WE remember 911....Volleyball wind Bobcat Classic with wins over Virginia & Marshall

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SUNDAY @ CARDINAL COUPLE

-WE remember 9/11/01

-Volleyball takes Bobcat Classic

WE take a few paragraphs today on this 10th. anniversary of the 9/11 attacks to reflect on the tragic day and remember.

Paul had arrived at one of his customer's offices and walked into a room of people standing around one of those small 12-inch televisions. (remember those?) He watched in shock and disbelief the smoldering World Trade Center building...and then the next attack on the twin towers.

The rest of the day went by in kind of a surreal state as he went about his business but the topic of conversation certainly wasn't about business.

Sonja was just getting ready to go to work...watching television and enjoying a final cup of coffee when they cut away from the talk show she was viewing with a special announcement.
She got a late start on her duties that day...not leaving until almost 11 a.m.

David Watson had just arrived at a customer's house to do a claim report on a client's automobile. The lady, in tears, told him what had just happened, invited him in and they watched the horrific scene continue to unfold from her couch.

Where were you and what were you doing when 9/11 unfolded? Feel free to share with us in the comments section at the end of today's column or you can e-mail us at cardinalcouple@insightbb.com . WE'LL run a special column over on the left side of the site about your recollections...feel free to report anonymously if you wish.

Let us never forget and always honor those who died innocently and in service.

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Louisville volleyball took two matches yesterday in the Baymont Bobcat Classic in Athens, OH.

The morning session had the Cards matched up against ACC power Virginia.  How do you spell win? How about L..O...L..A? Ms. Arslanbekova had 17 kills in the 4 game triumph for the Cardinals. Make it 25-16, 21-25, 25-23 and 25-18.

"It was a huge win for us because Virginia is a strong ACC team and the biggest team we've faced so far." Cardinal skipper Anne Kordes commented after the win. "We relied on defense and I thought Maci Wacthel came in and did a great job for us on the back row. This was also two solid back-to-back matches for Kaitlynn James. Good to see Lola get a double-double for us with kills and digs."


The Cards held a 63-50 advantage in kills and outhit the Cavs .254 to .174

In the evening match, Lola led the way again with 18 kills and Louisville swept Marshall 25-18, 25-19 and 26-24.

"This was a great weekend to bounce back from the loss to Kentucky on Wednesday." Kordes said after the win. "Emily Juhl did a fantastic job and setter Taylor Brauneis made some phenomenal decisions at some key times. Caitlin Welch kept us system and made it easier. Lola Arslanbekova gets to a spot where she cannot be stopped."

Arslanbekova was selected as the MVP of the tournament and was joined on the All-Tournament team by Emily Juhl and Caitlin Welch.
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Volleyball downs Ohio...Field Hockey shuts out Missouri State...Women's Soccer falls to UK

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CARDINAL COUPLE SATURDAY

-Volley Cards take 3-1 win over Ohio.

-Field Hockey tames the Bears 4-0

-Cats blank women's Soccer Cards 2-0

-Latest news on Rachel Story

Even though they lost the first game Friday against Ohio, the University of Louisville Volleyball team didn't give up the fight and swept the final three games against the Bobcats to take the match by scores of 23-25, 25-15, 25-22 and 25-19.

Lola Arslanbekova rebounded from her poor effort at Kentucky with 18 kills and Taylor "Brown Eyes" Brauneis contributed 26 assists and 12 digs. Kaitlynn James had a big night as well, with five blocks.

The Cards led early in the first game at 6-3..but Ohio rallied to tie the contest 9-9 and then took a lead they'd never relinquish. Louisville had no such problems with the lead evaporating in the second game, leading by as many as 11 before taking the contest 25-15. Game three saw the Cards fall behind early but fight back to tie the contest at 18-18 and going on a 7-4 run to win the game.
Louisville roared out to a 14-8 lead in the final game and held off a late Ohio rally by taking five of the game's seven points.

The Cards play two Saturday, Marshall at 11 a.m. and a very good Virginia team at 7:30 p.m.

fieldhockeyfieldhockeyfieldhockeyfieldhockeyfieldhockeyfieldhockeyfieldhockeyfieldhockeyfieldhockeyfieldhockeyfieldh



Four different players scored in the Louisville Field Hockey 4-0 win over the Missouri State Bears yesterday in Trager Stadium. Caitlin Collins struck first

with a penalty shot just four minutes into the game. Freshman Mallory Mason was next on the board with her first career goal and the Cards took a 2-0 lead into the halftime break.

The Cards continued the offensive domination in the second half when Hayley Turner fired one into the net from the top of the circle off a pass from Kelsey Rosenmeier for her team leading fifth goal of the year. The Cards closed out the scoring when Jacque Gerrick took a Turner pass and slid one past the Bears goalkeeper to make it 4-0.

Erin Conrad got her first shutout of the season at goalkeeper and the Cards outshot the Bears 18-3.

soccersoccersoccersoccerdoccersoccersoccersoccersoccersoccersoccersoccersoccersoccersoccersoccersoccersoccersoccer

Karen Ferguson-Dayes women's soccer team put up a good fight but once again couldn't find the net in a 2-0 loss to UK in Lexington. The Cats scored a goal in each half and out shot Louisville 18-12.

"It was a tough loss tonight because we continue to grow as a team in many ways, but we're not taking care of the little details that make the difference between winning and losing." Ferguson-Dayes commented after the loss.

Little details...like scoring. The Cards (1-4-1) have managed only two goals in their last five games and have been shutout in their last three contest. Hopefully, redemption comes Sunday against Butler in their final game in the Tropical Smoothie Invitational at the UK Soccer Complex.

storystorystorystorystorystorystorystorystorystorystorystorystorystorystorystorystorystorystorystorystorystorystorystory

Finally, news reaches us that Rachel Story, a reserve guard for the University of Louisville women's basketball team who left the squad at the end of last year, has resurfaced at University of Illinois at Chicago. She'll sit a year at UIC and have two years of eligibility after that. 

The Milwaukee, WI point guard got buried last year with the depth of the Cardinal guards and we hope she's landed at a place where she can get some playing time. From the BIG EAST to the Horizon league...not exactly an upgrade but her on court appearances should increase dramatically if she can weather the transfer year of inactivity.

(Thanks to Kenny for the scoop!)

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More on Megan Deines...busy weekend for UofL women's sports

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FRIDAY @ CARDINAL COUPLE

Welcome to the weekend...we're glad you made it!

-Deines "fell in love with Louisville"

-From Pat...

-Field Hockey faces Missouri State

-Volleyball to Ohio

-Women's Soccer travels to Lexington to face Cats...#1 Men's soccer hosts IUPUI

CARDINAL COUPLE got the link to this great article about 2012 WBB verbal Megan Deines and had to share it with you, our readers...

Glendale senior Megan Deines knew. After her visit to Louisville on August 26th, she was scheduled for several more trips...beginning the following weekend.

"The next weekend I was supposed to leave for Nebraska. My parents asked me what I wanted to do and I knew exactly where I wanted to go, so there was no need for me to go on my next four official visits." she told KSPR reporter Mike Scott.

Deines (left) goes into her senior season as
an All-State selection from last year.

Those visits included planned trips to Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Missouri and Kansas State. Deines, who goes by part of her middle name "Lucie", also visited Drury.

Louisville came in late on the recruiting process, but Deines said she knew it was the place for her.

"I fell in love with everything there, the coaches, players, facilities and the program that they have really put the cherry on top." Megan revealed.

Deines was a Class 5, 1st team, All-State selection as a junior and was also named Ozark Conference Player of the Year, averaging 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game for the 10th ranked Lady Falcons. She has started each of her first three seasons at Glendale.

Lucie actually grew up in France where her father Jim played professional basketball for 2 decades. She will officially sign her letter of intent during the November signing period. 

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When WE heard about Tennessee women's basketball head coach Pat Summitt's disclosure of her early onset dementia, WE dropped her a line to let her know we were in her corner. Both of Paul's parents experienced the same and WE know how life can be when it strikes. A few days ago, we were surprised to receive this letter back from Pat.

No matter what jersey we wear, team name we yell or colors we wave...I think it's safe to say that we all are Lady Vols this season...and for as long as Pat continues to coach.

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Louisville Field Hockey faces two foes this weekend...Missouri State in town for a Friday afternoon battle at the Trager that begins at 3 p.m. The Bears are 1-2 on the year, with losses to Indiana and St. Louis. Louisville comes into the contest 2-2 after splitting their North Carolina trip with a win over Davidson and overtime loss to Wake Forest. As we mentioned in an earlier article this week, if you are headed down to Papa John's Stadium to catch the football Cards play FIU tonight...why not go a little earlier and catch some exciting field hockey action? The "Flock" will also host Appalachian State Sunday at 3 p.m. Sweep the weekend, ladies!

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Volleyball takes to the Interstate again after an almost inexplicable loss to UK on Wednesday. We have no doubts, though...that Anne Kordes will get the wide netters fired back up and they'll do well in their first match of the Bobcat Classic against Ohio today.

They'll also face Virginia and Marshall on Saturday.

Hopefully the Cards will hold up OK during the matches...the roster at a less than full capacity with just nine players and both Taylor Brauneis and Kaitlynn James nursing nagging injuries. Doubtful that they'll face anyone else this year that is in the class of Kentucky...expect for possibly Tennessee...so let's get those wins chalked up and show why you're the #1 ranked team in the BIG EAST! 



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Women's soccer hits the road also...travelling to Lexington for two games this weekend. They start out with a tough one against Kentucky today. The Cats are 5-0 and coming off wins over Baylor and Central Michigan...two teams that have beaten Louisville this year.
The Cards will also face Butler in Lexington on Sunday. Tough sledding so far this year for Karen Ferguson's squad...but an upset win over Kentucky would cure a lot of woes...

The #1 ranked men's soccer team (2-1) will try to shake off the recent loss to North Carolina in this afternoon's game vs. IUPUI at Cardinal Park 5 p.m. If you're really adventure-seeking, hit Field Hockey today at 3...Men's Soccer at 5 and Football at 7.

And sleep really well tonight...
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Cards fall to Cats in Volleyball...Dream still rolling...

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Cats down Cards in volleyball

-Atlanta beats Sun behind Angel's 35

-Angel loses her shoes

Tough night for the Anne Kordes coached UofL Volleyball team in Lexington Wednesday
evening...as the Wildcats sweep the Cards in straight sets 25-22, 26-24 and 25-11. Not a lot of positive to take out of this one - UK's superior height advantage on the front line kept the Cards at bay on kill attempts...Gwen Rucker leading the way with only 7.

The Cards fell behind early in game one to UK but managed to get a 6-5 lead after a Rucker kill and tie the contest at 15-15 before UK went on a 5-0 run and held on for the 25-22 first game win.

Louisville jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in game two but UK rallied to take a 7-5 advantage. The Cards kept it close the rest of the way....actually regaining the lead at 24-23 and being a point away from securing the second game. UK would have none of it though, and captured the final three points of the contest to take a 26-24 victory and go up 2-0 on UofL.

Despite grabbing a 3-1 advantage in the final contest, UofL could not keep the big Wildcat hitters at bay and saw Kentucky (6-2) tie the contest at 4-4 and then go on a 7-1 run to breeze out to a 11-5 lead. The Cats increased upon that the rest of the way...leading 18-8, 20-10 and capturing five out of the final six points for the lopsided UK win to take game, set and match.

UK's tall front line kept Cardinal stars Lola Arslanbekova and Emily Juhl stifled for most of the night...the Cards managed only 28 kills in the three games...compared to UK's 49....and the Cats recorded 22 blocks, Louisville 8.

The Cards (5-2) head to Ohio next for a Friday evening match against Ohio U. in the Bobcat Classic.

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Atlanta stays on a hot streak...the Dream downed the Connecticut Sun 85-74 Tuesday night behind the 35 point effort of #35 Angel McCoughtry.

"She was superb." Atlanta coach Marynell Meadows said. "When the stakes are high, she's at her best. She's played well against Connecticut. She's shot the ball very well every time we've played them. She's just really a great player." 

With the loss, Connecticut (20-13) dropped a game behind first place Indiana in the WNBA Eastern Division. The Dream (19-14) rest in third place...half a game ahead of fourth place New York. The New York Liberty will have a lot to say about the final standings in the East...they host Indiana on Friday and go to Connecticut Sunday. The Dream face Indiana Sunday in Atlanta to close out the regular season. A New York sweep could push them past the Dream...if the Dream loses to Indiana.

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Speaking of the talented Ms. McCoughtry...be sure to check out this cute video linked below of Angel playing a nine year old girl for her shoes in a game of 'HORSE'. The young lady drew the honor of playing Angel when her mother won an auction designed to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness. Thanks to CARDINAL COUPLE reader Jeff for the find... The link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLSMWdWhqq8

(Let's hope Coach Walz doesn't catch this clip....he'll have #35 on the next plane to Louisville practicing shooting drills and running the steps at the KFC YUM! Center.Either that...or he has his first recruit for the class of 2020...)
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Megan Deines to Louisville

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Wednesday CARDINAL COUPLE

-Glendale H.S. star verbals to Louisville

-Volleyball tonight at UK

CARDINAL COUPLE has received confirmation from several sources that Springfield, MO. senior Megan "Lucie" Deines is the newest verbal to the 2012 University of Louisville women's basketball team.  

The 6'1" guard was on the Missouri All-State 1st team and All-Ozark 1st team her junior season at Glendale High School in Springfield, MO. for Renee Temple. She also played for Missouri Flight AAU in 2011 where she was coached by her dad, Jim Deines.

WE received this e-mail from Lucie's parents about the verbal:

Hi, Paul

Yes, Megan has verballed to Coach Walz last week after her official visit on August, 26th. She loved everything about the program (players, coaches, staff, facilities, etc.) We are very excited for her to join the big family of the University of Louisville! (Lucie is part of her middle name-Lucie Jane). Have a good day!

-Nathalie and Jim Deines

Deines averaged 20 points a game last year at Glendale with 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game. She's not currently ranked in the Hoopgurlz top 100 recruits for 2012 but is listed at #39 at the point guard position. Kansas State has also shown interest in Deines.

She's described as a taller than average point guard who plays a smart game and distributes the ball well and is a sure-handed ball handler. Passing is above average and isn't constantly looking to score...Defense is aggressive and a solid team player.

College coaches cannot comment on prospective recruits or verbals until a letter of intent has been received.

Deines joins Cortnee Walton as 2012 Cardinal verbals.

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The University of Louisville volleyball team takes on rival Kentucky tonight in women's college volleyball at the spacious Memorial Coliseum.  In case you can't make the journey, the match will be televised live on Fox Sports South (at least here in Kentucky) beginning at 7 p.m. Dick Gabriel and Kathy DeBoer will cover the action. It's a Big Blue Network broadcast, so prepare in advance for the propaganda and "homer-ism" that'll be lauded UK's way.

The Cats come into the in-state war with a 5-2 record. The Cards are 5-1. Both schools recently won tournaments they hosted...UK defeating Western Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia Tech in straight sets.

The Cards will need to keep an eye on Lauren O'Conner, a dangerous outside hitter, and setter Christine Hartmann.

Kentucky has two Louisville Assumption players on their current roster...junior Stephanie Klefot and freshman Jackie Hampton. 

Louisville will count on the strong spiking trio of Lola Arslanbekova, Emily Juhl and Gwen Rucker to score on UK. The teams were involved in an instant classic last year...UK winning in five sets in Memorial Coliseum.

PAUL'S PREDICTION:

Cards start slow but eventually get in a rhythm and force a fifth and deciding game. This year, they win it.
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Arslanbekova, Turner get BIG EAST Player of the Week recognition...Dealing with the grief at FAMU

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TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Lola Arslanbekova named BIG EAST Volleyball Player of the Week

-Hayley Turner named BIG EAST Field Hockey Player of the Week

-FAMU grieves the murder of Shannon Washington

-Another 2012 commit in the works for WBB?

Junior Lola Arslanbekova racked up a couple of honors over the weekend for the University of Louisville Volleyball team...being named MVP of the Crowne Plaza Cardinal Classic and BIG EAST Player of the Week. The Cards went 3-0 in the tournament...downing Wichita State, Mississippi and Eastern Illinois.

Arslanbekova was dominating in the matches...recording 63 kills...and she also set a new, single game personal best with 26 against Wichita State. She is the quickest player to ever reach 1000 career kills in Cardinal history.

The pre-season BIG EAST Player of the Year, Lola has received the prestigious Player of the Week honor three times in her career at UofL. Louisville travels to Lexington Wednesday night to face rival UK in Memorial Coliseum.

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Senior Hayley Turner has been selected as BIG EAST Field Hockey Player of the Week for her weekend efforts for the Cards. Turner scored four goals in two games while in North Carolina...as Louisville defeated Davidson 5-3 and lost to Wake Forest in overtime 3-2.

Turner is a midfielder from Sydney, Australia and currently tied for fifth for Louisville's career goals (38) and points (89) record.

In field hockey, a player gets two points in the statistics line if they score a goal and one point for an assist. Goals are the only points that count in the official scoring of the match, though. Turner has nine points this season...on four goals (8 points) and one assist.

The 16th. ranked Field Hockey Cards return to the friendly confines of Trager Stadium for two matches this week. They'll square off against Missouri State on Friday, Sept. 9th. at 3 p.m. and entertain Appalachian State Sunday, Sept 11th at 2 p.m.

Cardinal fans have a great opportunity to take in a sports double-header on Friday...since the football game against FIU starts at 7 p.m.

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Shock, disbelief and mourning on the Florida A&M campus as the Rattlers and students come to grips with the stabbing and death of Florida A&M women's basketball player Shannon Washington on Sunday morning.

Washington was a shooting guard expected
to start for FAMU.

According to police reports, Starquineshia Palmer has been charged with first degree murder. The two were involved in a domestic relationship and got into an argument early Sunday morning. Palmer stabbed Washington several times in the neck and back around 2 a.m. Washington was rushed to a Tallahassee hospital but died several hours later.

Washington had transferred to FAMU after a highly successful two years at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby, Illinois. While there, she earned National Junior College All-American honors and was expected to become the Rattlers shooting guard this fall.

A memorial service was held Monday for Washington with students and coaches from the school attending. FAMU head coach LeDawn Gibson spoke of Washington's impressive pre-season practice and conditioning drill earlier in the day and that despite just arriving on campus this fall...she had achieved a leadership status among the players and was well-liked.

The University of Louisville women's basketball team will travel to Tallahassee to play FAMU on November 26th....after playing Florida State on the 25th.

OUR hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the Rattlers over this senseless and tragic murder of an up and coming star and WE hope that a swift death penalty will be metered out to this cold-hearted killer.

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No official word...but we're getting indicators here at Cardinal Couple that Jeff Walz may have landed another verbal for 2012. Seems a certain 6'1" combo guard/forward may have caught his eye. We'll do some legwork and let you know. If it's true, he's gotten a verbal out of a highly talented and sought after player who was all All-State her junior year and averaged 20 points a game. More as we get it...

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Field Hockey, Soccer take losses....Dream clinch playoff berth with win over Shock

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HAPPY LABOR DAY TO CARDINAL COUPLE READERS!

Your Monday Report...

-Women's Soccer falls to CMU in overtime.

-Field Hockey drops in overtime to Wake Forest.

-Dream dismantle Shock

The Louisville women's soccer team took the Chppewas to overtime but fell 1-0 when CMU
capitalized on a loose ball to drive to the net and shoot one past goalkeeper Chloe Kiefer.

No such celebration for UofL women's soccer Sunday.

The teams played 90 minutes of scoreless soccer in regulation. Both squads finished with 13 shots, the Cards holding a slight 5-4 edge on shots on goal. Kiefer had three saves in the loss.

Louisville (1-3-1) heads to Lexington, KY. for two next week. They get the Cats on Friday and Butler Sunday.  The Cards placed two players on the 2011 Courtyard by Marriott Louisville Airport Cardinal Classic All-Tournament team - junior defender Courtney Holtz and freshman midfielder Erin Yenney.  UK will be a tough contest...the Cats are 5-0 and defeated Baylor last out.

A disappointing start to this season for a Louisville team that began last season by winning their first seven games. Scoring seems to be the major malfunction with this year's squad - after getting five goals against Eastern Ky. to start the season, they've only managed two scores in the last four outings.

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Sunday brought an overtime loss to Justine Sowry's field hockey unit at # 11 Wake Forest 3-2 in overtime.  Hayley Turner's two goals weren't enough for the # 16 Cards, who fell four minutes into the extra session to the Demon Deacons.

Louisville led the contest 1-0 at halftime but the Demon Deacons out shot the Cards 12-2 in the final half and led 2-1 before Hayley scored the tying goal with less than a minute to go off a pass from freshman Mallory Mason. 

Erin Conrad had six saves in the loss. Louisville (2-2) comes home to face Missouri State on Friday at 3 p.m.

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Atlanta forced the Tulsa Shock into 24 turnovers and got 42 points in the paint to win at home 73-52 over the woeful WNBA Western Division cellar dweller. The Dream overcame a two point deficit at the end of the first quarter to lead by ten at half. Louisville product Angel McCoughtry led all scorers with 19 points - including 10 in the pivotal second quarter.

The Dream continued their hot shooting by going 44.9% from the floor and 50% from three point range. Lindsey Harding and Armintie Price finished with 13 each for Atlanta. They've won ten out of their last thirteen and rest in third place in the Eastern Division.

Yesterday's win assures Atlanta of a playoff berth. They'll finish the regular season hosting Connecticut on Tuesday and at Indiana on Sunday.
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Enjoy your Labor Day! A special thanks to David Watson for filling in Sunday. Time to roll out the smoker and start those Italian sausages and ribs, gang!!!
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LOUISVILLE VOLLEYBALL SWEEPS DOUBLEHEADER...FIELD HOCKEY WINS...WBB RANKED #7

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SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Volleyball downs Eastern Illinois & Wichita State

-Field Hockey beats Davidson

-Women's Basketball ranked #7

Good Sunday morning, Cardinal Couple readers! David Watson here. I'll be manning the laptop for the next two days while Paul and Sonja enjoy the Labor Day weekend. Paul wanted me to make sure and report on volleyball and field hockey today and he also forwarded me a questionable article on the pre-season top 10 women's basketball rankings by College Sports Madness.

So, let's get to it!

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Volleyball dominates Cardinal Crowne Plaza Classic

The skills of Lola Arslanbekova should be abudently evident to any UofL Volleyball fan. She put out a reminder to anyone who had any doubts yesterday in Cardinal Arena. UofL swept Eastern Illinois 25-12, 25-17 and 25-15 in the first of two matches yesterday and then disposed of Wichita State 25-20, 21-25, 25-17 and 25-16.

Arslanbeckova had 44 kills against the two Cardinal opponents. Both her and Brooke Mattingly were selected to the all-tournament team. With the sweep the Cards are now 5-1 on the season and they'll take I-64 to Lexington Wednesday to face arch-rival UK at 7 p.m.

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Field Hockey rips Davidson 5-3

The Cards got a big effort from Hayley Turner Saturday afternoon with two scores and used a strong second half to oust the Wildcats by two at Davidson. Haley Jurich, Erin Schneidtmiller and Kaitlyn Soucy added goals for the Cards.

Louisville led 2-1 at halftime, despite being outshot by the Wildcats 9-8.

Turner's two goals came in the final half. She got penalty goal assists from Mallory Mason and Heather Stevens to give the Cards a 3-2 lead and an assist from Caitlin Collins to end the scoring with less than a minute to go.

UofL (2-1) travels to #11 Wake Forest for a Sunday game next .

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College Sports Madness has released their Top 10 preseason poll and placed the Lady Cards  WBB #7 in the nation. Their top 10 is:

1) Baylor
2) Notre Dame
3) Tennessee
4) Connecticut
5) Stanford
6) Texas A&M
7) LOUISVILLE
8) Duke
9) Georgetown
10) LSU

Four BIG EAST schools and the Cards will face five of the top ten listed. Here is their synopsis of Walz Ball.

7. Louisville 22-13
Synopsis:  Shoni Schimmel at point guard and Monique Reid are the key components that will be driving this group of five returning starters in Louisville. A highly motivated squad is expected to take the floor come October when practice begins in earnest. The loss at Gonzaga is one that Coach Jeff Walz will have his charges prepared for as long as the returning players have a highly productive off season.

OK, it's obvious the writer here knows about as much about Lady Cards women's hoops as my pet beagle does. We all expect Shoni to make the transition to shooting guard, Keisha Hines has graduated so five returning starters is wrong and the highly publicized and documented trip to Oregon and Canada just flew over the writer's head. I especially love the cryptic statement at the end about Walz having his charges ready...for a loss at Gonzaga? Who is this writing...a 1-800 psychic?  Nostradamus?

We'll wait for a few more credible magazine and publication reports that know women's college basketball before we go with this website's prediction. No mention of the powerhouse freshman class or Cierra Warren? College Sports Madness may be the right moniker for this venue - the writer appears to be either senile or gone mad. I'm surprised that he got the coach right...

You can read the entire article at http://www.collegesportsmadness.com/. I recommend you go out for ice cream instead.
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Volleyball sweeps... Soccer loses... Field Hockey today...

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....welcome to the Labor Day weekend...Saturday CARDINAL COUPLE presents...


-Volleyball downs the Rebs

-Soccer falls to the Bears

-Field Hockey faces Davidson

-What a wild finish!

The University of Louisville volleyball team swept Ole Miss in Cardinal Arena last night in straight sets 28-26, 25-19 and 25-18. Lola Arslanbeckova stepped up huge for the wide net Cards with 19 kills.

"Lola gave us offensive stability last night. She was there taking care of business until the rest of the team settled down. With the first home match and a SOLD OUT arena, it can make for a lot of distractions. Ole Miss is going to be a great SEC team. WE are excited to get out first win at home "   Anne Kordes commented after the match. 

Emily Juhl's three straight
kills in Game 3 were key to
the Cardinal win.

Louisville did start slowly, trailing 5-1 in the first game before rallying to tie at 13-13. The teams went back and forth until a Lola kill made it 27-26 and a missed kill attempt by the Rebs gave the first one to the Cards.

Louisville jumped out to a 8-2 lead in the second game and held that lead the rest of the way to beat Ole Miss 25-19 in game two. The Cards broke away from a 16-15 lead in the final game to outscore the Rebs 9-3 and take game and match.

Taylor Brauneis also stepped up huge for UofL Friday with 33 assists. The Cards play two Saturday...Eastern Illinois @ 11 a.m. and Wichita State at 7 p.m.

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Tough loss in Cardinal Park Friday for women's soccer to Baylor. Louisville played the Bears to a scoreless first half but gave up three in the humid conditions in the second half to weather a 3-0 defeat.

"Our players are learning in these non-conference games that our opponents are coming to battle and there's not a lot of soccer being played at times. We have to learn to create more chances as we battle in these kind of games."  Karen-Ferguson-Dayes, Louisville women's soccer head coach revealed after the loss.

The Cards  were out shot 13-10, lost the corner kicks 10-3 and goalkeeper Chloe Kiefer had three stops while allowing three goals.

The Cards (1-2-1) will play Central Michigan Sunday at Cardinal Park on the final day of the Courtyard Marriott Classic. Baylor (4-0-1) squares off against Kentucky Saturday.

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Sowry looks for weekend
sweep in Carolina 

Field Hockey is in North Carolina and will face Davidson Saturday and #11 Wake Forest Sunday. #16 Louisville hasn't played the Davidson Wildcats (1-0) since 1998. Wake Forest (0-2) beat Louisville in Trager Stadium last time these two met 2-1 in 2009.

The stick girls received a nice honor when Haley Jurich and Caitlin Collins were named to the BIG EAST honor roll for their performances last week. Haley's goal against Michigan State was the game winner and only score. Collins' goal tied the match against California before the Cards fell 3-1. 

Wake Forest scrimmaged Pam Bustin's Duke squad to begin the season and fell 6-1.

Speaking of Pam...her Blue Devils are 1-1 on the season...beating Ohio State 3-2 in Columbus and losing 3-2 to Indiana in Bloomington.

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Fireworks galore in the final 90 seconds of the Seneca vs. Ballard football game last night. CARDINAL COUPLE'S Paul was there and gives this report:

Seneca regroups during the twenty minute delay late in
the 4th quarter while EMS carts off a Ballard Bruin.

Ballard marches down the field to take a 24-21 lead with 1:22 to go. They had led 17-7. Then, the Seneca Red Hawks, behind some nifty passing by Lincoln Dover, drive the length of the field and Dover sneaks one into the end zone behind Michael Stewart with eight seconds to go. 28-24 Red Hawks.

Seneca chooses to kick deep and Dee Doss fumbles with the kick, recovers in time to pitch to Dontez Byrd...who streaks 70 yards down the Seneca sideline as time expires to reach the end zone and give Ballard the win 30-28.

Most coaching manuals say....Never, never kick deep with eight seconds to go. Especially to the weak side of your kickoff team. A squib kick ends this one for the Red Hawks and keeps the ball away from the speedy Byrd. My heart goes out to the Seneca kids...but why kick to the side of the field where you've got only four defenders lined up? I'm not a high school coach..but the guys I was standing with on the sidelines watching the game all agreed...you squib kick one down the strong side of your kickoff formation and gang tackle.

Arrrggghhhh....
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The Seneca pep band's excellent drumming corps, led by exchange student Dlanod Etsay

Football beats Murray 21-9....Soccer today

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friday cardinal couple

-Strong first half leads Cards to opening football win

-Soccer hosts tournament today and Sunday.

CARDINAL COUPLE WILL BE TAKING A FEW DAYS TO ENJOY THE LONG LABOR DAY WEEKEND BUT DON'T YOU WORRY OR FRET, G.I....BEGINNING Sunday...WE'VE GOT DAVID WATSON POSTING AND KEEPING THINGS CURRENT IN BETWEEN HIS TRIPS TO HIS BBQ GRILL AND DOWNSTAIRS BAR.

The University of Louisville football team jumped out to a three touchdown lead in the first half over Murray State and cruised to the 12 point win. Wasn't pretty, especially in the second half...but it was just plain hot down on the sports-turf and both teams were gassed by game end. Better to be 1-0 than 0-1...


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Women's Soccer defends the Cardinal Park turf against Baylor today. First meeting ever between these two.  Should be a real scorcher (literally) with temps expected to reach 100 degrees in Louisville today. Hydrate, ladies...

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Volleyball kicks off an active weekend (thankfully indoors at Cardinal Arena) against Ole Miss tonight. The Cards went 2-1 in Atlanta last weekend and look to please the nearly sold out crowd tonight. 

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Everyone have a happy and fun Labor Day weekend! 
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