Mountain - Mississippi Queen

THURSDAY @ CARDINAL COUPLE:


-Mississippi Valley State vs.UofL LADY CARDS tonite.


-Volleyball prepares for NCAA 1st round against MTSU.

-GO CARDS BEAT PURDUE

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(In honor of the visiting Devilettes, we offer the classic MOUNTAIN song from the early seventies. If this one doesn't make you get up and dance with the coffee mug...check your pulse. And, no...that isn't Paul on the left...)



The University of Louisville women's basketball team seeks to improve to 5-3 with a Thursday night game versus SWAC Conference member Mississippi Valley State. The Devilettes come into the contest with a 1-3 mark...losing on the road big to Texas (92-6o) and Texas Tech (73-28) but playing Tom Collen's Arkansas team very close in a 55-54 loss in Fayetteville. Their win came against the legendary Toogaloo College 72-64 in Jackson, MS.. (Grateful Dead fans will relate...'Half step, Mississippi uptown...toodaloo.)

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The Devilettes are led by freshman guard De'Kisha Fondon, who recently received SWAC Newcomer of the Week honors. Fondon had 21 points and three steals against Texas, 10 against Toogaloo and eight vs. the Razorbacks.
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No need to duck. The Devilettes have one player on their roster 6 feet tall. They'll attempt the run and gun Paul Westphal up and down the court theatrics against the Cards. Could be a track meet in the KFC YUM Center tonight.

Louisville must stay on point and not lose focus of the opponent at hand. We all know who comes purring into town on Sunday and they are snarling for a fight. One step at a time, LADY CARDS. Dispose of the Devilettes and then concentrate on the Kitties.

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Louisville Volleyball begins NCAA play against Middle Tennessee State Friday afternoon in West Lafayette, Indiana. The Cards would face the winner of the Kentucky vs. Purdue match if they can defeat the Blue Raiders...who currently hold a 2-0 advantage over Louisville in NCAA Tournament play. The Cards will face a style in Blue raiders volleyball that they have seen several times in the BIG EAST this season...a style that is a little different than the Louisville attack and defense.
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Louisville has faced both Kentucky and Purdue this season. .losing to the Cats 3-2 in Lexington and 3-1 to Purdue in Cardinal Arena. Time for a little payback on either.
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Purdue brings back the memories of Freedom Hall and basketball from many years ago. Louisville defeated the Boilermakers one night and the cheerleaders used to hold up a sign at all four stations of the court....endzones and halfcourt. The signs read...respectivefully...GO... CARDS... BEAT... (Opponent) and the fans in that particular section would shout out what was on the poster board in front of them...creating a swirling cheer effect. After the Purdue game, someone forgot to switch the 'opponent' sign, so fans in the end zone were baffled, then amused when the cheerleaders implored them to beat Purdue again, even though the opponent wasn't Purdue. It became a tradition after that for the students and fans in the end zone to shout out "PURDUE!" each game when the cheerleaders did the cheer, no matter who the opponent was. Finally, after a couple of years... the cheer squad dropped the cheer from the repertoire. (Check Friday's entry for the official version of the Purdue legend).

Opponents were baffled by the cheer. It was great fun to hear it. I also remember an alleged story about a visiting media representative asking a UofL player during that time about the cheer. Maybe not verbatim here...and I can't verify the veracity of the event...but the player allegedly replied, tongue in cheek, words something like what is listed below:

"It really doesn't matter who we go out there to play. We hate Purdue. It fires us up each game, to imagine that our opponent out on the court is Purdue. We feed off our fans and when they get that cheer going, we get pumped. We'd play Purdue every home game if we could. Beating Gene Keady once or twice a week would be so cool. Beat Purdue."

Cards travel to Ohio for Sunday basketball

SUNDAY @ CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Lady Cards vs. Ohio University 2 p.m Sunday

-Volleyball falls to Marquette.

-A look at the U.T. vs UofL stats.

-Tough loss at PJCS.

-Hammond makes it official.

(Terry Jackson, top notch photographer for CARDINAL DOMINANCE, caught CARDINAL COUPLE Co-Owner Paul Sykes at the Louisville vs. Tennessee women's basketball game. We were in the end zone...directly in front of the cheerleaders, the pep band right behind us and next to where Tennessee entered and left the court. Bob Domine and Tony Vanetti were on either side of Paul. Domine is very insightful on game comments and Vanetti was probably just there for the media buffet. Assigned seating for this one, otherwise Paul would have headed for center court.)

Jeff Walz takes the Lady Cards to Athens, OH. Sunday afternoon for a 2 p.m. tipoff against the Bobcats. The Cards will be seeking their first win of the season after falling to the Vols Friday night in a closer than expected 63-50 loss.

The Bobcats are fueled by a couple of transfers and showed balanced scoring in an exhibition game against Ohio Dominican. Tenishia Benson, a transfer from Cincinnati, tossed in 17 points for O.U. and Ashley Fowler added 14. Thia Gholson, who played her high school ball at Louisville Assumption, hit the net for nine and Alesia Howard, a transfer from UMass, was good for eight in the 30 point 66-36 romp. Today's game will be the first regular season contest for the Bobcats.

For Louisville, Monique Reid leads the team with 19 points and 9 rebounds. Jim Kelch and Paul Sanderford (who we mistakenly identified as Charlie Just earlier last week) will handle the play by play on 790 AM / 101.7 FM WKRD. The game can also be heard over at http://www.uoflsports.com/ for the out of towners.

Look for Walz to try and establish the transition game that never seemed to get off the ground against the defensive minded Lady Vols. Also look for a little deeper rotation in today's contest. Walz played only ten of his charges against Pat Summitt's team and three of them (Taylor, Tay and Story) saw less than ten minutes on the court. Shelby Harper, LaToya Johnson, Polly Harrington watched the action from the Cardinal bench.

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Louisville fell to Marquette 25-23, 25-16, 19-25, 19-25 14-16 in a hotly contested match in Milwaukee Friday night. The Cards looked to shut down the Golden Eagles after winning the first two games but a poor hitting percentage in the third game and an a 12-3 by Marquette in the fourth game forced the fifth game. Louisville fell behind early in the deciding game but roared back to tie it at 14 behind Anastasia Artemeva getting four points before Marquette managed the final two points.

For Louisville, Lola Arslanbeckova had 15 kills, Anastasia Artemeva added 14 and Emily Juhl contributed 12. The Cards travel to Syracuse Sunday for a 2 p.m. match against the Orange.

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Some interesting numbers from the UofL vs. UT basketball game:

-Louisville managed only ten rebounds in the second half against the Vols...most of those by wing Monique Reid and guard Tia Gibbs. The Louisville front line grabbed just one in the second half (Keisha Hines). The Vols were tall, no doubt...and blocked out well...but 1 rebound in the second half from your "4" and "5" spots is woeful.

-Louisville forced Tennessee into 29 turnovers...5 of those from freshman guard Meighan Simmons. She made up for it with 22 points on 9-20 shooting. Her two second half treys during the Vols 10 point run were the only treys she made in 7 attempts.

-Louisville canned only 4 attempts from the three point arc in 21 attempts. Becky Burke had two of those in five attempts, Shoni Schimmel went 1-8 behind the arc and Charmaine Tay nailed her only attempt from trifecta land.

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It's official. Sara Hammond is a Card. She sent the paper in and will be on campus next fall. She'll join Quaneisha McCurty, who is expected to sign in the spring and Cierra Robertson Warren, a transfer from UNC, who is already on campus and sitting out.

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WE don't like the "Sunday Morning Quarterback" scenarios....but the subject of debate yesterday in the post game tailgate parties at PJCS centered around UofL's decision to go for a first down on 4th and one in overtime. They failed. USF scored to win the game during the next possesion on a field goal after stopping the Cards.

To kick or not to kick a field goal....that was the decision Charlie strong was faced with. He chose the latter. Despite the criticism WE'VE heard about the choice...WE gently remind all Louisville football fans that he....not you or I or Joe Blow...is the head coach. End of debate.

Volleyball sweeps WVU

MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE PRESENTS:

-Volleyball defeats West Virginia

-Cards get a second in rowing

-Walz prepares for the Vols



Pictured above, Emily Juhl had 13 kills, eight digs and seven service aces in the sweep of the Mountaineers Sunday in Morgantown. The Cards had no trouble in the 25-15, 25-17, 25-11 win over their BIG EAST foe. Juhl closed out WVU with five straight services aces in the third game to end the match.



Louisville never trailed in any of the three games. The Cards also got big efforts from Lola Arslanbeckova with 14 kills, Taylor Braunels' 40 assists and 29 digs from the combination of Caitlin Welch and Maci Wachtel. Louisville hit an outstanding .349 for the three games.

The Cards (17-6, 11-1) continue the road swing with a match at Marquette Friday night at 8 p.m.





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The University of Louisville rowing team finished the second day of the Head of the Hooch regatta by finishing second in the Women's Open 8+ event. The Cards had four boats entered in the field of 29 boats. Louisville's top squad finished behind winner Clemson in the 5,000 meter course with an impressive time of 16.06.6. The other Cardinal squads finished ninth, 19th and 22nd.




This event ended the fall training part of Louisville' season. The Cards will spend several months in training before opening the regular season against Dayton on March 5th., 2011.





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Tennessee is unhappy with a 50 point win in their exhibition basketball game? The Cards will face the Vols this Friday in the KFC YUM Center to kick off the regular season and it looks like Pat Summit is back to her old self. Sue Favor, of 'They're Playing Basketball', has posted up an interesting piece on the demands of the fiery Pat and her staff. You can access 'They're Playing Basketball' in our 'Sites We Recommend' column on the left side of CARDINAL COUPLE. The question is...how will Louisville fare against the UT squad that bowed out in the Round of Sixteen during the NCAA Tournament last year.




One thing Jeff Walz doesn't need to worry about is available bodies. 14 Cards dressed and participated in the Indiana Wesleyan win. Some things he might be thinking about, though...in our humble opinion might include:




-The best rotation out there. The freshmen looked awfully good at times and Shoni Schimmel can play at any pace or speed. Monique Reid showed that she can still fill up the bucket and Asia Taylor, despite the turnovers, is going to the boards with authority. So is freshman Sherrone Vails. Wouldn't surprise us at all to see 2 or 3 freshmen start against U.T.



Or, how about an all "S" lineup of Shoni, Sherrone, Shawnta, Shelby and Slaughter or Story?






-Avoiding the slow start. After the Cards jumped out 2-0 against I.W., it took over six minutes before the next UofL points. Such a gap in scoring Friday night will be lethal against a Vols team that easily topped the century mark last time out. Maybe it was the nervousness of the new arena. Let's hope the stage fright has passed.





-Get back, get back. The Cards showed good transition against I.W. but the Vols are considerably faster and looking to run with each rebound. The guards will have to be ready and can't get caught watching the paint dry on the handrails.

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The game is sold out. All 22,000 tickets gone. Angel's jersey ceremony will be at 6:45 p.m.

Walz not slowing down

THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE PRESENTS:

-Settlement in the Banker suit vs. UofL

-Angel never rests...

-Neither does Jeff Walz

Jeff Walz has saddled up Ol' Paint and is out on the recruiting trail again..days after landing Rockcastle County star Sara Hammond. Walz, pictured right, knows that you can't rest on your laurels and is wisely using this time to make those contacts with the future stars of women's college basketball...before scheduled practices start for his Lady Cards.

Walz recently was in Oregon, getting in face time with talent in the area and also had time to attend the Hermiston Roundup rodeo while visiting. Hmmm...seems to me there's another Schimmel up in those parts. Jude Schimmel, talented point guard and younger sister of Cardinal freshman Shoni Schimmel begins her senior season of hoops for Portland Franklin High School soon and it's rumored that the siblings wouldn't mind playing a few years of college ball together.

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Angel just goes and goes...along with several of the Seattle Storm players. After completing the WNBA finals...McCoughtry packed her bags and headed to the Czech Republic to participate in the World Championships for Team USA. She flew over with USA assistant coach and head coach of the Atlanta Dream...Marynell Meadows. The Americans begin play today against Greece. Swin Cash and Sue Bird were a couple of others who did the pack the bags and go routine as well...after their Seattle team defeated the Dream in the WNBA finals. Those three are joining fellow teammates Maya Moore, Tina Charles, Diana Taurasi, Asjha Jones, Tamika Catchings, Sylvia Fowles, Lindsay Whalen, Candace Dupree and Jayne Appel.

Geno Auriemma coaches...wonder if he can manage to get cooperation from the six former and current Connecticut Huskies on the squad? They picked the right jockey and horses for this race....Auriemma and the Huskies are winners and "Big Syl" is simply a beast on the boards. Angel isn't too shabby, either. Bring it back to the USA, girls.

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Former University assistant track and field coach Mary Banker has been awarded $371,875 by a Jefferson County (KY) jury...finding that she suffered retaliation after she alleged a hostile work environment. Banker claimed that she was treated differently because she was a woman and subsequently terminated from her job after complaining.

The University of Louisville is reviewing the civil-rights case's verdict and will make a decision on what to do next after the verdict is finalized. Banker was employed by UofL in September 2007 as a recruiting coordinator for both the men and women's track and field teams.

Banker had a meeting with senior associate athletic director/senior women's administrator Julie Hermann in February 2008 to discuss some issues and in April 2008 Hermann was informed by head track and field coach Ron Mann that he had decided not to renew Banker's contract. Mann told Banker in May 2008. She sued Cardinal athletic director Tom Jurich and the athletic department in August 2008. Jurich was dismissed as an individual defendant before the case went to jury...after a judge found insufficient evidence that he had personally retaliated against Banker.

Questions surfaced about her ability to do the job. Mann informed both Jurich and Banker that he was not satisfied with her job performance. Banker failed to sign a single scholarship athlete in her time on campus and Mann had to reassign most of the current athletes under her direction to other coaches.

It happens. Sometimes employees just don't work out. The sides differ on whether harassment and discrimination were a part of Banker's reason for poor job performance...but thanks to a jury of her peers...Banker won't have to worry about how well or poor she does anything for awhile. She has stated she'd like to get back into coaching eventually.

Good luck with that one...how many companies want to hire a sales person who can't sell and complains? Banker is currently employed as a waitress. She just got a huge tip, courtesy of the University of Louisville.

Sara Hammond to announce Tuesday morning

WELCOME TO TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:

(We're keeping this one up here until we know the decision)

SARA HAMMOND TO ANNOUNCE TUESDAY 10 A.M.

Prized basketball recruit Sara Hammond from Rockcastle County High School has announced that she'll announce her college choice

Tuesday morning at 10 a.m.

Hammond has narrowed down her college choices to the University of Louisville and the University of Connecticut. She has visited both campuses and received in-home visits from each school last week.

Hammond is considered the front runner for Miss Basketball in Kentucky for the 2010-11 season and was a top player this summer for Kentucky Premier 17U AAU Select team. She played on the team with other UofL targets Kyvin Goodin-Rogers and Makayla Epps.

Hammond is a versatile 6'2" front line player with excellent rebounding skill and has great outside shooting range. She led Rockcastle County to a final four appearance last year in the Ky. State Girls' High School tournament and has been ranked as high as the #12th best player nationwide in the class of 2011.

WE have been supremely confident for quite sometime that Hammond is headed to be a Cardinal and that confidence isn't waning as decision day draws near. We know that UConn has really turned up the juice in their recruiting effort over the last several months...but Hammond has been considered a Louisville lean for several years and we don't see that changing.

Louisville offers several things that she has stated in the past are important to her in her college choice.

-She wants to chose a school where her parents, family and friends can see her play.

Louisville is 2 hours away, Connecticut considerably further.

-She's looking for a school where she'll see playing time and eventually get a chance to start. Louisville has needs in the front court areas and Hammond is tailor-made to fill those.

-Connecticut has an all star list of players either on campus, as returnees or freshmen and several more candidates in the class 0f 2011.

-Hammond is looking for a college that she'll feel comfortable at. She described her Labor Day weekend visit to Louisville as "the best weekend of my life."

-Hammond also has a strong source of commitment to the Rockcastle County and Mt. Vernon, KY. area and it just makes sense that she'd pick a school where those friends and fans would be able to see her play in person. The UofL basketball program under Jeff Walz, in his fourth year as Cardinal skipper has also played Tennessee, Kentucky, Middle Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Eastern Kentucky and Austin Peay. These campus are also close to Mt. Vernon as another chance for her fan base to see her in action.

-Hammond wants to attend a college where she can get a degree in her field of study. We're not sure what that is...but Louisville has a medical school, dental school, law school, engineering school and business school...as well as an arts and sciences school. Covers about everything.

The lure and siren song of the UConn basketball is a strong one. To be considered by them is quite an honor. But, it doesn't always work out there. (Note: the comments previously here in the original article have been removed after editorial review and reader request.)

WE think it is an obvious choice. WE'LL update you when she announces. WE'RE confident that it will be an announcement that will make a lot of people in RED and BLACK happy. WE'RE calling it "Cardinal."

Sherwood hired as WBB graduate assistant

THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:



Today we talk hoops...





-Liz Sherwood joins Lady Cards coaching staff



-Sara sees Walz today





-Angel & Dream host Seattle


Liz Sherwood has joined the Lady Cards basketball coaching staff as a graduate assistant. Sherwood (pictured above from her playing days at Vandy) has a wealth of basketball experience and will assume her duties immediately.

Louisville head coach Jeff Walz released the following statement about Sherwood:

"We are very excited to have a person of such stature join our program. After having played professionally overseas and competed as a student-athlete in the SEC and BIG EAST, Liz will no doubt bring a wealth of knowledge and perspective when mentoring our elite student-athletes, She has a great pedigree and is hungry to learn."

Sherwood came out of high school in 2003 as a McDonalds High School All-American and spent her first year of college at Connecticut...playing on the NCAA National Championship coached by Geno Auriemma. Liz was selected to the BIG EAST All-Freshman team that year. She transferred to Vanderbilt after that and played three years for the Commodores...graduating in 2008 with a degree in Ecomonics. She is originally from Castle Rock, CO. and should prove to be a valuable asset in working with the Cards front line talent...since she is 6'4" and played center for Melanie Baucom at Vandy.

Welcome to the 'Ville, Liz ! "Sherwood" be great if you can get these talented Lady Card front liners to play as well as you did at Vandy! (Apologies offered for the horrible pun...it's early)





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Jeff Walz heads to Mt. Sterling, KY. today for an in-house visit with senior sensation Sara Hammond (pictured right). The Rockcastle County hoops star has narrowed down her college choices to the "Ville" and UConn. She recently returned from a campus visit to the Storrs, CT. school with her parents...meeting with UConn head coach Geno Auriemma and many of the current UConn players and recruits. The Hammonds also got a little sightseeing in...stopping first in New York, NY.


UConn blogger Jim Fuller reports that "she had a great time and really enjoyed the trip." Hammond also has a Friday in-house visit scheduled with long time UConn associate coach Chris Dailey and has reported that she'll make her choice sometime this weekend. Sara spent Labor Day weekend with the players and staff at Louisville, touring the facilities and taking in the UofL vs. UK football game. According to our sources on campus, Hammond really enjoyed her Louisville visit and had a lot of fun with several of the Cardinals that she previously played AAU ball with. She described the visit as "the best weekend of her life."





WE feel that Hammond will choose UofL over UConn...she's excited about the Walz visit Thursday, according to her Facebook entries, and has bonded with many of the Cardinal women's basketball players already. Walz and UofL has been recruiting Hammond since she was a freshman and she's made several unofficial visits to the campus over the past three years.





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Angel McCoughtry and the Atlanta Dream face a "do or die" scenario tonight when they host the Seattle Storm in game three of the WNBA finals. The Dream lost both games in Seattle and would need to win tonight to stay alive in the best out of five series. Angel had a rough outing in the Tuesday night game, missing her first ten out of eleven shots and if Atlanta has any chance at all of forcing a fourth game...McCoughtry will need to re-discover the form that got her selected to the 2010 WNBA Second team. McCoughtry finished seventh in the voting, narrowly missing the first team, behind Sylvia Fowles and Sue Bird.





The Dream need to prolong their "run and gun" style against Seattle tonight. They roared out to a big lead early in game two by forcing the pace and fast breaking the Storm for easy baskets. Seattle eventually slowed the Dream express down and forced Atlanta to try and beat them from the perimeter. Here's hoping Angel finds her groove tonight and Atlanta gets to host the fourth game with a win.





For Angel and head coach Marynell Meadows, it'll be a quick turnaround after the finals. They're scheduled to join Team USA in the FiBA Championships...where USA will look to recapture the championship title after losing it to Australia last time around. Seattle's Sue Bird will also make the late arrival for USA...and Storm center Lauren Jackson will suit up for the Aussies.

Cards drop a tough one in Lexington to UK

THE THURSDAY EDITION OF CARDINAL COUPLE

- Cards fall in five sets to the Cats in Volleyball

-Laura Terry update

Louisville jumped on Kentucky early and late in the match last night but could not hold on in the final set as Kentucky won the decisive fifth game to win the hotly contested match in Memorial Coliseum last night...3 games to 2.

Hotly contested is a perfect way to describe the event in ancient Memorial Coliseum. The facility is sans adequate air conditioning and the two teams played in the equivalent of a boiler room for 2 1/2 hours in front of a wildly appreciative and rowdy fan base of both Louisville and Kentucky fans. Kentucky head coach Craig Skinner seemed to be toweling off his bald head every time the cameras caught him on screen and Louisville head coach Leonid Yelin spent a lot of time flapping his shirt to get air. The humidity, referred to often by the announcers on the Big Blue Sports Network..which showed the game on the Fox Sports South channel..caused frequent stoppage of play as the match progressed, so that the court could be dried.

Louisville roared out to a quick 5-0 lead in the first set and eventually built that lead to 20-11 thanks to the strong net play of Gwen Rucker and Lola Arslanbekova. The Cards closed out the Cats in game 1 25-14 and it looked like Louisville was much the dominant squad.

Kentucky came back in game 2, though and built a 6-2 advantage on the Cards. Heady play by the Wildcats at the net made sure that the Cards would get no closer than four points and UK took the second set 25-19. Despite some excellent slams by Arslanbekova, Louisville could not catch the Cats and the match was tied 1-1.

The teams battled tooth and nail in set three and Louisville led 9-8 after a spectacular spike from Anastasia Artemeva. Kentucky regained the advantage with the score tied 18-18 and would go on to outscore Louisville 7-4 the rest of the way to win the third game 25-22.

Up against the wall, the Cards knew they had to find a way to win game four and force a fifth contest. They battled the Cats to a 10-10 tie early in the set. UofL gained the lead at 13-12 but then went into a hitting slump and UK took a 18-15 advantage. Emily Juhl picked up the sagging Cards with a couple of power kills, though and Louisville roared back to tie the game at 22-22. UK actually had two chances late to eliminate the Cards in the game and match, but a couple of unforced errors and some heads up net play allowed Louisville to score the final three points of the match and win 27-25.

In the fifth game, Louisville jumped out to an early 6-1 lead and appeared to have UK on the ropes...but some impressive serving and blocking at the net got UK back in the contest and they outscored Louisville the rest of the way to win the final game 15-10 and take the contest.

Impressive for Louisville was freshman outside hitter Juhl, who finished with 12 kills. The Sacred Heart high school grad lifted the Cards repeatedly with her slams from the sidelines and baffling serves that UK had trouble setting. Amanda Simmons rose to the occasion for Louisville also with 13 blocks and 12 block assists...tying a school record.

This is a young Cardinal squad...made up of mostly freshmen and sophomores...and the play of Juhl, Arslanbekova...who had 12 kills for the evening...and Artemeva was encouraging against the veteran UK squad. Rucker plays well up the middle for Louisville and Caitlin Welch showed some excellent digging skills...leading Louisville with 13 digs.

A quick turnaround for Louisville...they head to Arizona next to play in the Arizona Wildcat Classic...where they'll start off against Cal State Bakersfield on Friday.

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Lady Card Laura Terry will finish her career at the University of Louisville as an student assistant basketball coach for Jeff Walz in the 2010-11 season. The popular Terry played bits and pieces for Louisville over the last three years but three knee surgeries kept her off the court most of the time and eventually ended her career as a Cardinal player.

Terry and Keisha Hines are the only two Cardinals that are left from Walz's inaugural season at Louisville and we never really got to see the full talent Terry possessed at Louisville after a stellar high school career at Rose Hill Academy in Ashland, KY.

Terry's experience and knowledge of Walz's system will help greatly in the development and tutelage of the younger Cardinal players and it's good to know that she'll be an active part of Team Cardinal during her senior year at Louisville.

Hammond narrows it to 4 schools

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE BRINGS:

-Rockcastle County star Sara Hammond narrows it to four.

-WE offer our spin on UK vs. UofL Footbal

-A comical horse race call

-Has she been forgotten?

Rockcastle County (KY) senior Sara Hammond has pared her list of colleges down to four institutes of higher learning. Making the cut are WKU, Vanderbilt, UConn and LOUISVILLE! We figured all along that the Lady Cards were standing strong with the probable Miss Kentucky Basketball for 2011 and viewing the list confirms the chatter we were hearing about Matthew Mitchell and Kentucky's late pitch falling on deaf ears. The 6'2" versatile player can take it to the hoop or punish you from outside. She has that certain "it"...the look of determination and focus when she is on the court. She has planned recruiting visits to and from Louisville and UConn...none yet for Vandy or WKU.

Let's be Captain Obvious here. Sure, it's great to get the nod and call from Geno and UConn. They are the elite program in women's college basketball and the Huskies don't pick up the phone and call just anyone. But, how many college bound lady hoopster from the Commonwealth have ended up in Storrs, Connecticut? Exactly. Nada, Goose egg, zilch and none. One has to wonder just how serious they are when they have access to about half of the 17U Team USA that won the European Championships?

WKU is a fine school and once used to be a certified power in the college WBB ranks. They might well return to that status but do you really want to spend four years going to non-descript Sun Belt schools? Louisville ex- Janae Howard transferred there to seek more playing time. Speaks volumes about the talent level in Bowling Green...definitely a step below the other three schools. Howard was a streaky shooter during her brief stay at the 'Ville and never could grasp the concepts of defense, rebounding or all over the court hustle.

Vanderbilt has intriguing possibilities. Melanie Baucom has had success with past Kentucky high school stars. Then, there is the other side of the coin. Ask Tia Gibbs about her year at Vandy. The Commodore home court...antiquated Memorial Coliseum reminds me of a medium sized high school gym. There's that weird configuration of benches beneath the basket, the raised floor and it really pales in comparison to the brand spanking new KFC YUM Downtown Arena.

There, Sara...we've laid it all out for you. Jeff Walz has a jersey waiting for you. The Louisville fans have many cheers and screams waiting for you. Enjoy your senior year...it is a magical, dizzying and way too fast time in one's life...and then head to Louisville and continue your education.

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It's everywhere in the air and the topic at water coolers, bars, instant oil change facilities and the internet. Who will win the UofL vs. UK football game on Sept 4th?

We deal primarily with UofL women's sports here. We won't spend a lot of time on the upcoming gridiron tussle...but we will offer five things that we'll be looking for when we're getting baked in the Crunch Zone dressed in red that Saturday.

1) Can UofL receiver Doug Beaumont find the end zone. The likable and talented senior has had a great career at UofL but has never caught a pass for a touchdown. Which leads to the old joke...How do you keep Doug Beaumont out of your front yard? Erect a goal post...Here's hoping he gets there on the 4th.

2) Will UofL fans obey Coach Strong? Charlie wants all Cardinal fans in their seats and raising cain prior to kickoff. We've been around Cardinal tailgaiting many a year and know full well that our fan base doesn't usually do that. WE'LL be looking around when the game starts to see if they're buying into the "Strong philosophy".

3) Can Froman throw the ball down the field? A lot to like about the senior quarterback but his long range passing is suspect. Can he toss one 30-35 yards to a Cardinal receiver accurately? Will they even try?

4) Where do you hide from Brandon Heath? The Cardinal linebacker is a fierce tackler and if UK runs his way...will EMS be needed to cart off the unlucky ball carrier? This guy would tackle his Aunt Ginny if she carried the pigskin...

5) Getting your kicks. The word is that Louisville placekicker Chris Philpott has been accurate and consistent in his field goal attempts during fall practice. Can he translate that success into points in a game that just might come down to a 2 or 3 point margin?

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Gotta share this entertaining call from track announcer Larry Collmus during the 7th. race at Monmouth Race Track on Sunday. (Never get the wives involved!) Click on the link below and enjoy!)

http://www.theneweditor.com/index.php?/archives/11737-Best-Exacta-Ever-7th-Race-at-Monmouth-Park.html

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She was a highly touted, talented freshman at Fern Creek High School for the Lady Tigers basketball team. Has the star on Teonia McCune faded as she prepares for her senior year? At 6'4' she poses a dangerous threat to those who unwisely try to take it to the hoop against her and she rebounds as well as anyone in Kentucky High School girls basketball...but are the major colleges still calling? We know that Louisville's Jeff Walz had a marked interest in her when Monique Reid and Teonia shared the court several years back...but a scan of the most promising 2011 class players doesn't reveal McCune as being one of the top standouts. She also participates in volleyball and track and field at the Creek.

We have to wonder if this will be her breakout year and if the Cards are still looking to fit her into and red and black jersey. Louisville is pursuing several talented and nationally recognized post and paint players in the 2011 class but we're not hearing much about McCune. Stay tuned this winter...we'll detail her final season on the court for the Tigers.

Volleyball, Field Hockey pick up wins

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE :

-Field Hockey handles Kent State

-Volleyball defeats the alumnae

-Some potential 2011 Lady Card hoops recruits?

-Nothing but BLIND LUCK

The University of Louisville field hockey team handled Kent State yesterday at Trager Field 3-0. Rachel Hollenbach, pictured to the left, scored one of the Card goals against the Golden Flashes. The Cards looked good against the MAC opponent...playing them to a scoreless tie in the first half and then erupting in the final stanza.

Amber Thomas began the scoring for the 'Ville in the second half with a nice putback into the nets after Kent State blocked a shot on goal. Pam Bustin's squad increased the margin to 2-0 when senior Simone Attles slapped in a rebound shot off of a penalty corner a few minutes later.

Hollenbach finished the exhibition game scoring late in the match on a nice feed from Karen Nall.

The teams played a sudden death scrimmage and penalty shot contest after the game and Louisville won both of those events also.

Things get officially started for The Flock on Saturday, August 28th when they travel to Michigan State to face off against Duke in the Champion's Challenge.

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Leonard Yelin's Volleyball Cards swept the alumnae in exhibition matched yesterday in Cardinal Arena behind the solid spiking of sophomore Lola Arslankova. Yelin used the exhibition to experiment with several different lineup combinations and the Cards swept the former Cards 25-15, 25-20 and 28-26.

Lola had 10 kills in the matches and Lena Ustymenko, now playing professionally on the west coast beach circuit had nine for the alumnae. The season opens Friday night, August 17th against North Dakota State in Cardinal Arena.

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Louisville is going after some excellent recruits for the 2011 basketball season. Quaneisha McCurty, a 6'5" post for Dalton (GA) High School has already verballed to the Cards. Cierra Warren, a powerful 6'4" front liner is on campus after transferring from UNC. Rockcastle County (KY) forward and probable 2010 Miss Basketball Sara Hammond lists Louisville as her front runner and Cardinal fans who saw her play in the recent AAU tournament here in Louisville are absolutely in love with her game...as are the Cardinal coaches and current players.

Here's a few that are still out there on the radar for Louisville in 2011:

Raven Ferguson, a 5'11" small forward at Columbus (OH) Africentric High School lists Louisville along with Ohio State, Miami (FL), Michigan State and Xavier as possibles. She helped lead her team to a state title last year and is a certified scoring machine.

Sheila Boykin, a 6'2" power forward out of Long Beach (CA) Poly Tech is considering the Ville along with several west coast schools, Arizona and Arizona State. She's hard to handle in the paint and has the BIG EAST body size that would make her quite effective at Louisville.

Erika Johnson, a 6'1" power forward from Seattle (WA) has Louisville listed with UNC, Washington and California as her favorites. She's a contender for player of the year in Washington and scores well from all over the court.

All three of these potentials are ESPN Top 50 prospects and would give the Cards a wealth of front line participants to go with the ample and deep back court players already on campus.

Get 'em in here, Jeff! We all know Louisville in the place to be!

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Jerry Hollendorfer's BLIND LUCK came storming down the stretch in the $500,ooo Alabama Stakes at Saratoga to catch front runner ACTING HAPPY and win with Joel Rosario on board. Sent off as the 9-5 second favorite she hung back in the pack until they hit the stretch and then unleashed a powerful run to catch and pass the leader and hold off hard charging HAVRE DE GRACE by a neck to win. 3-5 favorite DEVIL MAY CARE finished fourth in the field of six.

Rider John Velazquez won five races yesterday on the Saratoga card and was aboard DEVIL MAY CARE in the feature...but finished three lengths behind third place runner ACTING HAPPY in the Alabama. The exacta was a good one paying $29.60 for a $2 wager but the trifecta was much more pleasing...putting $147 into the pockets of those who had the $2 combination of 4-6-1.

BLIND LUCK ran earlier in Kentucky this spring...winning the Kentucky Oaks. She's a legit three year old filly who has already earned over $1 million dollars in her young career.

Several upsets in other high profile races yesterday around the nation. DEBUSSY slipped by turf champion GIO PONTI in the Arlington Million and DUKE OF MISCHIEF knocked off I WANT REVENGE in the Iselin Stakes at Monmouth. Favorite PADDY O' PRADO captured the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington and Victor Espinoza guided top betting choice EVENING JEWEL

to an easy win at Del Mar in the Del Mar Oaks.

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Last day to get in your entries for this week's PANERA BREAD gift card giveaway. I had the opportunity to sit down with PANERA executive and managing partner Archie Karel earlier this week at one of his local restaurants and found a new favorite for breakfast...the tasty sausage, egg and cheese on toasted ciabatta bread. MMM..MMMM..GOOD!

Shelby Harper not short on skills

IN THE WEDNESDAY EDITION OF CARDINAL
COUPLE:

-Shelby Harper's hustle a key for Lady Cards

-Fern Creek wins in Softball World Series

-Angel and Atlanta fall out of first place

She may be only 5'4"..but there is no shortness of hustle in Shelby Harper's game. The Scottsville, KY. point guard walked on the University of Louisville women's basketball team last year, recommended by Monique Reid..based on AAU ball the two had played together..and ended up playing in 29 games for the Cards...starting in 17 of those.

Cardinal fans quickly fell in love with her breakneck, frantic style of play and she also showed she could punish a zone...nailing five three-pointers against Utah. Harper ran Jeff Walz's offense from the point guard position for most of the second half of the 2009-10 season and led the Cardinals in assists for the season. Sharing time at the point with Rachel Story, Harper's tenancity on defense was one of the bright spots in an otherwise disappointing Lady Cards season.

She averaged 3.2 point per game for Louisville and shot 33% from beyond the arc. When injuries had Louisville down to a bare bones compliment of 6-7 healthy players, Harper and Burke would often put in 38-40 minutes per game at the guard positions.

If there is a knock on Harper, it would be her size. How effective a 5'4" point guard can be in the tough, physical BIG EAST is certainly a matter of debate and there were times that she was overmatched and outskilled against some of the leagues top performers. No one, though...had a bigger heart and sense of determination than Harper, though...and with a year of experience and wisdom behind her, she'll be a key component in the 2010-11 Lady Cards.

PROGNOSIS: Shelby Harper will be deep into the battle for starting point guard this year for Jeff Walz's Louisville Cardinals. Although she probably won't win the starting role, you can expect her to be a valuable 'off the bench' contributor and emotional spark plug for the Cards. She quickly became a crowd favorite during her first year at Louisville and could see time as the designated "three shooter" for Louisville if Burke or Schimmel are having a rough night.

(Most of the Lady Cards have gone home for a few days before the Fall semester begins at UofL. When they return, it'll be just a short peroid of before the team can officially begin practices. We'll wrap up our review of returning Lady Cards next week with articles on LaToya Johnson and Dez Byrd.)

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Fern Creek 16U softball won their first game in the losers bracket of the Babe Ruth girls' World Series yesterday, easily defeating Herndon, VA 7-1. They remain alive in the double elimination format and face Lodi, CA. today in their first game. The Creekers beat Lodi in pool play earlier in the tournament and if they win, they advance to play Luzerne County, PA. Lodi knocked host Varina, VA. out of the competition yesterday with a 4-1 victory.

Keep winning and advancing is the only option here for Fern Creek. One game at a time, girls.

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Seattle went on a decisive 8-0 run late in the fourth quarter to defeat the Atlanta Dream 80-70 last night in WNBA action in Atlanta. The Dream stymied the Storm early in the contest...jumping out to a 12-4 lead...causing Seattle coach Rick Agler to bench his starting lineup and play his bench the remainder of the first half. The strategy worked and Seattle led 32-31 at the half.

Atlanta actually led the contest with 4 minutes to go but veteran Lauren Jackson keyed a Storm rally to get the win for the league's top team. The Storm (25-4) clinched home court advantage for the playoffs with the win.

Fox Sports South televised the contest and from what we could determine by watching, Atlanta needs an extended session of scoring in the paint practice. The Dream missed over 40 shots in the paint last night, many of them lightly contested...and was also baffled by Seattle's switching defense. One also has to question why McCoughtry was on the bench when Seattle made their late fourth quarter run. Not knocking Dream coach Marynell Meadows, mind you...but shouldn't you have your best out there during crunch time? At times this season, it has appeared that Meadows is punishing McCoughtry by placing her on the bench for extended periods of time during key parts of the game. Maybe there is a reason behind it, but if I've got the third leading scorer in the league on my roster...I want her out there when it's a close contest.

Angel McCoughtry led Atlanta in scoring with 16 points but produced a sub-par 3-19 shooting night. The Dream falls to third place in the Eastern Conference, in a tie with the Washington Mystics and one and one half games behind Indiana....who defeated L.A. 80-76 in Los Angeles last night.

Burton's 'hipness' a question for Lady Cards

MONDAY'S CARDINAL COUPLE PRESENTS:

-The rundown on Lady Card guard Nikki Burton
-Fern Creek Softball sweeps pool play
-Dream drops to 2nd place in WNBA
-Your weekly PANERA winner

For Nikki Burton (pictured to the right)..it's all about whether she's recovered from the hip surgery last month enough to be a factor for Jeff Walz's University of Louisville basketball team. Cardinal fans got to see just enough of her last season to realize that the talented combo guard can be a force and factor in the back court. Unfortunately, like several other of the ladies on last year's team, a season ending injury put her on the shelf. (We understand that her personality
'hipness' is just fine...she's very popular among her teammates.)

Burton played in 18 games for Louisville last year, drawing the starting assignment in 11 of them. She proved to be an aggressive, ball-hawking guard on defense and averaged 5.9 points per game for Louisville....good enough for sixth place in the Cardinals point per game average. Although we really didn't see much out of her from three point range, her game is more centered around transition and driving to the hoop...which fits in well with Jeff Walz's style of basketball.

The big question about her is how she'll come back from her surgeries on her hip. We saw Dez Byrd come back probably too early after her injuries and it basically cost her a season. We're hoping that the same thing doesn't happen with Burton. Fortunately, the UofL squad is deep in guards this year and Walz has the luxury of choosing from healthy players to fill the back court slots.

PROGNOSIS:
Burton has talent...scary good talent when she's able to motor. She can stop and burn opponents with the mid-range jumper and isn't afraid to take it the the hoop if the opportunity presents itself. The question is, when and how effectively will she be able to do this in 2010-11? If ready to go, she'll challenge for a "first off the bench" position and see plenty of court time in the KFC YUM center. Here's hoping she heals well and can show the flashes on a consistent basis that gave UofL fans promise and hope for her career last year.

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Fern Creek's 16 and under girls' softball team knocked off host Varina, VA in pool play yesterday to go 4-0 in pool competition and advance from the National Division to double elimination tournament play next week. They whitewashed Varina 2-0 yesterday, allowing just 3 hits. Fern Creek scored a run in the fifth and sixth to secure the victory.

By winning the division, they draw a first round bye in tournament competition and will play their next game next Monday.

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The Atlanta Dream fell 1/2 game behind Indiana by doing absolutely nothing. They had an off day Sunday but Indiana blew out Phoenix 104-82 to grab the Eastern Conference lead. It's a close race in the East...with New York only 1 game back and Washington 2 games behind Indy.

Things don't get any easier for Angel and the Dream (18-11). They face off against Western Division leader Seattle in Atlanta on Tuesday night. Seattle is a runaway leader in the Western Conference with a 24-4 record and 10 games ahead of Phoenix.

The question is...how can this NOT be the Tuesday ESPN 2 televised game? Instead, the 4 letter network will show Indiana at L.A....and that one doesn't tip off until 10 p.m. L.A. has the second worst record in the league at 10-18...suffering from the injury that sat down Candace Parker for the season. Guess we'll have time to watch both of the NCIS summer reruns Tuesday night before remoting in this one...and it could be a toss up between the WNBA and The Good Wife on CBS Tuesday.

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Congratulations to Barbara Hancock for winning the weekly PANERA gift card contest! WE had a lot of good entries last week but Barbara nailed down the prize with a short but sweet reason why she and her husband choose PANERA.

"We like PANERA BREAD because of the wide variety available there. I especially like the whole grain taste of their breads. It is satisfying."

Couldn't agree more, Barbara! You still have 3 chances to win PANERA gift cards...all you have to do is send us a short e-mail telling us why you choose PANERA. If the Yorkie drags your essay out of the pile that we've downloaded and spread out on the kitchen floor, you're a winner!
(Just kidding...we let an independent panel of judges read and select each week's winner. No, Paula Abdul and Simon aren't the judges.) Send those entries to cardinalcouple@insightbb.com

Hines returns to pound in the post

IN TODAY'S CARDINAL COUPLE

Keisha Hines-the force in the middle.

The defense rests in the Sypher trial.

One from the mailbag.


Keisha Hines, pictured on the right, deserves a nickname. She prowls the post like a caged panther, challenging any attempts to score from inside the paint and clearing out the area if any of the Lady Cards look to drive and score. The term "Enforcer" is overplayed..but it is something she does well. Hines goes about her work with the quiet confidence of a trained hit man, knowing her opponent, what she needs to do to eliminate them and quietly carrying out her assignment.

She's not the flashy, showboat scorer nor the loud, pumped up leader of the Lady Cards. But, she is a senior this year...and was the 3rd leading scorer for Louisville last season. Keisha just goes to work against the opponent's muscle in the middle and exchanges the elbows, shoves and bumps that a lot of fans miss while following the path of the basketball.

Hines started 23 of the 28 games she played in last year for Louisville. Actually led the team in shooting percentage with 52.3 % and averaged 9.1 points per game. Her 6.9 rebounds a game wee second best on the squad. She also averaged 3.6 fouls per game, leading Louisville in that dubious category, too. This is to be expected when you are the bouncer. She is one of two Cardinals on the roster that was on board when Jeff Walz took the job at Louisville.

You don't see a lot of the things that Hines does on the court but you can be assured that she is out there, pounding in the paint, denying the interior pass and catching the lob pass and going strong to the hoop. She has served her time as a backup...to Tise Wright, Gwen Rucker, Ashley Rainey and others...and she'll have several talented freshmen front line players with her this year that will see playing time in the post. Her work ethic will not change. She'll be the one to help the new players adjust to and learn the Walz style of basketball inside.

If the Cardinal basketball team is a pyramid, consider Keisha the strong base that helps the other bricks achieve height and stability. She's gathered her bumps and bruises over the past three years and dished out an equal share of them to opposing BIG EAST centers.

You can expect more pain distributed and dished out for her senior year. Bright, sparkling and funny off the hardwood...but stern, determined and serious once the ball is inbounded.

Keep jammin' them up, Keisha. It's appreciated.

PROGNOSIS:

Hines will be the front runner for the center position this year for Louisville. She will have competition from several new players. She'll get all she wants in practice from unavailable redshirt transfer Cierra Warren and this will only help her game....if the two don't kill each other. We'd love to see her cut back on the silly, reach in fouls that plagued her at times last year. Her senior season could be the best of her career and she won't back down from anyone.

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The drama expected in Wednesday's Karen Sypher court trial never materialized. The defense rested without putting Mom, the kids, Bill the Goat or Sharin' Karen on the stand. Closing arguments next and one has to wonder if the brevity of the defense is a confident assumption
that the prosecution failed to prove their case or simply a hesitance to put the wordy and inaccurate Sypher under oath.

The question now is how long will it take the jury to render a decision and what will they come up with? Will there be an appeal if the verdict doesn't suit the defense? It hasn't been BOSTON LEGAL or LAW AND ORDER...but there have been some memorable moments and sordid details surface. How badly has Pitino's reputation been sullied and soiled and how will Sypher look in an orange jumpsuit?

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CARDINAL COUPLE got an interesting e-mail the other day and we'd like to share it with you:

"I like reading your blog each day and I appreciate the information about Louisville Women's Sports. I am in the armed forces and overseas, so your reports help me follow my Cardinals and I look forward to the fall sports seasons and your reports on the games and contests.

I got a big surprise the other day when I was off duty and doing some shopping in a nearby outdoor market. I had on my NCAA Women's Final Four T-Shirt and a middle aged man walked up to me and displayed the "L" with his fingers. I naturally was surprised and asked him about his knowledge of the Cards. He told me that he had seen about half of Angel's games in Slovakia with the Good Angels Kosice team last season and had accessed several UofL sports web sites and saw several of the players flashing the "L"...so he adopted it, too.

Thanks for the coverage and I hope you enjoyed this story."

(Name withheld by request.)

Cardinal fans...spanning the globe...Keep your head down, come back to us safe and thank you for defending our country. OOORAHHH!

UofL getting ready for new womens' basketball season ticket holders

Why is Bill so happy?

He heard the news about the chance to get season tickets for UofL Womens' basketball. Here's the information on how you can join Bill this season:

Selections for seats for new potential season ticket holders will be held at the YUM Center on the UofL campus on Monday August 9th.

Those interested should go to the YUM Multipurpose room starting at 3 p.m. to pick seats.

Pricing is as follows:

$80 for adults.
$25 for children.
$75 for faculty and students

There will be a $50 donation if you want to sit in Sections 106 or 116. Same donation if you're looking to land in rows A-F in Sections 105, 107, 115 & 117.

Family plans are also available. $160 a year and you can choose from Sections 103,104,108, 119,113, 114, 118 & 119.

This is an excellent opportunity to see the Lady Cards at great prices. Additional information can be obtained by calling 502.852.5863.

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U.S. vs. Sypher Friday results:

-Former Sypher attorney Dana Kung Fu admits that he fooled around with our girl several times and didn't want to represent her at first. He got interested though when he figured out what 10% of 10 million dollars worked out to. Capitalism...the American way.

-Don't shoot Tim Sypher...he's only the message carrier. Tim denies that he help construct the letter he hand delivered to Rick shortly before the Cards game against WVU. I wonder if he brought the rest of the mail to Rick as well? I wonder if I could get him to check my PO Box for me on a regular basis. In fact, I just wonder about Timmy and what he was thinking when he decided to marry ol' Sharin' Karen. I also wonder why Disney character Goofy can talk and Pluto can't. After all, they're both dogs. I also wonder....oh, never mind.

-Dana Kung Fu was a scared and fearing for Karen's life and safety after the Rick responded to her requests. I wonder if he listens to much Lynyrd Skynyrd?

-We now know why Richard Pitino decided to leave the nest and shuffle off to Gainesville. It wasn't because they do the "Gator Chomp" during games. It wasn't because he loves the blue and orange color scheme of UF. Dad didn't want him exposed to the upcoming media circus. And, it was the right move. Gainesville has no media, internet connections and has no idea that this case is actually going on. They still think Andy Griffith and Opie walk to that pond every day and Urban Meyer was the movie sequel to URBAN COWBOY.

-We learned that the chances of reconciliation and dialogue between Karen and Tim are pretty much out the window. Shame...those two crazy kids seemed so right for each other.

-We were reminded that Rick is a part owner in several car dealerships in Lexington. Now that UK fans have access to this information, you can expect sales to drop 50%. "I ain't gonna drive no car that Piteneer is associated with". (I wonder if Calipari got his Lexus there?)

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Remember, two more days to get in your e-mails for $10 worth of PANERA gift cards this week. We've had some pretty good entries this week and deciding a winner could be tough. Maybe you've got one that will blow the rest away? (Sorry, bad Sypher reference.) E-mail it to us at:

cardinalcouple@insightbb.com or just leave your masterpiece in the comments section here. Even if you don't win this week, there will be several more chances to win and all entries are eligible for a 2 week vacation touring the grape arbors of South Dakota. (OK, we made the last part up...but we still encourage you to get those PANERA love letters to us.)

From the mailbag

You have 3 days to get your entry in for $10 of Panera gift cards. We'll do the drawing Sunday night and announce the winner for the week in
Monday's column. Just drop us an e-mail at:

cardinalcouple@insightbb.com

and let us know what you like about Panera. We'll have weekly winners up to the Labor Day Weekend, so get your entry in today...and thanks to those of you who have sent us some great reasons so far.

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Time to review the inbox this Friday. We always welcome your comments and suggestions at CARDINAL COUPLE and try to respond to each one with a return e-mail. (Even the UK ones.)
You can also reach us at psykesads@aol.com


DONNIE writes:

I really enjoy the articles about UofL women's sports and want to know if you'll be doing anything about men's sports at UofL down the road?

CARDINAL COUPLE:

Thanks for writing Donnie! There are a ton of good sites out there that cover the guys at UofL. We are primarily focused on the women's sports at UofL and don't plan on expanding on that...though. If you check the sites that we recommend on this blog, you'll find some great reading. CARDINAL DOMINANCE and UofL CARD GAME are two of them that we contribute articles to...and all the ones listed are worth your time to check out.

AUDREY writes:

Where do you think the UofL women's basketball team will finish in the BIG EAST this year?
Also, will Shoni Schimmel start for UofL?

CARDINAL COUPLE:

Preseason predicitions on Jeff Walz's team can be tricky, since there are so many new players, but we'll take a stab at it. Obviously UCONN is still loaded for bear and deserves a preseason top ranking. GEORGETOWN comes back with a lot of starters and NORTE DAME still has Skylar Diggins...plus some other returning starters. RUTGERS has recruited well and any C.Vivian Stringer team has to be respected. This would be my top four in the BIG EAST preseason rankings. I do think LOUISVILLE has a great chance to finish within the next four teams, though. Monique Reid is a proven scorer...and other returning starters are Becky Burke, Keisha Hines, Asia Taylor and Shelby Harper. Dez Byrd, a former starter is back and Tia Gibbs, from Vanderbilt, is very talented. The freshman class will compete for all the starting jobs and the depth and talent of this team should have the Cards in contention for at least 5th in the BIG EAST...if not better. You, the fans, are really going to be surprised how good these freshmen are and Tia Gibbs also.

As far as Shoni Schimmel starting...let's see what she brings to the court. I'll trust in Jeff Walz's judgement here...

ONE CRAZY CARD writes:

Who do you think will be the freshman that will produce the most for the basketball team this year?

CARDINAL COUPLE:

Boy. that is the $100,000 question! All six incoming freshmen are talented and will see significant court time, in my opinion. If Schimmel is all that is hyped and promised, she could easily be that second scorer that the Cards will need this year. I like Charmaine Tay's guard abilities and think she could be part of the rotation at guard. Antonita Slaughter has a great all over the court presence and will fit in well with Walz's fondness for the transition game and creating off the defense. Both Sherrone Vails and Shawnta Dyer will add depth and skill to the Cards front line. The surprise factor could be Polly Harrington. She's a rebounding machine and has great quickness and defense.

OK, this didn't probably help you any, CRAZY...but if I had to pick one of these talented freshmen as the biggest potential contributor...I'm going to go with Schimmel. I reserve the right to change my mind, though...and feel that all the freshmen will be a valuable resource this upcoming season.

BURTON ERNIE writes:

What is CARDINAL COUPLE'S favorite women's sport at UofL?

CARDINAL COUPLE:

We really like all the women's sports at UofL. Sonja was a field hockey player and she leans a little more toward that and hoops. Paul absolutely fell in love with the softball team this spring and is a big hoops fan also. We also like lacrosse, volleyball, soccer, rowing, golf, track, tennis...well, you get the picture.

We'd like to know how you feel about this. What is your favorite women's sport at UofL? Feel free to leave your answer in the comments column or send us an e-mail.

Asia Taylor ready for the season to begin

CARDINAL COUPLE caught up with power forward Asia Taylor after the FILA Summer Derby Classic. She was there with her UofL womens' basketball teammates, watching and supporting as Kentucky Premier won their final game of the tournament.

Two things you notice about her when you talk to her. First, that she has the body build and strength to be one of the dominant front line players in the Big East this year. Secondly, there is a confidence and maturity about her that will come in handy with so many new Cardinals on the team this year. Here's the interview:

CARDINAL COUPLE: What did you think about this Premier team that just won? They're pretty impressive aren't they?

TAYLOR: Yeah, they get up and down the floor really well and they've got a lot of good athletes..so it was pretty fun to watch.

CARDINAL COUPLE: Do you think Sarah Hammond is one of the best players in the state next year?

TAYLOR: I do think she could possibly be. She's very fundamental. She's got a great game.

CARDINAL COUPLE: HOw would you like to have her on the LADY CARDS next year?

TAYLOR: Definitely! We want her here, really bad.

CARDINAL COUPLE: The word is out on you that you've really come on this summer and are the "beast" of the Cardinals...what have you done concerning your game and talk a little about the injury.

TAYLOR: (Laughing) Well, that's really nice...whoever said that about me. Basically, I just feel more like me...I'm about 90% right now and everything is feeling good. My ankle is letting me do what I want to do on it. Back in May, when I went home, I got in the gym a lot and worked everyday. I'm hoping it's starting to pay off. I hope that if my teammates get me the ball and look for me I can get it done. It's going to be a really good year for us. That's guaranteed.

CARDINAL COUPLE: You and Keisha are the lone returnees on the front line this year. You've had a chance to get on the court with the newer girls. Who is going to be battling you for playing time?

TAYLOR: I really can't say. I love 'em all and it's just going to be a battle, for real. It going to be whoever wants it the most. We all encourage everybody and we've all been working hard..so whoever makes it, makes it. We're all going to keep working.

CARDINAL COUPLE: We're certainly looking for big things this year out of UofL and we're all very happy that Asia landed in Louisville.

TAYLOR: (Laughing) It's definitely going to be a great year. Believe that. And tell Ms. Sonja hello for me.

If Asia's confidence and belief in this team and in her game is any indication of how the Cardinals' year will go...it could be very good, indeed.

We're Back....

HELLO, AGAIN. Thank you for bearing with our short absentee status on UofL Women's athletics. Some minor computer adjustments were necessary and now we're good to go.
(By the way, the hamsters did return from Truckee..a bit nervous but otherwise in good health.) California dreamin...

The young lady in the picture above wearing the blue #42 jersey is Cierra Warren. Please welcome her as the newest signee for the UofL women's basketball team. Cierra has transferred from the University of North Carolina, will sit out the 2010-11 season and wil have three years of elgibility for Louisville after that.

Warren is a 6'4" post that was ranked 18th best in the nation when she graduated from Los Osos high school in Rancho Cucamonga, CA in 2009. She went to the Tarheels and averaged 4.2 points and 2.6 boards her freshman year as a back up post.

The scoop on Warren is that she is a strong, physical interior presence. Picture Tina Charles or Kia Vaughn and you'll get an idea of her skills. She scores with ease in the paints and is a feared shot blocker. She'll be the type of brawling, agressive post that is a definite plus in the brutal Big East.

Louisville has fared well with transfers in recent years. Candyce Bingham came to the Lady Cards after two years at Xavier. Toni Slaughter joined the team after starting her college career at Cincinnati. Currently on the roster is talented guard Tia Gibbs...here after a year at Vanderbilt.

Sometimes, it goes the other way. Janae Howard left the Cards after one season to transfer to Western Kentucky. She'll be on the court this year, as will Mary Jackson who shipped out to Memphis after a year on the national runner up team.

Welcome to the nest, Cierra.

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Jeff Walz has made official what we've been telling you for weeks here at CARDINAL COUPLE. Gwen Rucker will concentrate on volleyball in 2010-11 and not don the basketball jersey. Laura Terry's career is finished...a victim of knee problems. Ashley Rainey is at Lindsey Wilson. All three of the Cardinals had their shining moments in the red and black and we wish them the best of future endeavors as they go onward toward their degrees and careers. Rucker will be fun to watch on the volleyball court this year. Rainey will probably average double doubles each night at NAIA Lindsey Wilson. Laura will be an inspiration for the team from the sidelines.

And so it goes. They come, they leave, they contribute and they learn.

Future Lady Card shines in All-Star game.

(Another smaller person whose powers were greatly underestimated. Go get 'em, Polly)

One of the areas where the University of Louisville women's basketball team had difficulties this past season was finding a scorer to augment Monique Reid's efforts. A combination of injuries and inexperience hobbled the Cards at times in offensive execution. If incoming freshman Polly Harrington's performance in the
Midwest All-Star Classic is any indication of the future, Louisville has at least one player on the way that will help solve that problem.

Harrington was named co-MVP of the game and contributed 18 points for the West Squad.
Harrington, a 6'0" power forward from Kansas City, may seem smallish for the position but plays a lot taller than her height. Think of Victoria Dunlap from UK. She has the ability to get to the boards and her strength and aggressiveness allow her to be a force inside. She's had to deal with coaches trying to switch her to guard because of her height but her game is best served when she is inside and creating on both ends of the court.

Antonia Slaughter, another UofL signee, played for the winning East squad in the game and picked up eight points and six boards. We like Slaughter's all over the court hustle and intensity. She'll be a force for the Cards and at 6'2' a rebounding asset.

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Speaking of all star games, isn't it time the Derby Classic folks woke up and brought in a girls' Classic game for the weekend? There is a ton of women's talent in this area and too few girls' All-Star games offered to the deserving players out there.

The game could be played before the boys' game on Saturday...or it could follow the Night of the Future Stars on Friday. I'm sure the attendees wouldn't mind being moved for the competition to the downtown arena for both of the 2 days.

Time to get the upgrade here and make this local event a "must play" for the best male and female high school players. And, while you're at it, do something about those garish coats that the Derby Festival officials wear each year. Strutting around like a peacock in a Rodney Dangerfield type outfit...yeah, we all just love that. Elitism really impresses the majority of us, correct? The sad thing is, they think they look really cool and stylish...but we're all laughing behind your backs when you walk away. Maybe I should break out my old leisure suits and polyester, flowered shirts and pants...Or not.

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The Women's Final Four has two teams that have punched their ticket for San Antonio last night and each game was a thriller to the final buzzer. Baylor went on a game ending 10-0 run to defeat Duke in the first contest 61-57. The Bears' freshmen, especially Brittany Griner, upset the apple cart on the veteran Dookies. At 6'8", Griner has changed the way opponents play defense (prayer and triple teams don't even work) and the shot swatting, inside scoring abilities of the towering freshman are just darn fun to watch.

Unless you're playing against her.

The nightcap was just as exciting. A towering Xavier team took it to #1 West seeded Stanford all night long in a see saw battle that went to the final buzzer. Twin towers Ta'Shia Phillips and Amber Harris sent Stanford All-American Jane Appel (anyone else think that she looks like a young Jane Curtin of Saturday Night Live fame?)to the bench before the game ended and Xavier looked to be on the way to springing the upset. Then, the fun really began.

Jeanette Pohlen drove the length of the court with 4.4 seconds remaining and tossed in a layup at the buzzer for the 55-53 win. This followed two misses on two straight plays at the other end, unguarded and under the basket by Xavier's Dee Dee Jernigan that would have given the Muskies the lead. Tough to say that any three plays can be considered the difference between a win and a loss...but Pohlen's mad dash to the hoop for the win and the two blown opportunities by Jernigan were game changers.

UConn plays tonight..expect another 20-30 point walk in the park win for them. UK vs. Oklahoma will be the one to watch as the Cats see if the glass slipper fits in Kansas City.

Written by Paul
3/30/10 (Happy birthday, sis-in-law Anita! Go out to dinner!)

"Second season" starts tonight for Lady Cards

Start spreading the news. The Lady Cards are playing tonight. The question one must ask is if the competition against St. Patrick's Day events and pre NCAA Tournament excitement limits the number of Lady Cards fans in the stands. This writer hopes it doesn't. (Ol' Blue eyes predicts a double digit UofL win...)


The University of Louisville women's basketball team gets a chance for a small step toward redemption tonight as they begin post season play in the WBI against Bradley tonight in Freedom Hall at 7 p.m. It is said that season ending tournaments are the start of a "second season" for teams. Since the Cards went 1-1 in the Big East Tournament, maybe this is the third season. Regardless, it is a chance for Jeff Walz to continue working with this young and learning Cardinal squad against Bradley and the other 14 participants that make up the WBI.

A check of the tournament entries doesn't reveal any women's basketball powers awaiting Louisville. Indeed, most of the other teams in the WBI must be scratching their heads and wondering how Louisville, the national runner up a year ago in the NCAA Tournament fell so far and so fast. It has been the season from hades for the UofL squad...but the slate is wiped clean, the sheets changed on the bed and the Cards have a chance to string together a four game win streak that might wash a little of the bitter taste off of the Lady Cards basketball taste buds.

A question is how will Louisville rise to the challenge of facing teams that would normally grace the Cards pre-Big East schedule? Teams that would normally take a 20-30 point thumping from the Cardinal teams of yesteryear. But. let's face it. This year's version of Lady Cards basketball wasn't exactly a tricked out street rod drawing ooohs and aaaahs from spectators. Maybe the competition level matches the product? This Cardinal vehicle has been in for more repairs, adjustments and overhauls this season than the '81 Chevette I had the misfortune of being stuck with fresh out of college.

One would hope that Monique Reid's shooting is still intact, Asia Taylor and Keisha Hines still have some motivation to crash the boards and that the long range bombing and defensive skills of Becky Burke haven't headed south for spring break. We also may get to see LaToya Johnson and Nikki Burton return from the I/R list. Both could be key and essential cogs in the Lady Cards machine for 2010-11.

Fans from other schools can tease and sometimes do the "N.I.T." chant when their schools are winning against a rival or opponent that isn't having a stellar season. This is one step below the NIT. A fledgling tournament which merely offers 16 schools a chance to get a few more games in before they begin off season conditioning workouts. Either an affirmation of a season gone less than expected or a chance to put some positive spin on the plans for next year. Call it lipstick on the pig if you want...I'll take the high road here and look at it as a chance to give the home fans at least one more chance to cheer and see the Lady Cards we all love to watch...the winning version. A chance for the coaches and players to set the groundwork and frame for brighter prospect in the future. Still playing, survive and advance. I won't discuss what a loss tonight would serve. Formulate your own negativities on that one. It's the 500 lb. gorilla in the corner I refuse to acknowledge.

We'll see how the Lady Cards react. Top of the mornin' to ya. Happy St. Patty's Day! It's time for the wearing of the green...but let's hope that red and black are the colors celebrated in Freedom Hall tonight.

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(You have 24 hours to get your NCAA men's and women's tournament brackets filled out. On the men's side...avoid Sam Houston State and Montana. On the women's side, just write "UConn" 63 times on the sheet.)

If you like, join us in the women's tournament selection contest over at www.ncaa.com
Our group is Louisville Cardinals and the pass code is: ladycards


Written by Paul
3/17/10