived at the Yum! Practice Center (the first time the event has been held there) in time for that and got to share a table with Daryl Foust, who's been on the radio with us and writes for The Crunch Zone,  Mike Gilpatrick, another alumni from The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour and Nick Curran, radio voice of the Louisville women's basketball squad. The conversation was generalized...football's woes, a scrimmage the WBB squad had against Bellarmine on Sunday (which Nick got to attend) and the ACC Network Extra pulling the rug out from under Daryl for softball play-by-play this year. 

That, in itself, could be a whole different article and shame on UofL (seems we've been saying that a lot lately) for sidelining one of the best and brightest upcoming female, hell...any gender...announcers in our area. The decision was to go with Maryssa Becker instead and we'll wait until spring to diagnose that....other than questioning why BOTH of them couldn't be in the booth together? 

From Nick, both teams shot well in the scrimmage and the coaches got to spread the time pretty equally. It was there we found out that Lindsey Duvall did not play and is having knee-clean up surgery that will sideline her for the season. She'll take the red-shirt and the team was planning to go visit her after Monday's practice. 

Arica waits for Kylee's response at UofL WBB Media Day
(Photo by Daryl Foust) 

After the chow, we headed downstairs the media interview room in "the little YUM". It's a smaller room that the one in the SAC, where we've gone in the past for these, and the attendance was larger than I've seen in the past. So, seating was at a premium...but ol' Paulie got one of the last ones. I got to sit next to Paul Rogers, the affable play-by-play caller for football and men's hoops. He probably doesn't remember the time he signed the back of a promotion shirt for me...nor the story...where, several months later, I was wearing that shirt in a restaurant with Sonya and thylis middle-aged women cam e up from behind me and started gushing about how well I did play-by-play and explained game. After my initial bemusement, I finally told her that I wasn't Paul Rogers, he has just signed this particular shirt...but I knew him and would pass on the compliments. 

I don't think I've ever worn a shirt I've autographed and I'd guess that Paul Rogers hasn't either. In fact, I'm not sure if I have ever autographed a shirt. 

How many of these Cardinal greats can you name? 

Walz came in and the interview process began. Jeff doesn't like to do opening statements...so after greeting us, he opened up room up for questions. I went first. This gave Coach Walz the chance to get his first zinger of the year in on me. 

"Coach, what's the main thing you're looking to see out of this group early on in the season?" I queried? 

"Well, I guess our number one goal is to score more points that the the people we play. We hope to make more baskets than our opponents." Walz psuedo-seriously replied. 

He did on go to remark that he was looking to see a few players improve this year. Mentioning Sam Fuehring and Jazmine Jones specifically, Walz commented that has been impressed with their practice performances and is waiting to see if that will transfer over to game day.

In the almost half-hour long session with the media...Walz covered a lot of things. Durr. Hines-Allen. Fuehring and Jones. The Freshmen. The opponents. Some highlights below: 


-- Freshman Dana Evans is looking spectacular on the court and plays defense much better than the average freshman.  Loretta Kakala is very productive in the minutes she plays...while still working on conditioning. 

-- Myisha Hines-Allen progression from her freshman to senior is quite amazing. She's in the best shape ever since she's been her. He's looking for a consistent season from her. 

-- Kylee Shook has become more of a force with her back-to-the-basket this year. 

-- Walz will not re-appear as "The Man in the Yellow Hat" tonight for Halloween, he would not disclose this year's outfit but did mention that homes with full-size candy bars would likely get a second visit...even if it necessitated the kids changing costumes. 

To hear Walz and see Walz without audible media questions...go to:  http://gocards.com/watch/?Archive=7643&type=Archive

You can hear the entire Walz media session (including questions) here: JEFF WALZ ADDRESSES THE MEDIA ON MEDIA DAY

This is a nice sequence from Louisville Athletics: https://twitter.com/GoCards/status/925105054779981825/video/1 Watch Arica teach the Attack Yorkie a dance move! 

(The players' clips below are available through SoundCloud. SoundCloud is FREE and we use it for our audio files. You can download it for free at soundcloud.com) 

After an extensive Q&A...it was time to go talk to the players. Without question, this is always my favorite part of Media Day and I get in as many player chats as we can before they toss me of the practice court. Assisting me for the third year in a row on some of these was Arica Carter...it was a little harder to get her freed up this year since she's become such a celebrity...but we were able to get some good clips in...



-- I started wiht Sydney Zambrotta. You can hear that one here:  https://soundcloud.com/user-748907999/dr0000_1233mp3

-- Bionca Dunham talks Philly and food:  https://soundcloud.com/user-748907999/dr0000_1235mp3

-- We also caught up with Retta Kakala: https://soundcloud.com/user-748907999/dr0000_1234mp3

-- Next up, our buddy J.J. Jazmine Jones and Halloween: https://soundcloud.com/user-748907999/dr0000_1236mp3

-- We finally drug our assistant interview away from the hoarding masses and got her to accompany us to complete the interviews. First up was Kylee Shook. Hear Kylee here:
https://soundcloud.com/user-748907999/dr0000_1237mp3

-- We got a two-for-one in our final interview...as Arica and I started with Jess Laemmle and ended with Dana Evans. Listen! https://soundcloud.com/user-748907999/dr0000_1238mp3

-- I did at least get a quick chat with Myisha before the girls went to review the scrimmage film against Bellarmine. Myisha speaks: https://soundcloud.com/user-748907999/dr0000_1239mp3

I probably didn't get to some of your favorites, but...they keep things on a tight schedule for practice and they let Walz run pretty long...however, it's always a pleasure to "do" the Media Day thing and we hope you enjoy the clips! 

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HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE AND LEAVE US WHAT YOUR FAVORITE HALLOWEEN CANDY IS OR A SCARY HALLOWEEN STORY IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION !! 

If this guy shows up at your door on
Halloween...run and hide!

paulie
xxxxx

LOUISVILLE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL -- Jeff Walz exclusive Interview and Paulie's trip to the D.P.S. -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WALZ ANTICIPATING THE BATTLES AHEAD

I had the opportunity to interview Louisville women's head basketball coach Jeff Walz Monday afternoon in his new office at the YUM! Practice Facility on Floyd Street. Coach's office is on the south side of the second floor is where the Volleyball offices used to be. An extensive remodeling job has been done in the space...starting with the entrance to the offices...where a new, security code enabled, installed door awaits you at the top of the stairs. 

Fortunately, assistant sports information director for WBB Nick Evans had agreed to meet me in the first floor lobby to take me upstairs and was there to greet me when I arrived at the facility. We took the elevator to the second floor...but not before we ran into Asia Durr getting ready to leave the facility. It was great to see #25 and we chatted briefly before Nick and I went upstairs. 

One thing you notice when you enter the complex is that one of smiling Kate Tucker's work stations is located inside the door directly to your right. I chatted with Kate a few minutes while Nick went back to see if Coach was ready for our chat. Over her shoulder there is a large series of windows that allow you to see the practice court. As we talked, I was able to see Lindsay Duvall and another player I couldn't quite identify but I'm thinking it was Dana Evans practicing shooting. I noticed a lot of their long-range shots going in as I sat waiting for Coach. 

After my brief, amicable chat with both Nick and Kate, Coach Walz was ready to see me. There is a small greeting/reception area before you enter coach's office. His new digs are the furthest down the hall on the south side of the building and the office is directly across from Sam Purcell's office. His desk faces eastward and a series of comfy chairs are placed in front of his desk next to a large window that allows you to see the lacrosse field further south. I could see Kellie Young conducting practice with the "Laxers" and further in the distance Papa John's Cardinal Football Stadium and soccer's Lynn Stadium are readily visible. Coach warmly greeted me, he's looking to be in great shape and was wearing the customary day-old beard stubble we see on him most of the time. He's lucky...his isn't grey like mine yet. 

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Coach and I started the interview. If you have Soundcloud, you should be able to hear the entire interview that is linked at the bottom of the page. If not, you'll have to wait until Saturday's radio show...aptly named THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR. Nick Evans sat in on the interview as well. I've interviewed Walz probably over 50 times since he arrived here as head coach in some interesting settings and with various people present but never with his S.I.D. present. It was absolutely no problem, though, and we must have done a passable job because Nick didn't fall asleep during the 12 minute interview. 

Security coded access points. Security at the door. Interviews conducted under the watchful eye of a Walz staffer. What's this world coming to?  I'm beginning to get the idea that they're on to Paulie after all these years. At least they haven't implemented the body cavity search yet.  (Sorry, was just practicing my sarcastic yet humorous style in preparation for Hoops season...) 


I actually like the extra attention they're paying to Paulie and visitors these days and can understand the need to be a little tighter about things than the way things were set up over at the SAC building...where you could basically walk up on a number of coaches and staffers...even the women's basketball offices without a single check-point except for Margaret or Jeremy out front. I also noticed a couple of weeks ago that my old "back-way" to access the Cardinal Arena floor via elevator also had a security door. I'm wondering if Coach Sowry's office at the Field Hockey complex is set up like that, too? 


Coach Walz and I started with reviewing how the summer went for him. As you listen, you'll hear that he had a great trip to Colorado Springs and then to Japan as the head coach of the USA U 23 team. You'll also hear what lies ahead for him this fall and how excited he is for the opportunity to be a floor coach for the national team. Santa Barbara for the Nationals next stop on the Walz Across America 2017 tour! 

We moved on to a discussion of the 2017-18 schedule after that. Coach is excited about the preseason WNIT that starts Nov. 10th. against SEMO. That's right, kiddies...women's basketball is a mere 51 days away.  We discussed a few of the other non-conference and conference foes...including the early November trip to Columbus, OH where UofL will get a chance to play Ohio State on the court where the NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four will take place. 

Our discussion turned to Jessica Laemmle's receipt of a scholarship and Coach talked about how she had put in the work to earn it. He chuckled when I referred to her as an "attack Yorkie". 

We also covered the center position and he made some very good points and observations about the history of that position since he has been the head coach of the program. Following that, we discussed the three 2017 arrivals to the squad and his expectations and thoughts for each of the three (Lindsey Duvall, Dana Evans and Retta Kakala). 

We ended our interview with a discussion of a couple of players that might warrant some special fan attention in the upcoming season...and a general overview of the new facilities. The 12-minute interview seemed to go much faster than 12 minutes. Coach stays busy, so we concluded our talks with a few off-microphone discussion topics, exchanged farewell greetings and Nick and I exited the office. 

I wish I had remembered to bring my cell phone to snap a few pictures but, unfortunately, I left it in my car. Still...a very good and informative chat with the head honcho of Cardinal women's basketball. Then, things took a downward spiral...

LINK TO INTERVIEW: 

PAULIE INTERVIEW WITH JEFF WALZ 9/18/19



PAULIE VISITS THE D.P.S.



I concluded my Monday trip to campus with a stop by the Department of Public Safety Office to re-submit my Handicapped Parking information. This was a follow-up to a previous visit where I filled out the application. The permit request was promptly denied (because it wasn't on the official University paperwork form) . Those friendly and thoughtful folks in that facility (Not!) need a few customer service lessons. They refuse to accept a legal and notarized physician's statement that ol' Paulie is still in need of accessible parking. A document issued by the Commonwealth of Kentucky..the place where the campus is located...is not worth the paper it is printed on down on Louisville's Belknap Campus 

I ask you, is this anyway to treat a highly popular but non-paid, part-time radio host on a not-for-profit, community radio station? 

I'm walking a lot better than I was in May after my right hip replacement but I'm not running a 4.3 - 40 yard dash just yet. I've also got a left knee that is failing pretty badly on me. The D.P.S. folks also want the princely sum of $150 for access to what the state gives you free.

I'll repeat that again. $150 a year to park for the handicapped on UofL property. 

 Look what we can do, Louisville, indeed. This boondoggle shakedown is another fine example of how disconnected the UofL administration can be at times toward the needs of their patrons and people promoting their University. UofL doesn't offer on-campus Media Parking permits. They also don't offer much sympathy or assistance to an old man who can't walk as good as most. I thought about calling Tom Jurich...but that man has enough on his plate these days already and probably would not be able to help anyway. Inter-departmental intercourse has a way of ending up vanishing in a sea of tangled communication lines, officious documents, ignored e-mails and rigid policies.

So. A unfortunate ending to a great day. I left my paperwork at the D.P.S. and told them to figure it out. I expect I'll get an update by the first snowfall in our fair city. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the job these officers do to protect and serve on campus. But, their office staff needs to be read their Miranda rights and hauled away. 

I wish I had better bone structure and could walk normally and with ease. I am working hard every day to strengthen my body after the hip replacement and hope to have my knee up and running again someday. Thanks, UofL D.P.S. for your concern, assistance and care in helping me cover sporting events and talk to coaches. I think I'll just heist a golf cart next time and drive the campus with reckless abandon. With Bill the Goat, a passel of Chimps and maybe even a Bjerke on board. 

Back to the positive. After all, that's what we do here. We promote the joy and excitement of UofL Women's Sports. Most days, that's the easiest job around. 

A special thanks to Coach Walz, Nick and Kate for making it a very enjoyable visit, preview and glance ahead of 2017-18 Cardinal Women's Basketball. It could be a very memorable season for Walz and company and we'll be here at Cardinal Couple to cover each step of the journey! 

And...good luck to Field Hockey today at Northwestern! Go Minnie, go Minnie! This one starts at 4 p.m. and is on the BTN2GO network...which means it's subscription based and not a freebie. 


LINK TO WALZ INTERVIEW: 

PAULIE AND COACH WALZ 9/18/17

paulie
xxxxx

Kakala, Duvall on campus...Robins, Robinson in action -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

TWO 2017 COMMITS VISIT CAMPUS

Two of the three future WBB Cards were on campus over the Memorial Day weekend taking a visit. Retta Kakala and Lindsey Duvall got to spend time on the Belknap Campus and see the progress on the WBB Cards new digs over at the Little YUM! as well as spend time with their future teammates and coaches. 

For Duvall, the journey was maybe 20 miles...straight down Bardstown Road to the (presumably) Gene Snyder and I-65 North. That's the way I get there when I make my treks to Floyd St. Kakala covered a bit more ground...2281 miles, to be fairly accurate...we're assuming it was a flight and not a three-day drive for the talented center. 

Both will be important pieces of the 2017-18 Cardinal WBB squad. Duvall, with her excellent shooting and lock-down defense will battle and test the returning guards for playing time. Kakala, the only true center listed on the roster, will have the chance right off the bat to gain playing time and contribute inside for Jeff Walz and her teammates.  

The process begins again...I wonder if senior Myisha Hines-Allen ever thinks back to her first visit to the campus? She's the only senior left on this 2017-18 roster...her and Arica Carter the only two left from that class. No one left on that roster that experienced the trip to the Final Four and New Orleans Arena to play for the National Championship. No one remains that played in the AAC or Big East. 

What stories will Kakala, Duvall and Dana Evans have to tell or remember when they enter their senior seasons...possibly for the 2020-21 season? Will they still be on campus? Remember, Hines-Allen and Carter came in with Syd Brackemyre (University of Indianapolis), Ariana Freeman (Colorado) and Mariya Moore (USC).  

The names change. Can't avoid that...it is only a 4-5 (or less) year stay and process in a young women's life. If that. A time to be relished and enjoyed, though. A time for learning and for successes and failures. A time to grow. 

Who will be the Kakala's, Duvall's and Evans' four years from now? The coaches are already working on that list...will there be another Angel, Shoni or Asia in that group?  

The process. It is on-going. 


*******************************************************


A LOOK AT 2018

Is it too early to call them the "R&R Girls"? 

Thanks to regular reader T.J. we get a look at two of the 2018 verbals headed to Louisville WBB...Seygan Robins and Mykasa Robinson...playing for the Kentucky Premier team. 

Good stuff. Robins is deadly from trifecta range early on in the video and Robinson the consummate team player. 

Premier is undoubtedly one of the best AAU programs in the country and has helped develop a fantastic group of young women over the years to go on and play at all levels of women's college basketball. 

Enjoy the link below: 

LINK: KENTUCKY PREMIER with Seygan Robins and Mykasa Robinson.


paulie
xxxxx

Lacrosse, Kakala, Expansion and Papa....FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

LACROSSE FALLS TO VIRGINIA 13-12 

A heart-breaker last night in Richmond Virginia...Louisville Lacrosse going to sudden victory against the Virginia Cavaliers in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament in Richmond, VA. and losing 13-12. 

The Cards came out strong and led 2-0 in the early going. Virginia regrouped, though, and rolled off three straight scores to take the lead. UofL roared back with a 3-0 run their own and led 5-3 after 10 minutes of exciting, bang-bang action on the pitch. 

Louisville led 7-5 with nine minutes remaining in the half but went scoreless the rest of the way and the Wahoos tied it up at 7-7 as the teams took the midway break. The Cards were controlling the draw control 10-5 and Brittany Read was defending the net with all her skills...with eight saves in the first 30 minutes. 

UofL took the early lead in the second half when Meghan Siverson got her third score but Virginia came back with three straight goals to go up 10-8. With 20:22 to play, an unfortunate and controversial second yellow card was awarded to Siverson and the Cards leading scorer for the game and draw control specialist was disqualified from the contest. It gave the Cards something to rally around...and Louisville scored four straight goals to take a 12-10 lead with 9:40 to play. Kellie Young's squad was still up 12-11 with 1:16 to play...but UVA managed the tying goal and held the Cards scoreless over the next 76 seconds to force the extra session. 

Virginia won the overtime draw control and 47 seconds later, Kasey Behr fired a steamer from the left side of the net past Read to give the Wahoos the victory.

Kellie Young: 

"We left our hearts on the field but needed a little more grit to secure the win."  

The Cards now await their fate in the NCAA women's lacrosse selection show Sunday at 9 p.m. Louisville looks to be on the bubble for making the tournament. 26 teams, including 13 conference champions, will take place in a single elimination process...the six top-seeded getting a first round bye. 




RETTA KAKALA NAMED TO CA ALL STATE TEAM

2017 Cardinal signee Loretta Kakala was named to the 2016-17 All - California Girls All State second team. The 6'3" center from Manteca High School comes to Louisville as the #2 ranked post in the nation by ESPNW and has impressed the coaches with her football, rebounding and aggressiveness in the paint. 

On coming to Louisville...Retta K had this to say: 

" I want the Louisville fans to know I am excited about coming there and will work hard to make everyone proud of me and be a part of a great group of teammates." 

She'll get that chance right away, it would appear. She'll be the only center listed on the roster and the second tallest player on the 2017-18 team...only Kylee Shook at 6'5" is taller. With Shook being projected as a possible high post player or wing, the Cards will need someone besides Myisha Hines-Allen to bang the boards. Sam Fuehring and Bionca Dunham round out the projected front line for the squad. 


EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENTS

UofL plans to construct an $8 million TV projection studio as part of the ACC Network. The new facility will be home to video control rooms, studios and editing rooms. The facility will have the capabilities to host live shows at all venues for games and have access for live player and coaches interviews. 

New balconies and bleachers are scheduled for Cardinal Arena...where Volleyball will play their 2017 home games. The women's basketball team will move to the "Little Yum" and expansion and remodeling is scheduled for that facility. New turf is coming for the Louisville Lacrosse Stadium and the Trager indoor facility. 

A video wall and ribbon board has been approved for Papa John's Cardinal Stadium and a private donation has funded a $9.5 million dollar expansion and renovation at baseball's Jim Patterson Stadium.

Good things on the way. Tom keeps building. 



SOFTBALL STARTS THREE GAME SET WITH VA.

Louisville Softball starts their final home game series today against the Virginia Cavaliers. First pitch for today has been switched from 6 p.m. to 2 p.m...the stated reason was concerns with expected rain this evening. Louisville (26-17, 9-6) 

The Cavs (21-19, 8-13) come in fresh off a win at George Washington and a three game sweep over Notre Dame at South Bend. They are on a seven-game win streak...tops in the ACC right now. 

Louisville is a perfect 6-0 against UVA since joining the ACC. 

Jordan McNary has reached base for Louisville via a walk or hit in 26 or her last 28 games. She is a perfect 12-12 in stolen bases this season. 

Nicole Pufahl leads Louisville in hitting with a .372 average and has reached base safely in her last 17 games. Last year, in Charlottesville, the Cards swept the Wahoos 2-0, 7-2 and 2-1. 
PAPA JOHN LEAVES BOARD

"Papa John" Schnatter has resigned from the University of Louisville's athletic association board . The announcement was made at yesterday's board meeting..where athletic direction Tom Jurich and athletic financial director Kevin Miller outlined what was going on with the athletic department and fielded questions...also with President Greg Postal. 

One thing that wasn't revealed was why Papa decided to withdraw from the board. The resignation comes a couple of weeks after he accused the athletic department of being "invisible" and needed to solve their crisis for the good of the University. 

Papa did not elaborate on what items the athletic department needed to work on or what they needed to do to become more visible. Making a sweeping statement like that and then not explaining it leads to a lot of speculation and media questioning. We won't get into the speculation here...only Papa can explain what he said and that may never happen...but the athletic department has been far from being "invisible" and Jurich showed once again yesterday that he is committed and continuing growth for the programs and facilities at Louisville. Jurich commented: 

"I wouldn't trade my staff for anyone in the world and I most certainly would not replace any of my head coaches for anyone in the world...they're the best in college athletics." 

His viewpoint seems pretty viable and visible to me. Always has. 


paulie
xxxxx 

Loretta Kakala Interview...All-SEC WBB Final -- Saturday Cardinal Couple..

FROM SMALL TOWN TO BIG CITY...RETTA FINDS HER SECOND HOME

One of the first things that you pick up on when you talk with Retta Kakala is that she puts a lot of thought into what she says. She'll laugh easily but answers from her are precise, concise and straight-forward. 

CARDINAL COUPLE had the chance yesterday to speak with her about her All-American game performance and her choosing Louisville....as well as several other subjects. In typical Paulie fashion, there is also a bit of schmaltz and humor included as well in the nine-minute interview. You'll find a link to hear the interview at the end of this segment...we'll hit a couple of the highlights here. 

Why Louisville?

'Louisville is home away from home. Being from California, Kentucky is a long way to go so I wanted to be somewhere that I was comfortable and I felt like I was around family."

The All-American Game

"Honestly, I think I just played my game. I just did what I needed to get done...like rebounding, scoring when we needed points and just being a supportive player off the court, too. Keeping everyone fired up." 

What areas of your game are your going to work hardest on?

"Definitely getting into college-level shape and my ball-handling and shooting.

If you could be an animal, what animal would you be?

"A lion. Because I'm super-aggressive. And because they're really pretty!" 

You wear #32. Is their a significance to that number? 

"I love Blake Griffin. I've also worn it since I began playing basketball. 

A great interview with one of the future 2017-18 WBB Cards! We'll try to catch up with Dana Evans and Lindsey Duvall in future interviews as well. 

LINK TO ENTIRE INTERVIEW AUDIO: 

KAKALA ON CARDINAL COUPLE 3/30/17



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UCONN STREAK ENDS AT 111.

No, this isn't an April Fool's joke. 

No five-peat, The 111 game win streak ended. 

Mississippi State delivered the first blows in an exciting semi-final game last night, weathered the UConn comeback and forced overtime...winning on a Morgan William drive and floater over UConn's Gabby Williams as time expired to seal a major-upset win over the Huskies 66-64. 

After Saniya Chong turned the ball over with 12.3 second left in the extra session, Mississippi State regained possession and called a timeout. Head Coach Vic Schaefer told William: 

"Mo...you're about to win the game." 

And he was right. At the end of regulation, Morgan had tried a similar move. Gabby swatted that effort away. This time, the ball cleared Gabby's up-raised hand and found net success. 

Schaefer was jubilant after the win:

"What an unbelievable, gusty performance that no one in the country probably thought could happen. We beat the greatest team, with the greatest win streal in the history of sports." 

Losing coach Geno Auriemma's thoughts on the defeat: 

"They beat us. They took us away from the things we like to do. We didn't have the kind of maturity that you need to win at this level at this time of year." 

Credit the MSU defense as well. Schaefer, who engineered the defense that took Texas A&M to a title in 2011 when he was an assistant there, laid out a defensive strategy that forced 17 turnovers, held UConn to almost twenty points below their season average and turned a usually dependable and patient squad into one that lost its composure and became frustrated.  

An SEC final. If someone had told you that at the start of the season, you probably would have passed it off as a delusional, fanatical Kentucky Wildcats fan trying to raise the ire of a rival fan base. 

It has come to pass. Mr. Samuelson goes 0-2 on Friday night. 

Nothing stings like getting this far and then having to go home. A bitter taste that even Geno's Spaghetti Sauce won't be able to vanquish. See ya, Huskies.


SOUTH CAROLINA TAKES THE TREES DOWN

South Carolina advances. After a forgettable first half, the Gamecocks erase a nine-point deficit and down Stanford 62-53. How big was the hobbling of Stanford's Karlie Samuelson and the ankle sprain with about five minutes until halftime? 

How huge were the efforts from USC'S Allisha Gray (18 points) and the double-double from Aja Wilson (13 points and 19 rebounds?) 

When the 'Cocks lost Alaina Coates in mid-march...shortly before tournament time...most figured that the Dawn Staley squad would make a brief apperance in the tournament and then head home. Some wondered if they'd reach Stockton for the regional. 

Survive and advance. It's the catch phrase this time of year. 

For what it's worth...South Carolina won both contests against the Bulldogs this year. A 64-61 win in mid-January and 59-49 victory in the SEC Tournament finals. 

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THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR

Case and I will be joined by Jared Anderson in the studio today and call Jeff McAdams who will be covering volleyball. 

Should be a good show. We'll play the Retta Kakala interview and get the guys opinion on men's and women's hoops, softball, lacrosse and more.

Always live, always unpredictable and always worth the hour you spend listening. 

11 a.m.  WCHQ 100.9  Listen at www.crescenthillradio.com

March Madness is now April Awareness
paulie
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Final Four, Softball and Comeford...FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

IS IT ANOTHER UCONN CORONATION THIS WEEKEND? 

Best mascot duo in the NCAA

We've come to the epoch and pinnacle of the women's college basketball season -- The Final Four. Four teams have survived the challenges, done the deeds and are currently on four-game win streaks in the tournament. The quest, of course, is to win your final six games of the year. Let's look at the participants. 

UCONN.  Is this another UConn coronation and Geno Invitational? The Huskies have certainly done nothing wrong in getting to Dallas. They did, if you recall, beat Mississippi State by 60 last year in the regional final. This is, though, an almost completely different UConn team than the Stewie, Moriah and Morgan bunch that delivered that beat-down. Katie Lou Samuelson, Gabby Williams, Napheesa Collier and Kia Nurse are the lead dogs in Geno's Husky sled and, although I don't forsee another 60 point romp across the tundra over the Bulldogs...it's not hard to see UConn winning a highly competitive game in this dog versus dog matchup and earning a Sunday berth in the final.  

MISS ST.  We all know how good Victoria Vivians is. The height factor definitely in the Bulldog camp with 6'7" Teaira McCowan and 6'5" Chinwe Okorie. Morgan William wowed college basketball with her 41-point spree against Baylor and won a lot of hearts with her emotional post-game interview. The key for them is getting the ball to the explosive guards and the bigs being on hand for any mop-up or putback work needed. You win the game by scoring the most points, right? The Bulldogs would like to see a high scoring affair here and this probably isn't going to be an intense defensive battle. 

THE PICK: Let's go with......drum roll, please.....UConn in a close win, maybe less than five points. 

STANFORD.  The West Coast representative gets it done by playing team basketball. Gone are the days of Candice Wiggins, Jane Appel and the Ogwumike sisters. This team had had six different leading scorers throughout the season. Yes, there is a Samuelson here also. Katie's older sister Karlie. Erica McCall and Brittany McPhee are the leading scorers and will do battle with the impressive South Carolina paint dwellers. Here's the thing about The Cardinal. Don't cont them out if they fall behind. They came back from a 16 point deficit in the second half to win against Notre Dame and they have trailed  by at least seven in five out of their last six games. 

"We're playing in THAT region? Again?"

SOUTH CAROLINA.  When Alana Coates went down with her season-ending injury...a lot of people put the Gamecocks chances of a Final Four bid on the bench as well. Someone, however, forgot to tell A'ja Wilson and Kaela Davis that they were supposed to stop winning. Some will argue the USC had the easiest path to the Final Four...with games against UNC Asheville, Arizona St., Quinnapiac and Florida St. Maybe so, but they won the games, they survived and advanced and they had to do the last two 2637 miles away from their campus.

I will tell you that this game just may come down to how well guards Allisha Gray and freshman Tyasha Harris play. This is a great contest that puts two very successful and demanding coaches in Dawn Staley and Tara VanDerveer up against each other.


THE PICK: South Carolina grabs an early lead and then fights to hold onto it late. Kaela Davis is on a mission and she guides to 'Cocks past the Trees. South Carolina by three. 

Speaking of coaches and women, check out this interesting read about women and coaching :  Numbers in women's coaching plummeting



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SOFTBALL STARTS THREE GAME SERIES WITH NOTRE DAME SATURDAY. 

We're previewing this series a bit early because tomorrow we hope to present you with an exclusive interview with future Card LORETTA KAKALA. 

The Cards and Irish square off for a three-game series at Ulmer Stadium that will feature coverage on the ACC Network Extra and ESPN on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Notre Dame (17-13) is in the midst of a five game win streak that saw them triumphant over Michigan State, Eastern Michigan and sweeping Virginia Tech in a three-game series. The Irish ae 4-5 in ACC play. 

Louisville (20-8) enters after defeating Indiana 2-1 Wednesday night. The Cards have a 4-0 record in the ACC...second best to Florida State's 12-0 conference mark. The Seminoles are having a super season at 32-1-1. 

The rain today should be long gone by Saturday and the forecast shows temperatures in the high sixties-low seventies for Saturday and Sunday...with a slight chance of rain Monday. 


Louisville will look to the hot bats of Jamie Soles (.370), Nicole Pufahl (.358) and Maryssa Becker (.321) to get them past an Irish pitching staff that features Rachel Nasland (9-5) and has a combined ERA of 3.58. In the circle, the Cards will hope Becker (15-5) can continue her strong performance against the Hoosiers against these other Indiana natives. 




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COMERFORD GETS ACC AWARD

Sophomore Mallory Comeford has made a big splash (sorry about the pun) in her two years as a Cardinal swimmer. She's an NCAA Champion and is now also the ACC swimmer of the Year. 

She was Freshman of the Year last year. We see a trend here. 

The sophomore made history at the NCAA Championships when she tied for first in the 200 freestyle. She had six other podium finishes, earning her All-America honors at the meet, and recorded two new conference records. At ACC Championships, Comerford had two first, two second and a third place finish


paulie
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