UofL Volleyball around the corner

The "hump day" edition of CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Volleyball starts next Friday


-Atlanta drops to the Sky


-Apple Tournament rolls on



Sophomore Lola Arsenbeckova leads a University of Louisville volleyball team that won the BIG EAST TOURNAMENT last year and returns several key components for 2010 season. Arsenbeckova was the only Cardinal named to the preseason all BIG EAST first team and the Cards were picked to finish second in the league...behind last year's regular season champs Cincinnati.


Joining Lola on the hardwood are returning starters Gwen Rucker, Lindsay Mango and several new additions to the team. Although the loss of graduates Lecia Brown, Kimi Hohi and Justine Landi leave the Cards searching for replacements in several key positions...Louisville has experience and depth with the combination of returning players and highly heralded freshmen on the roster.

The Cards truly have an international flavor to them again this year. Arsenbeckova and Tanya Lukyanenko hail from Uzbekistan, Anastasia Artemeva from Russia and Gosia Lech from Poland. Locally, Louisville area prospects freshmen Catlin Welch (Mercy), Emily Juhl (Sacred Heart) and returning starter Maci Wachtel (Assumption) suit up for coach Leonard Yelin.

An interesting sidebar will be how Gwen Rucker improves with only volleyball to concentrate on this year. The 6'2" Rucker has split her time between basketball and volleyball the last two seasons and will participate in only the wide net activity in 2010.

Louisville begins the season with a round robin event against NDSU and Ohio. They'll face NDSU at 7 p.m. Friday Night and Ohio at 2 p.m. Sunday...both games in Cardinal Arena. Kentucky hosts the Cards on Sept. 1st and Louisville will also participate in the BIG EAST/BIG TEN CHALLENGE against Purdue and Illinois at Cardinal Arena. BIG EAST begins Saturday, Sept. 25th. with 2 p.m. match against visiting Rutgers. For bonus points...what does NDSU stand for...Northern Delaware Sailor University, North Dakota State University or Nebraska DesMoines Southwest University?

Schedule disparity is another question involving the young Cardinal team. Although they have a home stretch of games lasting nearly a month in October...they'll finish the regular season with five straight road appearances in the first two weeks of November. By then, hopefully...the team will have jelled and they'll be ready for the BIG EAST tournament in Pittsburgh that begins on November 19th.

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The Atlanta Dream waved goodbye to a late 4th quarter lead and lost to the visiting Chicago Sky 84-79 in Atlanta last night. Once again, a former Rutgers player did the most significant damage...as Epiphany Prince laid eight 4th quarter points on Angel and company. Although the Dream have clinched a playoff berth, the 3rd loss at home to Chicago has to be a point of
concern to the Dream and head coach Marynell Meadows. 'Big Syl'...Sylvia Fowles held doom the Dream also with a game high 18 points for the Sky

At times it looked like the 2nd string for Atlanta seemed to be the best option on the court. When Angel and the rest of the starters retook the hardwood with around 4 minutes to go...Atlanta enjoyed a four point lead. They ended up losing by five. McCoughtry couldn't find the mark on several shot attempts late in the game that could have drawn the Dream closer and they fall to a season record of 19-14...2 1/2 games out of first place with just one game remaining in the regular season. New York defeated Indiana to draw within 1/2 game of the Division lead and Washington handled San Antonio to remain in third place in the East. Angel had 16 points for Atlanta.

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Ballard won a close one against Assumption in the Apple field hockey quarterfinals at Sacred Heart and advanced to the semifinals with Kentucky Country Day...who sent Manual packing with a 3-1 victory. A consolation match saw Presentation romp Christian Academy 7-1.

Sacred Heart and Male are the other two teams to advance to the semifinals. Mercy Academy easily won 9-0 against Holy Cross in the consolation bracket on Monday.

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Finally, to answer the e-mail question from Tommy B....No, Jeff Walz was not an assistant on Tom Collen's staff when Collen coached the Cards. Walz came to Louisville from Maryland...where he was an assistant. Walz did play his high school and college ball in Kentucky, though and his sister Donna is one of the all-time leading scorers in Kentucky High School basketball.

McCurty transfers for senior year

In the Tuesday edition of Cardinal Couple:

-Louisville commit Quaneisha McCurty headed to Dalton

-Will Dream finish strong? (No, not Charlie...)

-Who will come calling?

CARDINAL COUPLE has learned that class of 2011 commit Quaneisha McCurty will transfer from Northwest Whitfield (GA) to Dalton (GA) for her senior year of high school. Under Georgia High School Association rules, any student who makes a legitimate move from one school district to another is immediately eligible to participate in varsity sports.

McCurty and family have moved, according to Dalton head basketball coach Jeff McKinney.

McCurty averaged 12.3 points and grabbed 7.1 rebounds a game for Northwest last year and the Lady Bruins made it to the Class 4A state championship game...losing to Southwest DeKalb.

She was named The Daily Citizen's 2009 All-Area Player of the Year as a sophomore and scored 13.9 points a game. She also played volleyball at Northwest and was selected to the all-area team as a middle hitter..with 169 kills and 52 blocks.

For Dalton, the transfer news is exciting. According to McKinney, the team hasn't had anyone over 5'10" on the team in the last two years.

The 6'6" post player is expected to join the Cards on campus in the fall of 2011. She has been described as 'a game changer in the middle...a shot rejection machine and dangerous scorer under the basket.'

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The Atlanta Dream has two games remaining in the regular season of the WNBA and although they have clinched a berth in the playoffs...the Dream is looking to get back on a win streak before playoff time arrives. They dismantled Chicago on the road over the weekend and hosts the Sky against this evening. They end the season with a visit from Washington.

Angel McCoughtry has been one of the key catalysts for the Dream this year...a role she inherited when WNBA standout Chamique Holdsclaw requested a trade from the Dream to San Antonio during the preseason. Despite injuries and an exhausting road schedule, Angel and Atlanta will finish no worse than fourth in the Eastern Conference...after leading going into the All-Star break.

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One of Angel's UofL teammates is headed to Europe for a second season of basketball. Candyce Bingham will play in Luxemborg during 2010 European league basketball. Former Cardinal center Jazz Covington is also playing overseas.

The travesty is that European league hoops for the ladies pays much better than our own WNBA. Without quoting any exact figures, know that Covington made about the salary of a middle manager at UPS last year...McCoughtry probably higher. Bingham will fare well also. The women's game is increasing each year in popularity here in the United States...but the salary and playing potential is nowhere near what the girls can make overseas.

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CARDINAL COUPLE has learned that Louisville women's basketball is trying to get several prized recruits to visit over the UofL vs. UK football weekend (Sept. 4th.). We can't confirm yet who will be paying the campus a visit...but we're fairly certain that several of the potential guests have seen Cardinal Arena, the SAC and the Yum Center facility on campus earlier this summer.

Johnson shoots from the hip

What will the Lady Cards get out of senior guard LaToya Johnson this year? The answer to that question all depends on how her hip has recovered from last year's injury. Johnson is a shooter and if you've ever shot a basketball...you know how important the hips are in the squaring, jumping and balance of the jump shot.

We've only seen a brief bit of Johnson in a Cardinal uniform and can only go on her career at Jefferson Community College (MO) stats...but she has the potential to add depth and scoring punch to the Cards back court if her game is there for the 2010-11 season. Johnson played with Danielle Adams at Jefferson...a recruit the Cards wanted badly a couple of seasons ago. Adams ended up at Texas A&M...where she helped lead the Aggies to the conference tournament title...defeating Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game.

PROGNOSIS: LaToya could be a valuable contributor to Louisville's back court in 2010-11. She has experience, skills and has the benefit of being in Walz's system for a year. The packed Cardinal backcourt has no lack of talent and ability...Johnson's fate in it will ultimately depend on how well she has rehabbed and how she fares in the preseason practices. We can see her as a valuable contributor off the bench.

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We like the idea of the alumnae vs. roster preseason scrimmages that Pam Bustin's Louisville Field Hockey team holds each year. It got us to thinking if we could ever see a similar format for UofL women's basketball. How great would it be to see Angel, Candyce Bingham, Patrika Barlow, Sara Nord and Jazz Covington go up against Becky Burke, Monique Reid and the rest of the current crop of Lady Cards? Seeing Connie Neal take Shoni Schimmel off the dribble and bury a three? Seeing Tise Wright battle Keisha Hines under the boards? Kristen Mattox Cox head fake Antonita Slaughter and pull up for the mid range jumper?

We're not sure if the NCAA allows this type of event for hoops...but it's an idea that we'd love to see come to fruition. And, how exciting would it be to see a UConn alumnae vs. roster scrimmage? Half the WNBA would be on the court...and which squad would Geno coach?

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Congratulations to Amelia Newby for winning this week's PANERA gift cards. She shared with us that:

"I like the easy accessibility of the PANERA in Clarksville. I visit a elderly friend who lives near that location and I can drive up, order both of us a healthy meal and never leave my car. I wish they would make a few more drive-thru locations and put a store out where I live. I'd be their biggest customer."

Only three weeks left to win PANERA gift cards. Just drop us a line telling us why you go to PANERA. You can send your e-mail to us at:

cardinalcouple@insightbb.com

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A little off topic here....but over 7000 fans showed up for the Sunday Meet and Greet for the UofL football team at the Brown and Williamson Club in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Fans swarmed the autograph tables and were delighted by the view from the southside terrace deck.

Although CARDINAL COUPLE wasn't able to attend the event...our buddies over at CARDINAL DOMINANCE and UOFL CARD GAME were there in full force and they've got great articles and pics over at their respective sites. CARDINAL COUPLE reader Cary Davis was there also and told us in a e-mail:

"It is a great tribute to the fervor of the Cardinal fans. The so-called 'experts' aren't giving UofL much of a chance in football this season and look at how many turned out! Charlie Strong has re-energized the program. My son and I got a lot of autographs, got to talk to several of the coaches and marvelled at what a difference one year can make. GO CARDS!"

Couldn't agree more, Cary. Are you ready for some football?

Saturday in Cardinal Park

Saturday night at Cardinal Park featured both the women's field hockey and soccer teams in exhibition action. Haley Jurich (pictured to the right) had 3 goals in the 8-1 win for Pam Bustin's squad against the alumnae. Caitlin Rehder (pictured to the left) scored the UofL women's soccer teams' only goal in a 2-1 loss to Tennessee.

The field hockey Cards scored 4 goals in each half in a highly competitive game against the alumnae. Nicole Youman added 2 scores for Louisville. Over 40 alumnae turned out for the event. Field hockey continues the preseason schedule next Saturday...with a 1 p.m. scrimmage at Trager Field against Kent State.

On the soccer field, Louisville rallied back from a 2-0 deficit to get within 1 against the Vols and had several late scoring chances but couldn't find the net.

Louisville head coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes take on the exhibition:

"Obviously, you never like to lose and this game exposed some weaknesses where we must get better, but we're certainly an improved team. I liked out heart as the game moved forward and we're absolutely moving in the right direction."

The Louisville women's soccer season gets its official start Friday, August 20th at 7 p.m. when the Cards host Eastern Kentucky.

(Thanks to UofL Sports.com for the photos and recap)

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The Atlanta Dream ended a four game losing streak and clinched a WNBA playoff berth with a dominating 98-74 win over the Chicago Sky yesterday in the Windy City. This one was over at the half...as Atlanta outscored the Sky 31-11 in the second quarter and took a 57-32 lead into the locker room.

Five Dream players hit for double figures in the contest. Erika DeSouza led the way with 17 points. Iziane Castro Maquez added 15, Angel Mccoughtry 13 and Alison Bales and Armintie Price with 10 each. The Dream hosts Chicago and Washington to end the regular season next week.

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Big fun at the CARDINAL DOMINANCE pre-season tailgate party yesterday. Over 40 people showed up to engage in conversation, delicious food and games. Despite the heavy rainfall that roared thru the Louisville area around 5 p.m., the attendees were still able to enjoy a deluxe cookout...with Cardinal Dominance founder Shannon Ruffra and your own Paul Sykes manning the grill and several hours of fun bean bag (cornhole) tossing.

Paul and Eddie won the championship division of the cornhole event, upsetting the highly favored Shannon and party host Terry Jackson. Terry's posted some great photos and video of the gala affair over at:

www.cardinaldominance.ning.com

Yeah, I'm the guy in the Jim Beam t-shirt and the lovely and talented Sonja thrilled the crowd by ripping her shorts wide open early in the afternoon when attempting to climb a fence. (don't ask...). It was a great time and we got to meet a bunch of knowledgeable and fun Cardinal Football fans. A special thanks to "Ter" who hosted the event and all those who braved the weather and showed up.

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Manual High School won the Gold Division of the Chase Marketing/Shively Sporting Goods Jefferson County Public Schools Volleyball Championships with over Eastern 25-18, 27-29, 25-14. Mechael Guess led the Crimsons with 14 kills.

In the Silver Division, Fern Creek swept Seneca in the the match 25-16, 25-21. Moore took the honors in the Bronze Division...besting Central 25-22, 25-21.

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Nice work from BIG TALL PAUL in the 8th race at Ellis Park yesterday...wiring the field to win at odds of 11-1. He covered the one mile turf in 1:38.19 and set up a sweet exacta for $624.60 on the $2 payout.

Catching up on the Cards

In Saturday's CARDINAL COUPLE, we catch up on current events concerning women's' sports activities on campus. Captain Picard, pictured here, is obviously quite excited about the upcoming soccer and field hockey. Also, a tough loss for the Atlanta Dream and big win for trainer Paul McGee!

Two Cardinal events taking place this evening down on the Belknap Campus. Women's soccer in an exhibition match against Tennessee at 7 p.m. at Cardinal Park. A free soccer clinic from 5-6 p.m. for boys and girls ages 5 to 13.

Louisville returns nine starters from the 2009 team, plus an exciting group of freshmen that will challenge for playing time. Not to be outdone, the Vols have ten starters back from a 2009 squad that went 8-9-3 overall last year. The regular season begins Friday, August 20th against Eastern Kentucky at Cardinal Park.

Also tonight, the annual field hockey alumnae vs. current players game will be held at Trager Stadium at 7 p.m. Pam Bustin expects around 40 former Cardinal field hockey stars to show up for the event against the current Cards. Louisville looks loaded for the 2010 season, with nine starters and 15 letterwinners returning. Tuli Yim, Nicole Youman and Hayley Turner have been named for the 2010 All-BIG EAST preseason team and seniors Jenna Ahern, Simone Attles, Nikki Auker, Rachel Hollenbach, and Karah Nall will make the Cards a tough opponent this year. Bustin's squad will also host Kent State in another preseason match on Saturday, August 21st. at 1 p.m. The Cards are picked to finish 3rd in the BIG EAST preseason poll, behind Syracuse and Connecticut.

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UofL golfer Sara-Maude Juneau fared well in the U.S. Women's Amateur tournament, held at the Charlotte (NC) Country Club. Juneau made it to the round of 16 before bowing out to fellow Canadian Jennifer Kiby. Juneau also fired a 143 in the stroke play part of the tournament...good for 8th place.

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We told you about Paul McGee's three year old filly MYHEART'SRESERVED in yesterday's column and she romped the field yesterday in the Ellis Park 1st race...winning by an easy 8 lengths. Although TWILIGHT BAY, another runner we were high on didn't win in the 2nd...we got a late tip on DUAL FORECAST in the 2nd at Ellis and Jamie Theriot guided that one to a close win over TWILIGHT BAY.

McGee's horse rated off the early speed and found another gear when the runners hit the stretch. She could have stopped for a soda and hot dog and still won this one.

A good day out at Churchill simulcasting...watching Ellis Park, Saratoga, Arlington and Del Mar. Always nice to walk out of there with considerably more than you went in with.

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Tough loss last night for Angel and the Atlanta Dream..falling to New York 90-83. McCoughtry led the Dream (18-13) with 22 points and Erika DeSouza added 21. They had no answer for Cappie Poindexter, though...the former Rutgers star lit up home standing Atlanta for 31. The Dream fell to 4th place in the Eastern Conference, 2 1/2 games back of Indiana...New York climbed up to 2nd place...1 1/2 back in the topsy turvy East.

It doesn't get any easier for the Dream, they travel to Chicago tonight to take on the Sky. Three games left in the regular season. After Saturday, they host Chicago and then Washington to finish the season.

Showtime, girls.

Cardinal Volleyball picked 2nd in BIG EAST

FRIDAY'S CARDINAL COUPLE LOOKS AT:

Louisville Volleyball: A repeat happening?
Local high school sports: A busy weekend!
A fly in UConn's ointment?
A brief word with someone "in the know"

(Just a reminder...today is Friday the 13th. If you are a believer in trypanophobia...take care out there today.)

Leonard Yelin's University of Louisville women's volleyball team won the BIG EAST tournament last year and went to the NCAA Tournament. That success made an impression on the league coaches...as the Cards are picked to finish second behind Cincinnati in the preseason coaches poll.

The Bearcats received all but one vote to finish first...and since coaches couldn't vote for their own team...it looks like the Bearcats are the prohibitive favorite for the conference title. Louisville garnered second place honors...followed by Notre Dame and Marquette.

Cards' sophomore outside hitter Lola Arslanbekova was selected for the preseason All BIG EAST
team unanimously.

Louisville defeated the Bearcats in the BIG EAST tournament last year here in Louisville.

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A busy weekend for high school girls sports here in Louisville. The Shively Sporting Goods/Chase Marketing Jefferson County Public Schools Volleyball Championships will be held Friday and Saturday at the Basketball Academy. 19 area high schools will participate...including four top 25 teams...#11 DuPont Manual, #14 Eastern, #15 Butler and #24 Male.

Manual has won the event the last three years. It might be considered a rebuilding year for them since they lost three top seniors to graduation. Expected to lead the Crimson are senior Mechael Guess and sophomore Maya McClendon.

In the preseason poll, Louisville Catholic schools hold the top three ranking...#1 Mercy, #2 Sacred Heart and #3 Assumption.

The Apple Tournament for high school girls field hockey kicks off Saturday. All action will take place at Sacred Heart. The home standing Valkyries have won the Apple six years in a row.
Also participating is Assumption...last year's state champions. Mercy, Eastern, Butler, Collegiate, Presentation, Manual, KCD, Holy Cross, Christian Academy and Male round out the field of 12.

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News out of Connecticut that starting UConn womens' basketball guard Caroline Doty is out for the season with a torn ACL in her left knee. The junior is scheduled for surgery in the next week or so. UConn has won their last 78 games...but with Tina Charles graduated and Doty on the shelf...the Huskies suddenly look vulnerable. How much game have you got, Maya Moore?

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Our "person in the know" down at Ellis Park tells us that MYHEART'SRESERVED is a lock in the first race today at the Henderson, KY track. We love hearing good news about our favorite trainer Paul McGee's horses...and lights out apprentice jockey Orlandi Rossi is on board for the ride. We're also hearing great things about TWILIGHT BOY in the 2nd race at Ellis. Daily Double, anyone?

The track with the soybeans in the infield continues to hang in there, despite racing only three days a week. Ellis manages to offer high purses for claiming, maiden special weight and allowance races despite not having the financial windfall of casino money. Track owner Ron Geary continues to defy the trends and odds by making Ellis a viable summer racing option for horses and trainers who ran at Churchill's Spring Meet.

Congratulations go out to our buddies Richard and Patricia Lenihan, part owners of SEA ROAD. The 3 year old filly beat the competition Saturday at Saratoga in the $70,000 Hattie Moseley States...and paid a sweet $25.00 to win as a 12-1 longshot. Rich and Patty were in attendance for the race and both looked good in the winner's circle for the presentation. Seeing Rich in a three piece black suit seemed a little weird, though. I prefer to remember him in a t-shirt and shorts, struggling vainly to keep up with me in high school cross country. Rich is one of the good guys in horse racing...and a fervent supporter of saving racing-finished thoroughbreds from mistreatment and slaughter. Keep it up, buddy...and I bet I could still beat you on the two mile course at Seneca Park. (Walking...not running.)

Byrd ready to fly again for Lady Cards?

THURSDAY'S CARDINAL COUPLE


-Will Dez Byrd fly high for UofL this season?

-Cardinal soccer ready to take to the grass

-Fern Creek in the Babe Ruth Girls 16U World Series

-Lady Kats lose two.



She was the point guard on the 2009 Final Four team and the emotional and vocal leader of the group that went to St. Louis. She also possesses a good mid range jumper and can take it to the hoop. The question on many UofL womens' basketball fans minds, though...is whether she has recovered from the leg injury that sidelined her after only 6 games in the 2009-2010 season.

If healthy and ready to go, Dez Byrd gives Jeff Walz's basketball team an experienced and determined leader at point guard. A player not afraid of mixing it up on the court or making the difficult pass. Byrd made the difficult choice a couple of years ago to switch from shooting guard to the point because of the needs of the team. It paid huge dividends for her and the Lady Cards in that magical 2008-2009 season. Byrd presented a major problem to opponents who faced the Cards...leave her alone and she'd take it to the hoop or pop the mid-range jumper. Concentrate on stopping her and she'd find McCoughtry, Bingham or Hines for an easy two. Who knows how close the Cards would have gotten to beating UConn in the final game of the tournament with a fully healthy Byrd directing from the point?

Fast forward to the 2009-2010 season. Byrd, still hobbled by the injury, appears in only six games for the Cards before going out on a medical redshirt. She averaged 8 points a game but it was very noticeable that she hadn't fully recovered from the off season surgery and rehab. Without her at the point, Louisville dropped to a 14-18 record and despite her encouragement and participation from the bench...could never really establish a productive or efficient point guard.

Byrd has finely developed skills and could be the catalyst and floor leader for this flock of Cardinal this year provided she's healed and in shape. We'll know soon enough and here's hoping that she makes it back to the hardwood and picks up where she left off.

PROGNOSIS: Dez Byrd is a floor leader, something that the Lady Cards lacked last year after she went out with the injury. She'll be a great point guard and contribute with scoring, passing and defense if she's ready to go. Some cause for worry that we haven't heard too much about her in the voluntary summer workouts on campus...but we're predicting that if she has recovered from her injury, she'll nail down the starting point guard slot.


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Fern Creek's 16U Girls softball team was eliminated from the Babe Ruth 16U World Series last night by Luzerne County 5-1. The Creekers won their first game of the evening by romping Lodi 12-4 but couldn't find the bats in the nightcap against the Chaos.

Luzerne County scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth to break open a 1-1 tie. Sarah Bertoni pitched a 4 hit complete game for the Chaos...striking out seven. They move on to the finals, where they will have to beat Henderson, NC twice to take the title. Luzerne County made the finals in last year's tournament also.

Still, a good effort by the Fern Creekers, a squad made up of local high school softballers from the Jefferson County area. Tim McGinty did a great job of getting this prime time squad together and now...a few days rest for the sluggers before returning to school.

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UK point guard Amber Smith could be done for the upcoming season after tearing her left ACL during a pickup game. The senior started all 36 games for UK last year, averaging 9.2 points and dishing out 4.4 assists.

Anna Cole, a 6'7" sophomore center has decided to transfer, citing a desire to play at a school closer to her hometown of Mondovi, WI. Cole, hampered by stress fractures in her right foot, played in only nine games for UK last year, averaging 1 point a game.

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Big things coming up for UofL women's soccer this weekend. Friday brings the Kickoff Dinner at the Hyatt Regency hotel, with guest speaker Brandi Chastain. Chastain was an Olympic goal medalist and was also on the 1999 World Cup team. Tickets are $35 for adults and $25 for the kids and can be purchased by calling (502)852-0101. Chastain will sign autographs, there will be a silent auction and attendees will get to play soccer in the hallways and grand ballroom of the Hyatt (just kidding on the last one.)

Chastain may be best remembered for ripping off her jersey and running around the field in just her sports bra after a U.S. victory in the 1999 World Cup. A repeat of the controversy this Friday night isn't likely...but it would no doubt increase attendance. Don't try this at schools, kids.

On Saturday, the Cards host Tennessee in an exhibition game at Cardinal Park. Admission is free and there will be a clinic (also free) from 5-6 p.m. game time is 7 p.m.

We've posted up articles about the men's soccer team over at UofL Card Game and Cardinal Dominance. The guys are ranked as high as 20th in the nation and picked to finish second in the BIG EAST. Check them out at http://www.cardinaldominance.ning.com/ or http://www.uolfcardgame.com/

Trunk Monkey Compilation

Don't we all wish we had one of these from time to time?

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.

Happy Birthday, C.B,

Tuesday's CARDINAL COUPLE presents:
-A Happy Birthday to #13 Candyce Bingham
-Fern Creek in the Softball World Series
-Commentary on the NCAA

Happy Birthday wishes to former Cardinal women's' basketball great Candyce Bingham. We share with you our memories on one of our favorite Lady Cards games of all times and Bingham's role in it.

We take you back to March 9th, 2008. The University of Louisville women's' basketball team has advanced to the quarterfinals of the BIG EAST Tournament but has dangerous Rutgers to face off against. It is a late Sunday afternoon and several of us have gathered to watch the game at a local establishment. We're wishing we were in Hartford watching the event live...but happy the Cards have advanced this far.

Rutgers is to be feared. The defending BIG EAST tournament champions. Piph Prince, Matee Ajavon and Kia Vaughn. C Viv Springer coaching. 24-5 on the season and seemingly headed to a Tuesday Night final game against UConn.

The Cardinals, though..had different plans. Hanging tough against the Scarlet Knights. Rebounding well and if only Angel was shooting better...this could be a win.

It comes down to less than a minute to go and Rutgers...with just eight players suited up...is clinging to a 56-55 lead. No one at our table of six is sitting down anymore. We've even got the people at the bar, many dressed in UK blue, cheering for Walz and the Cards. The clock is nearing 30 seconds to go...and then it happens.

McCoughtry is working the ball toward the basket. Everyone is expecting her to take the potential go-ahead shot and she's double teamed. A third Rutgers defender switches over to stop her and McCoughtry soars into the air, we hold our breath and instead of shooting, she spots a wide open Bingham near the basket and dumps a pass to her. Bingham makes the layup.

57-56 UofL. I hug everyone around me, including the startled waitress. There is no more scoring in the frantic half minute that remains. CARDS WIN! CARDS WIN! A stunned Kia Vaughn stands on the court, hands on hips in disbelief and then quickly walks to the locker room. Piph Prince later recalls that she can't even recall what happened, she just knew the game was over.

Bingham has a clear and bright memory of it, though:

"She (Angel) had three people on her and she saw me under the basket to put it in. They were getting confused because Angel was coming off screens. I was able to break free and she was able to find me."

Happy Birthday, Candyce. And, thanks for making the shot heard around the world.

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The Fern Creek 16U softball team lost their first game yesterday in the double elimination World Series tournament in Varina, VA. to Henderson/Vance NC. by the score of 3-2. The Creekers had received a first round bye after going 4-0 in tournament pool play. They'll take on Herndon, VA in the loser's bracket today.

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Word circulating around that the women's NCAA college basketball tournament is seriously considering expanding the format to include more teams. We here at CARDINAL COUPLE are against it. The 64 team format works and there hasn't been a team reach the Final Four from the #9 thru #16 seeds in the Regions since Alexander Franklin flew a kite and ran into a electrical disturbance.

You know what's behind it...money. A few more chances to draw WBB fans out of Hooterville and Bugtussle to watch the directionally challenged state school lose by thirty to UConn or Stanford.

"Despite 13 points by Holly Halfcourt, the Raccoons of Northeastern Southwest State fell to Rutgers 88-31 in the first round of the NCAA."

OK. Like we need that nonsense. The tournament works with 64 teams. Not 68, 96 or 128. Don't mess with something that isn't broken. Another case of the NCAA seeing an postseason offshoot (like last years WBI Invitational) and getting greedy. Hey, gurus...it wasn't all that. Only 500 people (a generous estimate) to watch Louisville play Bradley in the first round of the event last year in Freedom Hall. You want to do something constructive and helpful? Schedule more first and second round games where highly seeded teams don't have to travel 12 hours to play. (Yes, I'm still peeved about Louisville getting shipped off to Baton Rouge in 2009 when WKU and Bowling Green were 90 minutes away.)