Cards Host Miami -- Other WBB News -- Tennis -- Lax Schedule -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 Louisville WBB Hosts Miami

In their third game as the #1 team in the country, Louisville women's basketball prepares to host Miami on Tuesday afternoon. The Cards are fresh off a last second victory over Wake Forest and have entered their second straight week in the top spot of NCAA DI WBB rankings

UofL is 14-0 on the year, matching the 14-0 start in 2018-2019. They started 15-0 in 2006-2007. The best start in program history was 20-0 in 2017-2018.

Miami enters the game at 7-5 on the year with a 4-5 conference mark. The Hurricanes are wrapping up a five-game road trip today at the KFC Yum! Center. At 67.1 points per game, Miami ranks last in the ACC in scoring. Their 66.6 points allowed per game doesn't rank much better. Although, having attempted 291 threes on the year, Miami is only shooting 28.9%.

One promising sign for Miami this year is their turnover margin: +2. That is good enough to rank third in the conference behind Boston College and Louisville. While averaging 14.9 turnovers per game themselves, the Hurricanes are forcing nearly 17.

There's a new "Marshall" in town this afternoon

Senior Kelsey Marshall leads the team in scoring at 14.9 points per game. She has also made 33% of the team's made three-point shots with 17. Three other players average between 8.70 and 9.80 points per game.

Rebounding has been by committee for Miami, who has eight players hauling in 3.13 and 5.90 boards per game.

At 65%, Miami has not been a great free throw shooting team. Or at least by the F-R-E-D Report standards, we would not be satisfied with 65% shooting.

Katie Meier is the head coach of Miami WBB 

The Cards are 5-2 all-time against Miami. The Hurricanes came to the KFC Yum! Center back on Feb. 17, 2019 and pulled off the 79-83 upset. Since then, Louisville crushed the Canes 87-41 back on Jan. 9, 2020 down in Coral Gables.

This game is a bit earlier than normal at 4:00 p.m. You can catch it on ACC Network as well as online. You also have the option to 790-AM WKRD to hear Nick Curran and AJ.

Other WBB News

-- Dana Evans was named ACC Player of the Week. Is there any real debate? Evans has straight ice in her veins and should be everyone's top contender for Player of the Year. The senior averaged 23.0 points per game in the wins against Syracuse and Wake Forest while playing every minute of both games. She also averaged 5.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals over that stretch.

-- Louisville remained #1 in the latest AP Poll with 739 points. NC State is close behind at 710 points for the #2 spot. Pending no upsets for either team in the next few days we will have one Hell of a game next Monday.

-- UConn and South Carolina remained at #3 and #4, respectfully. After a match-up that the Bruins came out on top, UCLA and Stanford switched spots with UCLA taking #5. Syracuse dropped out of the rankings and into the receiving votes category. They are joined by Georgia Tech.

Women's Tennis Opens Season With Sweep

Louisville women's tennis head coach
is Mark Beckham 

It was a solid way to start the season as women's tennis as they swept Ball State 7-0 The Cards three doubles groups all won with scores of 6-2, 6-3, and 6-4.

Nikolina Jovic starts season as #1 seed

Nikolina Jovic played in the #1 role, winning 6-3, 7-5. Andrea Di Palma was in the #2 spot and won 6-3, 6-3. Raven Neely was in the #3 hole and defeated her opponent 7-6, 6-0. Chelsea Sawyer was #4 on the chart and claimed a victory 6-2, 6-3. Rhea Verma lined up #5 and won 6-4, 6-3. Dina Chaika was in the final spot and won 6-3, 6-2.

The Cards start the year 1-0 and return home on Saturday against Miami (OH).

Lacrosse Schedule Released

Another spring schedule was announced yesterday as we saw the lacrosse schedule released. The LAX Cards have 15 games on the schedule, eight at home and seven on the road.

Louisville starts the season with four straight home games, hosting Florida (Feb. 13), Colorado (Feb. 18), Notre Dame (Feb. 28), and Cincinnati (March 3).

They then hit the road for a three game stretch. The Cards will visit Virginia (March 6), Central Michigan (March 12), and Marquette (March 14) before returning home briefly to host North Carolina (March 20).

Scott Teeter is the Louisville LAX head coach

Some later ACC games will feature double headers over the weekend. Louisville travels to Boston College for a two-game series (March 26 and 28) before a visit to Virginia Tech (April 3). Louisville's home season ends with three straight home games. They host Duke (April 10) and close with Syracuse for a double header (April 16 and 18).

The Cards conclude the regular and conference season on the road at Notre Dame (April 24)/. After that, the ACC Tournament, although we haven't got a firm "Yes, that will happen" yet. 

This is a top-flight, challenging schedule for Scott Teeter's squad. The LAX Cards will play 11 of the 15 contests against squads that were ranked in the top 25 last season. They face #1 UNC, #2 Norte Dame twice, #4 Syracuse twice, #8 Florida, #15 Virginia, #18 Duke, #19 Boston College twice and #24 Virginia Tech. In the power-packed ACC, the Cards are the lone squad that wasn't ranked in the top 25 last season. The Cards do return their top two scorers of the shortened 2020 fall season in Hannah Morris and Ally Hall. 

We'll still be without any nighttime games at the Louisville Lacrosse Stadium, but the Cards do have an evening game at Syracuse. The home schedule features a game on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday plus three games on Saturday and two on Sunday.

In-person media coverage of lacrosse this year is still uncertain, although we will provide plenty of lacrosse news and coverage both near and afar here at Cardinal Couple.

Happy Tuesday and Go Cards!

Jared

Louisville women's basketball -- Cards fall to UConn 80-73 -- Softball, Lacrosse and Tennis results -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

LATE SURGE FALLS SHORT IN LOSS TO HUSKIES

It is always hard to write about the last Louisville women's basketball game of the season and it hasn't gotten any easier over the years. It means the Cards have lost. Lost the game, lost the chance to gain a national championship.  The season is over and that a group of seniors have played their last in the Louisville uniforms. 

For the Cards, it was an afternoon where they seldom enjoyed a lead, made a huge run at the end to climb with two with 26 seconds to go but ultimately saw the Huskies go 5-6 from the free throw line to close out the scoring and end the 2018-19 season end for UofL at 32-4. The fourth-most wins in the history of the program but two games short of where they wanted to be.

Losing does suck...to use a term Coach Walz and many others have. Losing to UConn makes it even more "sucky" and, once again, thanks to the NCAA for making it quite easy, convenient and possible for the Huskies to have the advantage in location ,crowd attendance and game-time scheduling.  


This one was a game of runs. The Huskies started out on a 7-0  one to begin the game. Louisville came back with a 9-0 run to take a 16-12 edge and UConn put together a 10-0 run to grab a 22-16 advantage.  All in the first quarter. Connecticut would go on a 11-3 second quarter run in the first five minutes of the second quarter to take a 33-23 lead -- buoyed by the 4-4 three-point shooting of Megan Walker -- then, it was Louisville's turn and a 6-0 run had UofL back within four at 33-29. Arica Carter busted a 8-2 half-ending Connecticut run with a three as the clock ticked down to 17 seconds to make it 41-34 -- your halftime score.

This was a position the Cards were unaccustomed to.  Trailing at the half. The normal early blowout of a foe didn't happen. Asia Durr was struggling to find her shot. The Cards were just 3 for 11 from three-point range and UConn was 9 for 16 from the deep. 

Score. Stop. Score.  The simple but relevant halftime directive from Walz was Louisville's objective in the second half. It kept the Cards hanging around in the third frame and got them within four at 57-53 with a 4-0 run in the final 45 seconds after a Durr steal and layup and Dana Evans steal and layup.

Louisville had momentum. UConn's Katie Lou Samuelson was on the bench with four fouls and one had to love Louisville's chances in the final 10 minutes. Cardnation had hope rekindled and it was shaping up to be one heck of a final quarter.

Back and forth that fourth quarter went. 

64-57 Huskies at the 6:21 mark. Louisville comes back to make it 64-61 after a couple of Durr baskets. Samuelson re-enters and nailed two threes to push UConn to a 74-63 lead and 1:47 on the clock, in the game. These were two heavyweight fighters, standing toe-to-toe in the center of the ring, slugging it out -- giving each other their best shots.

Just when it looked like UConn had Louisville down for the ten count...the Cards fire back with a 10-1 run over the next 1:24 and it's 75-73 UConn after a Carter layup. 26 seconds on the clock. A memorable, incredible rally. A chance, where there wasn't much hope of one a few minutes earlier.  

I'd like to tell you that UofL kept that momentum flowing and regained the lead and took the win. but it would be a cruel April Fool's prank on you if I did, though. 

The Huskies hit the forced free throws and advance to Tampa. 80-73. All five Husky starters in double figures and those starters accounting for all of UConn's 80 points. Katie Lou leading all with 29 points. 

Durr recovering nicely in the final twenty to end with 21 points and nine rebounds. Sam Fuehring having another strong NCAA performance with 15 points and seven grabs. Jazmine Jones providing countless sparks and tallying 10 points and six assists. 

I have to wonder a bit about Kylee Shook seeing no second half court time, but, I've never professed to have any coaching skills and the UConn post weren't stay-at-home-in-the-post types...like the Cards previous two opponents. Could she have helped the Cards 0-4 three-point shooting in the fourth quarter? 

This Louisville squad, these Louisville seniors will live in my -- and I'm sure your -- memory for a very long time. Here's hoping Asia, Arica and Sam go one to compete in the WNBA. To go on and have happy and productive lives and come back to visit the campus often. They leave behind a squad that has promise and a lot of potential excitement for the 2019-2020 season. You can't keep them forever and what these seniors and this unit accomplished here in their time was incredible, record-setting and so much fun to watch and cover. 

Three incredible players, from three different places in the nation and portraying three different personalities came here to help form and lead a nucleus that won't be forgotten anytime soon.  Going into less-than-favorable conditions as a #1 seed in basically the #2 seed's home turf, they fought with their teammates until the clock stopped them from playing. These seniors pass on that competitive spirit, that drive and desire to the underclassmen -- who exhibited a lot of the same this year. 

We can only thank them for what they did, what they brought and how they thrilled us -- as we say....not good-bye... but "we'll see you further on down the road". 

The greatest test of courage is to bear defeat without losing heart. My heart remains with Louisville women's basketball. How about yours? 


THE FRED REPORT

Fred Willard says, "Turn the TV off, I don't want to see
anymore of this." 

FREE THROWS -- They weren't a strong point for the Cards Sunday. 11-17 equals 64.7% and the vast majority (10) were up to Asia. UConn got 20 attempts and made 16. You know the rules, you shoot less than 70%, we can't award a letter.

REBOUNDING -- 42-36 in favor of the Huskies, but UofL did win the offensive boards 12-11. Asia and Sam corralling almost half the Cards grabs. Another case where if you don't win the battle, you don't get a letter 

EFFORT/EXECUTION -- Louisville never quit fighting, despite the rough edges and periods of less-than-perfect execution stages. They had only five turnovers. After the slow shooting start in the first, they shot 23-49 (47%) in the final thirty minutes. we normally see numbers like these equated with a "W" for the Cards. It wasn't a "W", though...so we'll award just a small "e". 

DEFENSE.  The Cards allowed the second-highest point total of the season -- Notre Dame had 82 in their win over UofL -- but Louisville did force 13 turnovers and had nine steals. The killer was the Huskies 14-26 (53.8%) three-point proficiency. I will give the Cards credit for tightening the game up late but can't award a letter after a loss. 

FINAL FRED TALLY OF THE YEAR:   _-_-e-_

So, we shed a few tears and move along. A season to remember. So many fond memories of the 36 games. Three wonderful seniors and the promise of a very talented and deep squad for next year.

Despite the controversies, playing conditions and less-than-satisfying final game...I still enjoyed this season immensely and we'll continue to bring you tons of news and reporting on Louisville WBB here at Cardinal Couple in the off-season.

The future of Cardinal women's basketball still burns brightly, under the direction of one of the best coaches in the nation and I encourage you to be an even bigger part of it next year.  


LACROSSE DROPS A CLOSE ONE TO DELAWARE


At the Louisville Lacrosse Stadium Sunday afternoon, the Cards and Delaware Blue Hens were involved in a close match that was tied late but ultimately ended up in the visitors' favor 9-8. 

A game of runs, as well, in this one...the Cards going up 2-0 early but Delaware going on a 4-0 run to end the first half.

Louisville trailed 5-3 at the half in chilly but clear conditions on Floyd Street and found themselves down 6-3 at the start of the second half, but, thanks in part to some excellent goalkeeping work from Rachel Florek, the Lax girls battled back and forced a 9-8 affair....Caroline Blalock getting the goal with about a minute left in the contest. The Cards could get the equalizer, though, as time expired. 

Florek had 13 saves in the contest and Louisville head Lacrosse coach Scott Teeter commented after the match: 

"If it wasn't for Florek's work in the cage, it definitely could have been worse." 

Ally Hall with the hat-trick in scoring for Teeter's team and Tessa Chad and Blalock added two goals each, as the Cards go to 4-9 on the season. 

Louisville Lax brings UNC into "the Ellis" Saturday , April 5th. for a Senior Day ACC match that'll start at 1 p.m. The Tar Heels are 9-3 after yesterday's 9-7 loss at Notre Dame and are ranked #4 in the nation as of Friday.

We encourage you to come out and cheer on these hard-working LAX women. 


SOFTBALL OUT-SLUGGED IN BLACKSBURG


In the final contest of the three-game series against Virginia Tech yesterday, the UofL Softball squad managed five runs on five hits but it wasn't enough of an offensive output to match the 13 "home plate touches" the Hokies ended up with. 

Falling behind 11-0 after three innings, the Cards did tally four runs in the fourth inning. Doubles by Madison Cousineau and Charley Butler got four Cardinals home, but Louisville couldn't produce enough fire-power to make up the deficit and the Hokies two-run, bottom of the sixth effort ended the contest. 

UofL takes one of the three in Blacksburg and the 22-12, 4-5 Cards come home to face Lipscomb Tuesday, April 2nd, with a 5 p.m. opening pitch planned. Plenty of great softball to be played in Ulmer this year, make sure and be a part of it! 


LOUISVILLE TENNIS  FALLS TO B.C. ON SENIOR DAY

In their final home match of the season and on Senior Day, the Louisville women's tennis team got wins from Raven Neely and Ola Mally, but the Eagles captured the day with a 5-2 overall performance. 

The Cards, won one of the three doubles matches...losing the doubles point there... and four of the six singles matches. 

Louisville women's tennis ends the regular season on the road with four matches in the next 12 days...at Virginia Tech, Virginia, Miami and Florida State. 

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(THANKS TO JARED ANDERSON FOR THE LACROSSE AND TENNIS PHOTOS USED TODAY)


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Happy April Fools Day and, if you want to prank someone, buy them a package of Oreos but replace the filling with toothpaste...an oldie but goodie pulled on Paulie many moons ago. 


paulie
xxxxx  

Tuesday Cardinal Couple

 

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 

-Team Defend will represent USA in FIBA U18 3x3

 

 

Kortney Dunbar

Kortney Dunbar's (Edwardsville, IL) team came in 3rd. On her team was Dejanae Boykin ...who we featured at Cardinal Couple a few days ago

 

Also, on this team is Gabby Green ( who has Louisville in her top 8) and Katie Lou Samuelson , the 3rd and final Samuelson ( her 2 sisters play for Stanford) although she has expressed interest in Louisville.

 

There's no question that 3x3 basketball is different.

First, obviously, there are only three players on the court, and second, that trio is playing halfcourt basketball. But on top of that, the USA representatives aren't selected from a large group -- instead, teams of four play a tournament, and the winning team represents the United States.

The four players, 18 and under, who will be at the FIBA U18 3x3 World Championship Sept. 26-29 in Jakarta, Indonesia are Notre Dame commit Brianna Turner (Houston, Texas/Manvel High School), Gabby Green (Oakland, Calif./St. Mary's High School), Katie Lou Samuelson (Huntington Beach, Calif./Mater Dei High School) and Arike Ogunbowale (Milwaukee/Divine Savior Holy Angels). They called themselves Team Defend and won all seven games they played, including a 21-10 win over the young St. Louis quartet of Alecia Sutton, Cierra Porter, Sophie Cunningham and Napheese Collier in the finals.

Team Defend will return to Colorado Springs Sept. 21-24 to get ready to defend the 3x3 World Championship.

To earn that honor, Team Defend went a perfect 7-0 in tournament play at the USA Basketball women's U18 3x3 National Championship in Colorado Springs, Colo., defeating Team Primus 21-10 in the championship game.

“It feels really good to win this, because last year we didn’t have to play anyone to get to the 3x3 U18 Worlds,” said three-time USA Basketball gold medalist Turner, who is ranked No. 1 in the 2014 Full Court Fresh 50. “But this year we actually went through the whole tournament process, you get to get a look at teams and play against teams. The team we beat in the championship game, we lost to them before (in a 3x3 pre-tournament), so there was even more pressure for us to beat them."
Team Primus was the youngest team in the tournament, with three 16 year olds and 14-year-old Sutton. The young squad went undefeated in tournament play until they met Team Defend in the championship game.

In addition, Suttion won the ball handling skills challenge, while recent Georgia Tech commit Zaire

Gabby Green

O'Neil (Selden, N.Y.) and Arella Guiranthes (Westbury, N.Y.) also claimed individual titles.
Ogunbowale, who in June helped the USA capture their third consecutive gold medal at the FIBA Americas U16 Championship, was the tournament MVP. All four members of Team Defend, in fact, have won gold medals with USA Basketball, and all will be juniors or seniors in high school this year.

The third annual FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championship, which was billed as the 2011 FIBA 3x3 Youth World Championship in its inaugural year, is expected to feature 24 women’s teams and 32 men’s teams and the top teams will qualify for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.


In addition to the men’s and women’s tournament, the 3x3 U18 World Championship program for the weekend will also include skills contests and a mixed-team tournament with two males and two females competing on one team for their country.

(Thanks to fullcourt.com for the article idea...)

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Julia Fellerhoff

Going into the third day of the 2013 ITA National Collegiate Summer Championships, being hosted by Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., U of L singles players Julia Fellerhoff and Rebecca Shine have both advanced to the quarterfinals.


Fellerhoff, a seeded player in the draw, beat Kaysie Hermsdorn of Abilene Christian 6-3, 6-0 before taking down Oklahoma State's Karyn Guttermsen 7-6, 7-5. Fellerhoff then beat ACC power Miami's Clementia Riobuena 7-6, 7-5 to earn a shot at Florida's Alex Cercone.


Fellow senior Rebecca Shine, who was also seeded, beat Pitt's Taylor Washington 6-1, 6-4 before felling Iowa's Katie Zordani 4-6, 6-2, 1-0. Her win over Miami's Kelsey Laurente with another tiebreaker (7-5, 2-6, 1-0) sets her up to meet Alex Chatt, a nationally ranked high school player.The two paired up as doubles partners and beat Pascarella and Youel of Northern Iowa 8-1. Next to fall was Indiana's Rubenstein and Fujimoto 8-1. This makes for a matchup with top-seeded Auburn's pair of Kaster and Pfeifler.

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Sunday Cardinal Couple --Softball takes doubleheader at Villanova

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Softball Cards take two one-run victories

-Tennis eliminated from BIG EAST Tournament 4-2

-Lacrosse today vs. Cincinnati


After producing 23 runs a week ago in a double header, the University of Louisville softball team could just manage six yesterday against the Villanova Wildcats. They were enough, however, to allow Louisville to take both games and improved their record to 41-6 and 14-1 in the BIG EAST.

All that bragging we did on their offensive prowess on Saturday's Cardinal Couple Radio Show must have gotten to their heads. Either that, or the Villanova team tuned in and vowed to make liars out of us...

Louisville 1 - Villanova 0

It was Whitney Arion who provided the only first game fireworks...a second inning fence clearer that put Louisville up 1-0. The Cards had a chance in the fourth to add to the lead...with two outs Arion wrangled a walk, Hannah Kiyohara got plunked by a pitch and Jasmine Smithson took a base on balls to load the bags for Katelyn Mann. Her blooper poke to shallow left was corralled by VU shortshop Ali Lowe to end the threat.

Rachel LeCoq with another fine pitching performance...allowing just four hits and striking out seven WIldcats to go to 16-4

Louisville 5 - Villanova 4

The Cards jumped out to a 1-0 lead for Caralisa Connell in the first inning of the second game. Alicja Wolny drilled a double and got to home when Maggie Ruckenbrod singled.

'Nova tied it in the bottom of the third and took a 4-1 lead on a bases-loaded, three RBI triple from Beth Smetana.

It stayed a three-run VU advantage until the top of the sixth. Kiyohara singled for UofL and Chrisanna Roberts came in to run. Jordan Trimble drew a walk and both Cardinals scored on Mann's single. With the score 4-3, Whitney Arion singled and Katie Keller received a base on balls to load the bags full of Cardinals. Alicja Wolny slapped a grounder to the Villanova second baseman...who mishandled the ball and Wolny beat the throw to first. Mann and Arion scored on the play to make it 5-4 UofL.

Rachel LeCoq got her second win of the day in relief of Connell...going 2.1 innings and retiring the final five Wildcats she faced in a row.

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Louisville women's tennis got eliminated by #2 seed USF in the semifinals of the BIG EAST Tournament yesterday in Tampa, FL. The Cards fell 4-2 to the #2 seeded Bulls.

Once again, the scoring selectivity has me baffled. Eight matches were played, one was stopped before it was finished and one doubles team and two singles participants won matches...but the Cards received only 2 points.

Manuela Velasquez and Mandy Brown succeeded in doubles and Velasquez and Rebecca Shine won their singles matches.

The Cards now await the NCAA Regionals. 64 teams will begin play on May 10th. at various regional sites yet to be determined.

The NCAA Championships will be held at the University of Illinois this year from May 16th - May 27th. Florida will look to add their third straight NCAA title in the events.


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Louisville Lacrosse takes the field for a home contest against the Cincinnati Bearcats today at 1 p.m. The Cards look for their first BIG EAST win of the season against our northern neighbors.

Louisville (8-6, 0-5) is led in scoring by Nikki Boltja, who should get plenty of chances to find the net against UC (5-6, 0-5). 

Paulie

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Friday Cardinal Couple -- Women's Tennis advnaces in BIG EAST Tournament

FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Women's Tennis defeats Seton Hall in first-round BIG EAST Tennis Championships

-Track and Field today at Cardinal Park

-Rowing to compete in Clemson Invitational

-David Watson on Cardinal WBB

The University of Louisville women's tennis team advanced out of first round play against Seton Hall with a 4-0 win. They actually played (and won) nine matches (three doubles and six singles). I have yet to figure out tennis scoring.

The Cards are a #3 seed and will move on to play #6 seed Rutgers today beginning at noon. The Louisville players won all nine matches they participated in against Seton Hall. Top doubles team Julia Fellerhoff and Rebecca Shine and #2 team Becky Bodine and Stefanie Villajean won in games that actually counted. In singles, Shine and Fellerhoff took victories as well.

With fifteen teams competing, the overall #1 seed Notre Dame got a bye in first round action. The games are being played in Tampa, Fl. on the USF campus.

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Louisville Track and Field hosts the Lenny Lyles/Clark Wood Invitational starting today at Cardinal Park. Other teams participating are Southeast Missouri, Central Michigan and East Tennessee State.

Throwing begins at 10:30 a.m. and Amashi Kendall, who is #17 nationally in the shot put and #20 in the discus heads a strong field of tossers.

Michelle Kinsella will try to better her season best mark of 6'075" in the high jump...fifth best in the nation this year.

Margret Harris broke a Cardinal 400m record in the Border Battle and will try to best her 53.93 mark.

And, there will be a Kiyohara running in the 3000m. Not UofL softball's Hannah, but her younger sister Leah. Leah has had a great season and joins distance runners Kelsey Cramsey and Benadate Cheruiyot as Cardinals who should do well today.



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Louisville Rowing is headed to take part in the Clemson Regatta beginning Saturday. A number of nationally ranked teams will vie for top honors in the event, including the #17 ranked Cardinal squad.

Louisville was scheduled to compete in a four-way event against Iowa, #14 Wisconsin and #20 Minnesota in the Iowa Regatta last Saturday, but high winds on Lake McBride forced cancellation of the event.

-Paulie

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(David Watson sends us this observation on UofL women's basketball)

It is widely reported that Louisville head WBB Coach Jeff Walz and Connecticut skipper Geno Auriemma are good friends.

I'm glad for that. Can you imagine how badly the Huskies might have defeated the Cards in the NCAA Championship if they were enemies?

Aureimma has also indicated that Walz would have no shot at being a lead waiter in his restaurant. Something to do with clothing attire. Geno feels Walz would be better suited as a busboy and back door trash taker-out guy.

Geno's gals certainly trashed the Lady Cards in the title game.

Speaking of trashing, how about the latest antics of Duke head WBB coach Joanne P. McCauley? A freshman on her team -- Sierra Moore -- is unhappy there and wants to leave. She'd been recruited by former Duke and current Louisville assistant Samantha Williams. Sierra wouldn't have minded coming to the Cards. Coach McCauley blocked that possible transfer. Then, Coach McCauley gets on Twitter and allegedly trashes Coach Williams for trying to manipulate Sierra improperly during the season.

Some soap opera, right?

McCauley is a different bird. Ever seen her discuss a Duke loss? She takes no responsibility for it. It's always "this or that" player's fault. A real stand-up and shoulder responsibility type -- that Joanne is.

I look forward to the Cards going to the ACC. Especially the first time Duke and Louisville meet in women's basketball. Who throws the first punch. Williams or McCauley?

Finally, I'm going to miss Mo and Shelby. What two great spokeswomen and examples they were for college basketball.

Little Shelby, pressed into a starting role during that tragic 2009-10 season and then accepting a lesser, backup role her final three seasons. A player with less integrity and team commitment probably would have bolted elsewhere for more playing time. Always giving her best -- did Ms. Harper.
And, such a fan favorite!

Mo. The closest thing to a guaranteed two points you'll ever get every time she got the ball under the basket. A fantastic start to her career, amazing sophomore year and then injuries robbed her of what might have been. A tragic turn of events, indeed, but redemption -- of sorts -- when she hits the winning free throws against Baylor. A game that Louisville WBB fans will remember the rest of their lives.

Thank you, ladies, for being what you were at Louisville and I know we'll be hearing much more from you as you continue your journeys and chosen paths in life after basketball and college.

Winners.

-David Watson

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Volleyball takes huge win over Marquette

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MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Volleyball beats previously undefeated Marquette in four games.

-Shine, Fellerhoff advance to quarterfinals.

-Swimming finishes fifth in SMU Classic.

Lola's 24 kills lead Cards to road win

The University of Louisville Volleyball team knocked Marquette out of sole possession of first place in the BIG EAST with a convincing 20-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-19 win over the Golden Eagles in Milwaukee Sunday.

Leading the way for birthday girl Anne Kordes' squad was the irrepressible Lola Arslanbekova with 24 kills. Huge efforts from Emily Juhl (a season high 13 kills) and Caitlin Welch (22 digs) helped the Cards advance to 20-3 and a league leading 9-1 in the BIG EAST. Marquette falls to 18-4 and 8-1 in conference play.

The Cards fell behind early in the first game but battled back to gain a 14-13 advantage against MU. The Golden Eagles zipped off a 8-2 run after that before a rowdy crowd to go up 21-16. Despite scores from Juhl and Kaitlynn James, Marquette prevailed by five in the opener.

In the second game, Louisville broke open a close 11-8 contest with a 9-2 run to double up the Golden Eagles at 20-10. Louisville prevailed with the eight-point victory...Lola getting five kills, Juhl four and Tanya Lukyanenko adding three kills and three blocks.

After the break, the two teams battled closely before Marquette broke open a 13-13 tie with five unanswered points. That necessitated a Kordes timeout, and it worked for the Cards...finishing the match with an 11-1 run to win by four. Juhl's four kills led the Cards.

In the final game, Louisville held a 13-7 lead before Marquette countered with a 7-3 run to climb within two at 16-14. From there on, the teams exchanged mini-runs...Louisville getting a game ending 6-3 finish to take game and match.

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Fellerhoff, Shine reach ITA quarterfinals

Louisville's top two singles players, Rebecca Shine got to the quarterfinals and Julia Fellerhoff reached the semifinals of the ITA Ohio Valley Regional on the Purdue campus in West Lafayette, IN. before bowing out.

Shine fell to Brynn Boren of Tennessee 3-6,6-2,6-2 and Fellerhoff lost to #2 seeded Kata Szekely, also from UT, 5-7,7-5, 6-1.

"Julia and Becca had an incredible tournament. Neither one of them had advanced to the quarterfinals before, so it was a huge accomplishment for Louisville Tennis. They keep adding to their resumes as the two best players to play here at Louisville" - Mark Beckham, head women's Tennis coach.

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Louisville women's swimming finishes fifth at SMU

#24 Cards swimming and diving ends of fifth in the highly ranked SMU Classic Saturday night. The Cards finishing with a total of 236 points, which placed them behind USC, UNC, Florida and Texas. Some highlights for Arthur Albiero's squad:

-- Hannah Gadd, winner of 3-meter diving

-- A fifth place finish in the 200-medley relay, from Eszter Povazsay, Lucy Kramer, Tanja Kylliainen and Kelsi Worrell.

-- Kylliainen grabbing third place in the 200-fly.

-- Fifth place in the final event, the 200-free relay for Povazsay, Worrell, Erika Belcher and Hanna Cowley.
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So Much Laundry, So Little Time!

 

We were live and greeting people at the CENTRAL CARDINAL CLUB BOUTIQUE AND FASHION SHOW.

HI! Paulie here and we had a blast meeting and talking to all the womens' sports fans here at the show! Thanks to columnist Jeff McAdams and Donny Yaste for helping Sonja and I man (and woman) the booth. Also, thanks to everyone who stopped by and saw us!

THE WINNING TICKET NUMBER FOR THE 1980 UofL MEN'S TEAM PLAQUE WAS 702211 AND THE WINNER WAS AL PARRISH..

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Our staff columnist Sandy Walker is back with her weekly romp through all things Cardinal Women's sports related. Be sure to stop by the CARDINAL COUPLE table to meet her this evening at the Central Cardinal Club Holiday Bazaar and Fashion Show at the PNC Club inside Papa John's Cardinal Stadium! Hours are 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. While at the table, be sure to register to win UofL memoribilia and talk Cardinal womens' athletics with us! See you there!

Today is a mixed bag of bleached to delicate articles!

TENNIS

The Tennis team is participating in the ITA Ohio Valley Regional Championships October 15th. - 18th. with matches being played all day at West Lafayette, Indiana.

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Digging specialists!

VOLLEYBALL

The 18-3 VolleyCards with their # 15 NCAA ranking returns to action Friday afternoon at Syracuse and then on to Marquette on Sunday. Louisville is currently in second place in BIG EAST Volleyball and this weekend's action could propel them into the #1 spot if they can win two tough tests on the road. The Marquette game could be crucial, since the Golden Eagles currently sit atop the league with no conference losses. Louisville's only loss was to Notre Dame.



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SOCCER

The Soccer team brings its 9-4-3 record into a home match against Cinncinnati.   The game begins at 7:00 at Cardinal Park Friday night The weekend matches are also a chance to say thank you and goodbye to the hard working seniors on the Cardinal squad.

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SWIM AND DIVE

On Friday the swim team will be in action at the SMU Classic in Dallas, TX.

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FIELD HOCKEY

Saturday at 12:00 we have the opportunity to watch the field hockey team play Villanova at 12:00 with plenty of time to gather elsewhere before the 3:30 football game.  The game is played at our home field, Trager Stadium.  If that is too much activity for you in one day you have a 2^nd opportunity on Monday at 4:00.

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GOLF

Women’s Golf finished 11th at the Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invitational which is no small accomplishment.

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WOMENS' BASKETBALL EXHIBITION GAME

15 days remain before the Halloween night (October 31) date our U of L women will match up with the St. Petersburg, FL. Eckard College team for the first exhibition game of the season.    

This is a free game. You don't need a ticket and won't receive one in your season ticket packages, which should be arriving in a couple of days. Just show up, walk in the KFC YUM! Center and have a seat. It's a great chance to see your Lady Cards hoopsters "on the house". The conflict with Halloween is a bit unfortunate, but if you're looking for a way to get out of handing out Halloween candy, here's your  chance.                                           

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WOMENS' BASKETBALL TIP-OFF LUNCHEON

TIP OFF WOMENS' BASKETBALL LUNCHEON

Reminder: The basketball tip off luncheon is set for Tuesday October 23.  Be sure to call and make your reservations for the noon start time on center court of the KFC YUM! Center.   $30.00 tickets can be purchased by calling the U of L special events office at (502) 852-0706 or completing the form found at http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/lou/sports/w-baskbl/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/2012Luncheon.pdf.  Jeff Walz is the featured speaker. Bill the Goat declined an offer to sing the National Anthem but Timmy is calling in favors trying to find a replacement.

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SPORTS GENDER EQUITY STUDY

Student athletes and fans at the University of Louisville are fortunate to be in an era of growing women’s athletic support from both the school and their fans.  Unfortunately this is not apparently the nationwide trend.  Unless we know where we have been we cannot know where we are going and studies like this are still necessary. 

This month a special report was released by the Sport, Health and Activity Research and Policy Center for Women and Girls (SHARP).  The original research at can be found at http://irwg.research.umich.edu/pdf/OCR.pdf.  It studied the state of high school athletics and the inequalities in the US public school system. It reports on historical changes in the provision of athletic opportunity in U.S. high schools. It is intended to provide educators and policymakers current information. Unfortunately, even 40 years after the passing of Title IX the report indicated this as the decade of decline as the gender gap in opportunities between boys and girls persisted at 11-12%.  Supporters of girl’s and women’s athletics are the front line of defense in our local grade and high schools.  Awareness and prevention of the continued decline in the opportunities for girls must not be allowed.

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LITIGATION

Just when we had thought that things had calmed down Kelli Anderson of SI.com has posted in her Inside College Basketball an overview of the Tennessee Athletic Departments’ difficulties.  Included was information that others besides Debby Jennings have also filed litigation against the school.   The complete article can be read at:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/kelli_anderson/10/15/Tennessee-discrimination-lawsuits/index.html?xid=si_ncaab

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