FALL SPORTS MEDIA DAY -- USA U 19 VS EGYPT -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 Teleconference with women's fall sports

I had the chance to "catch up" with head coaches and key players yesterday during the UofL Fall Sports Media Day Teleconference.  Yes, teleconference. We're still not back to meeting with them "face to face", enjoying a university-purchased box lunch or gathering in a media room. 

Someday soon, oh lord. Someday soon, we hope.

Instead of going into a detailed analysis of each speaker, you're "big boys and girls" (except for Jared) and can assimilate and process the words by yourself. And, yes, that's me....asking the questions in a "tag team" format with one other UofL media impresario, 

Here we go: 

VOLLEYBALL -- DANI BUSBOOM KELLY

VOLLEYBALL -- TORI DILFER

FIELD HOCKEY -- JUSTINE SOWRY

FIELD HOCKEY -- ALLI BITTING

WSOC -- KAREN FERGUSON DAYES

WSOC -- GABBY KOUZELOS

CROSS COUNTRY -- DALE COWPER

CROSS COUNTRY -- RYAN JOHNSTON

CROSS COUNTRY -- PURITY SANGA

MEN'S SOCCER -- JOHN MICHAEL HAYDEN

MEN'S SOCCER -- BRADLEY SAMPLE

As a bonus, I tossed in the Louisville men's soccer and the Louisville men's cross country, even though those aren't areas we normally cover or dwell on. Chalk it up under the "if I had to participate, you have to listen" column -- although they are quite interesting. 

It all gets started Saturday night, with WSOC hosting Ball State for a exhibition. Case will break that one down, as well as offer his thoughts on 2021 Louisville WSOC in his column and on The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast.  

Just a note: we're doing a bit of situational shuffling of the writer lineup over the next coiple of days.  Case is in for Jared tomorrow, Jeff is in for Daryl Friday,  as we play the "Who's Playing First? That's Right..." game to baffle you, dear reader, even further.  I swear, I can't keep up with these crazy kids...

USA BEAT EGYPT

In what should come as no surprise to anyone, the USA U 19 FIBA Women's team (3-0) had no trouble whatsoever with Egypt. (0-3) yesterday in the squads final "in-pool" contest in Hungary. The final was 97-36 -- USA. It probably could have been twice that. 

Not to belabor nor rub it in too much, we'll just tell you that the USA was led by Azzi Fudd's 18 points, as head coach Cori Close played all 11 available (still no Jewel Spear). 

Payton Verhulst saw almost 18 minutes and produced six points (on 3/7 shooting), five boards, four assists and had two fouls. 

USA advances to the "Round of Sixteen" and takes on Chinese Taipei today. 

have a wonderful Wednesday! 

paulie  

Payton Verhulst Gets Tryout With U19 squad -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 CHANGE IN TODAY'S PITCHING ASSIGNMENT

No, it's not still Wednesday. 

I'm filling in today for columnist Jared Anderson, who is taking a few days away from Cardinal Couple activities to take pictures of college graduates. It seems our man Jared has quite the following in this area -- we certainly love and appreciate the photo work he does for us here at CARDINAL COUPLE -- so, they've dusted off the ol' righty Paulie and sent him in to step on the "bump" and throw a few toward the plate today.  Fact is, I was quite the softball pitcher back in the day (in my own mind) in the church leagues and Metro Parks slow-pitch. 

Right behind where the Louisville Soccer teams play these days off Lynn Street on campus, there was an old ball-field where I rattled a few fences as well with my long-ball hitting capabilities

Thanks for letting an old guy reminisce here. Let's get on to much more important and relevant stuff. 

PAYTON VERHULST

27 were called to participate in the 2021 USA Basketball Women's U19 World Cup Team Trials and Louisville women's basketball signee Payton Verhulst is in that mix. 

Going to USA World Cup camps is no mew thing for the Bishop Miege H.S. DeSoto, KS baller, she claimed the MVP honors after taking the 2019 USA U16 National Team to the gold and averaged 14.5 points and 2.8 rebounds in six games for USA. There was also a trip to participate in the 2019 USA Basketball 3x3 U18 National Championships for Verhulst and she took part in the trials for the 2018 USA U17 World Cup team. 

(No, this isn't the roster or selection committee) 

12 student-athletes will be selected for the team and practice begins May 14th and concluded May 16th. 16 teams from around the world will participate in the FIBA's...which will begin in August. 

You'll recognize some of the players names Payton will compete against.as she tries to make the roster. 

Others from the ACC, include Olivia Miles (Notre Dame) and Jewel Spear (Wake Forest) receiving invites. so did one of Wes Moore's future dribblers, transfer Diamond Johnson (NC State). Caitlin Clark (Iowa) had a fantastic freshman season for the Hawkeyes and will also attend the camp. Out of UConn, Azzi Fudd, Amari DeBerry and 2022 commit Ayanna Patterson received invites and Angel Reese (Maryland), part of the Brenda Frese powerhouse lineup will be at the tryouts, too. 

Older UofL Basketball fans will remember Samaki Walker, who parlayed his time as a CARD into time in the NBA. His daughter Sakima Walker  is a 6'4" post out of Columbus, OH, who is headed to play for C.Viv at Rutgers. I would imagine future Card Alexia Mobley had a battle or two with her. No, Alexia isn't one of the invitees, but. big things are on the way for her. 

This isn't a Jeff Walz coached squad (we know his love for USA hoops) but Cori Close (UCLA), who has served on USA teams with Walz will be the head skipper. She's got quality assistants in Aaron Johnston (South Dakota State) and Joni Taylor (Georgia). 

The USA Junior National Team Selection Committee has a few coaches names you'll recognize in Jen Rizzotti (chairman and president of the Connecticut Sun), Wes Moore (NC State) Kara Lawson (Duke) and Tonya Cardoza (Temple). 

All of us here at CARDINAL COUPLE would like to wish Payton the best of luck to as she goes against some very stellar and talented competition next week !  She's seen South America, now it's time to head to Hungary. 

Have a tremendous Thursday! 

paulie

2019 USA Basketball Women's U19 and Pan Am Teams Announced -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

2019 USA BASKETBALL U19 WORLD CUP SQUAD

Out of the 30 athletes that tried out for this squad in Colorado Springs over the past week or so, 12 have been selected for Head Coach Jeff Walz and his assistants Natasha Adair and Cori Close to coach.

Cardinal WBB fans will recognize a few of the names on the 12-player roster that will go to the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand July 20-28.

The roster is listed below, in alphabetical order, with asterisks by those who have made college choices or already played for their college team)   

* Francesca Belibi (Connecticut) 

* Aliyah Boston (South Carolina) 

* Cameron Brink (Stanford) 

* Paige Bueckers (Connecticut) 

Caitlan Clark (Dowling Catholic/ West Des Moines, IA) 

* Queen Egbo (Baylor)  

* Naz Hillmon-Baker (Michigan) 

* Rhyne Howard (Kentucky)

* Jordan Nixon (Notre Dame) 

* NaLyssa Smith (Baylor) 

Celeste Taylor (Long Island Lutheran_ /Valley Stream, NY)

Hailey Van Lith (Cashmere H.S./Wenatchee, WA) 

Some players who did try out for the squad and did not make it include...Elizabeth Dixon (Louisville), Ashley Joens, Maori Davenport and Aijha Blackwell. The last three played on the 2018 U18 squad Walz coached in Mexico City and Dixon is headed to Louisville after leaving Georgia Tech. 

Howard is back and she was the MVP of the 2018 Tournament. She also plays at UK, a fact UofL fans well know and have to deal with the next three years. Hillmon-Baker and Smith also participated for USA when they won the title last year. 

Out of the 12, Connecticut is represent with two on the roster. So is Baylor.  

Selections were made by the USA Basketball Women's Junior National team Committee, chaired by George Washington University's head Coach Jennifer Rizzotti. 


EVANS CUT FROM USA PAN AM TEAM 

Another UofL WBB star, Dana Evans, tried out for the 2019 USA Pan Am team. Unfortunately, she did not make the squad.

Followers of NCAA DI women's basketball will recognize most of the names that made the squad. The roster looks very solid for Merchant and her staff and Cardinal fans will notice that Miami front-liner Bea Mompremire is on the roster.  

 That roster, to be coached by M.S.U.'s Suzy Merchant, is below: 


Bella Alarie  (Princeton) 
Brittany Brewer  (Texas Tech) 
Chennedy Carter (Texas A&M) 
Kathleen Doyle (Iowa)
Tyasha Harris (South Carolina) 
Taylor Mikesell  (Maryland)
Bea Mompremier (Miami) 
Michaela Onyenware (UCLA) 
Mikayla Pivec (Oregon St.) 
Lindsey Pulliam (Northwestern) 
Kiana Williams (Stanford) 
Peyton Williams (Kansas St.) 


WNBA NEWS

Four Cardinals still on WNBA rosters after team waivers through 5/20/19.

Myisha Hines-Allen is still on Washington's roster. Asia Durr remains with the NY Liberty.  Asia Taylor a part of the Indiana roster and Arica Carter listed on Phoenix's roster. 

Teams have until 5/23/19 (Thursday) to get down to a 12 player roster. The WNBA season starts May 24. 

In Sunday pre-season action, Asia Taylor played 10 minutes in Indiana's 71-66 win over Dallas. A-Tayy had two points on 1-3 shooting, two steals and two rebounds. Asia Durr started for New York on Sunday against the Connecticut Sun. Nite-Nite played 19 minutes, going 0-3 from the floor and picking up two assists and two rebounds in the Liberty's 100-66 loss. 

Have a terrific Tuesday!

paulie
xxxxx

Generous Donation -- Walz's USA Head Coaching Position -- Schedule Changes -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

L&N Donates $2 Million

It was announced yesterday that L&N Federal Credit Union has donated $2 million to UofL Athletics to help fund upcoming projects.  Cardinal Arena will be renamed to L&N Federal Credit Union Arena for their generosity.

The funds are expected to be divided between all Division 1 sports as well as upcoming projects.  How the funds will help the volleyball program and their newly named arena has not yet been announced.

Concerns regarding donations and financial stability arose following the departure of Tom Jurich but it appears Vince Tyra and the UofL Fundraising crew has things well in hand as they continue to make UofL Athletics profitable and continue to find large donors.


Jeff Walz Named USA Basketball U19 World Cup Team Head Coach

No, Jeff Walz is not leaving UofL.  However, the legendary coach has been named head coach for a special occasion.  Walz will command the USA U19 World Cup basketball team this summer.

His staff consists of Natasha Adair (Delaware) and Cori Close (UCLA).  This staff led the 2018 USA Women's U18 National Team to a gold medal in the 2018 FIBA U19 World Cup.

The 12-member team will be selected following the trials May 16-20.  Training camp is July 5-19.  The U19 World Cup will be held in Bangkok, Thailand from July 20-28.

Updated Scheduling

As comes inclement weather so do changes to the schedules.  Softball has pushed their series opening game against Georgia Tech up to 2:00 today in hopes of beating the rain.  The 1:00 Saturday and noon Sunday games are still scheduled as normal.

Why the ACC chose to play games on Easter continues to baffle me since regular season games are cancelled on holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.

Golf is down in Greensboro in the midst of the ACC Championships.  As of last night they sat 6th out of 12 teams and will continue play for the next couple of days.  There have been no changes to the schedule as of right now but things are subject to change.

Lacrosse will wrap up their regular season on Saturday at noon up north against Boston College.  The Eagles sit atop the NCAA rankings and proudly carry an unblemished record after 16 games.

Rowing will be enjoying the Palmetto State today and tomorrow as they compete in the Clemson Invitational.  Rowing does an excellent job of updating their Twitter account throughout the event.

Happy Friday, enjoy your Easter weekend, and Go Cards!

Jared