Softball, Lacrosse Host Top 5 Teams; More Swimming Accolades; Rowing Underway in Florida -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Florida State and Louisville Start with Double Header Today

As Jared mentioned yesterday, Louisville is hosting defending champion #3 Florida State for a three game set. Previously scheduled as a Saturday-Monday daily matchup, impending weather caused UofL to shift the games to a double header on Saturday, with Monday's game remaining in place. ESPNU will have this one on the air, just as they did the Monday matchup between the two teams last season. 

Conveniently, the televised game between the two last year was Louisville's best showing, as the Cards fell to the Seminoles in Tallahassee 1-3. The previous two games on the weekend saw Louisville outscored 12-0. Of course, at that time, Florida State was well on their way to a 58-12 season and a national championship. Louisville will be looking to avenge those beatings from last season, especially since this season sees the Cards hosting, but Florida State is not much more vulnerable than before.

The Noles currently sit at 36-3, and while much was said about their loss at Grand Canyon early in March, no one really mentioned that FSU won the second game of that two game series 11-1 in 6 innings the next day. Of Florida State's losses this year, only one was by more than 3 runs (Arizona beat them 11-3) and Arizona was the only team FSU didn't dominate in their other meetings. Notre Dame took the middle game off of the Noles, only to find themselves losing the other two by a combined 16-1 scoreline. Florida State still beat Arizona in their other games of the series as well.

The bottom line is this: Florida State is good, still. It was exciting to think that they might be in trouble when they lost a game they shouldn't have, but teams do that all of the time. Louisville will need to be locked in to make some noise this weekend. They've shown in previous matchups this season that they have the talent to go toe-to-toe with top softball powers and this will be a three game series to show that definitively. The first game gets underway at 1PM today, with the second game to follow. It should be a beautiful day, so if you're able, get out to Ulmer and root on the Cards. If not, both games are available on the ACC Network Extra.

Asia Durr Selected for Dawn Staley Award


Who is the best guard in D1 women's basketball? Why, look no further than Asia Durr!

Another trophy in the bag for Louisville's one-of-a-kind sharpshooter. The Dawn Staley Award is presented yearly to the best guard that embodies the skills Staley had in her playing time, on offense and defense.

Asia will be officially awarded the honor in Philly, Thursday April 11th.  

Lacrosse Hosts UNC

In addition to the third ranked Florida State Seminoles, Louisville will play host to the fifth ranked North Carolina Tar Heels today. At 4-9 so far this year, Coach Teeter is not having the season I'm sure he hoped, but there is a lot more to look at than just the overall record. The Cards have played a tough schedule, and, of their 9 losses, 5 have come by three or fewer goals, and 4 have been just one goal losses.

Louisville has been strong offensively, even against top teams, being held to fewer than 7 goals just twice; once in the second game of the season in snowy Denver and the other in a tough road matchup against Notre Dame. The Cards have lost three in a row, but the last two have both been by one goal apiece. Today's game will be a tough one, but we'll see what the Cards can put together against yet another top team. The game gets underway at 12PM which means we'll take you right up to it with the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour. It's available on ACC Network Extra.

Comerford, Albiero Earn Honors

In what should be a surprise to no one, Mallory Comerford and Arthur Albiero weren't finished bringing home hardware after the National Championships over the last couple of weeks. Yesterday, it was announced that Comerford was the ACC's women's swimmer of the year and Albiero was the conference's coach of the year. I think you could make an argument that Comerford, a two-time individual champion this year alone, could be named the overall swimmer of the year for the conference, but I don't think that they have that award, so we'll just remember it for ourselves here at Cardinal Couple.

Rowing in Three Finals Today

Rowing had a good first day at the Sunshine State Invitational yesterday, coming up a little short (just over 9 seconds) from competing in all four grand finals this morning. The Cards are competing in grand finals for Varsity 8, Varsity 4, and 2Varsity 4. They'll be in the petite final in 2Varsity 8. Louisville qualified 2nd overall in Varsity 8 and will look for their best finish of the season if they can grab wins in multiple finals this morning.

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour

We'll be back in the studio today with a full(ish) house. Daryl and Paulie elected not to go to Tampa without the Cards, so they'll join Jared and me on Mellwood as Jeff checks in from the Highlands.

We're grateful to Monk for stepping back into the engineer role for us as Jeff is out this week. Jeff will bring us a report directly from the KIVA event, and we'll preview softball, talk about their last two games, and look a bit at the Final Four that started last night (RIP my bracket hopes). Tune into WCHQ FM at 11AM for the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour. The show is available at 100.9 FM, the WCHQ App, wchqfm.com, and on Facebook Live.

Until next time, Go Cards!

-CH-

Asia's Awards -- Scheduling -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Asia Wins More Awards

After having a Durr-ific senior season Asia Durr was recognized with more awards.

(picture courtesy of UofLCard Game) 

She was one of 10 players named a WBCA All-American.  Nine different teams were represented with UConn being the only team to have multiple players.  Joining Durr includes:

Kalani Brown- Baylor
Megan Gustafson- Iowa
Bridge Carleton- Iowa State
Teaira McCowan- Mississippi State
Arike Ogunbawale- Notre Dame
Sabrina Ionescu- Oregon
Alanna Smith- Stanford
Katie Lou Samuelson- UConn
Napheesa Collier- UConn

Besides being named to another All-American list 'Nite-Nite' was also won the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award.  Ann Meyers Drysdale is the first collegiate basketball player named to the All-America team for all four seasons of eligibility  The award recognizes the top shooting guard in women's D1 basketball.

(send in another guy from Building and Grounds, UofL, to help with the construction of the trophy case, it going to be bigger than anticipated)

Scheduling

Rowing is enjoying warm, sunny weather down in Sarasota for the Sunshine State Invitational for a
three-day event.

Lacrosse hosts North Carolina on Saturday at noon, right when the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour concludes.  The Tar Heels come in #5 in the country and are coming off a close loss to Notre Dame last out.  Lately, the LaxCards have had some close battles as the players become accustomed to the Teeter system so this could potentially come down to the wire

Paulie caught up with Coach Teeter Thursday for a pre-UNC interview that you'll find a link to below

Softball hosts a three-game series against national champion Florida State.  The Cards and Seminoles play Saturday at 1:00, Sunday at 1:00, and Monday night at 7:00, with that final game being aired on ESPNU.

Volleyball will play several matches Saturday at KIVA  over by the zoo throughout the day.  Worldwide will be on-site and we'll catch up with him via phone on the Cardinal Couple Radio at 11 a.m. Saturday on WCHQ.

Women's tennis has concluded their home schedule, but hits the road to face Virginia Tech on Friday and Virginia on Sunday.

We also attach a great article from Louisville Lacrosse player Shayla Scanlan that was in US Lacrosse magazine recently.

LINK: INTERVIEW WITH SCOTT TEETER/LOUISVILLE LACROSSE 4/4/19

LINK: SCANLAN INTERVIEW WITH US LACROSSE MAGAZINE



Muffet's Comments


Normally I don't have reason to listen to what Muffet McGraw has to say but her comments from yesterday were worth mentioning.

The Notre Dame head coach goes on a several-minute monologue regarding equal rights and the few number of women head coaches, athletic directors, and CEO's.

In terms of women role models in head coaching positions McGraw is one of the few that can hold that title.  So yes, Muffet, I do applaud you for that.

LINK: MUFFET MCGRAW COMMENTS

Finally, a couple of the best comebacks to one of the most stupid questions ever asked at a Final Four presser, we give you Muffet one more time and Geno at the link below:

LINK: WHO COMES UP WITH THESE QUESTIONS, A FOUR-YEAR OLD? .



Happy Friday and Go Cards!

Jared

Coach Walz staying -- Softball slaying -- Asia relaying -- FH goes to India -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

MEDIA REPORTS OF WALZ REMAINING AT LOUISVILLE

Something we felt very confident of here at Cardinal Couple, but other media sources and types doubted and openly questioned -- got verified yesterday. 

Jeff Walz is staying at Louisville. 

The UofL head basketball coach confirmed yesterday with several credible and recognized media outlets that he'll be the head coach at Louisville next year. that he's happy and looking forward to doing that, that he's had no contact with "Rocky Top", Phil and even managed to work little Walz snark and sarcasm into the announcement, by saying he would leave if our "one great newspaper" had any openings. 

It's as regular as the daffodils that pop up in Paulie's front flower beds each early spring.

Some knucklehead says something about Walz leaving..be it a tweet from an insignificant and previously unheard of media stiff without verified sources... or rumors from "so called" knowledgeable journalists...or maybe the counter gal at the donut shop you stop each morning...and, Shazam!...it goes viral and Cardinal fans go running to the hills clutching their Bobbleheads and "nite-nite" travel kits. 

The report is Coach is vacationing with family in Colorado. Please don't take that as a sign the man is seeking the Buffaloes, Pioneers, Rams or Air Force head women's basketball job.  He'll be back blowing the whistle in the Korber Planet Fitness basketball practice facility after a well deserved rest and relaxation period with his loved ones. 

This is not a test. This is not a simulation. Jeff Walz, 2018-19 Louisville WBB head coach will reprise that popular role in the 2019-20 season and is still the skipper. Stand down, go to DefCon 5 and alert all associates down the line that situation is normal. (Although the term "normal" and Jeff Walz aren't usually associated with each other. 

Give me your hand and step away from the ledge. Calm down. All is right with the most successful coach on the Belknap campus and he'll be returning to take Paulie's post game questions and send them deep onto the sidewalk outside Ulmer before you know it.

Coach Walz is fond of telling his players that mistakes are OK and going to happen, just make a different one next time. Show that you learned something from the previous one. Make no mistake about the following sentence:

Jeff Walz will be the head coach for Louisville women's basketball next season. 

Each year, the robins come back to pluck worms out of the yard and something pops up about Walz. Give the guy a break. Even if he wouldn't be able to visualize it, with his color-blindness...just how ridiculous would he look in orange to begin with? Or singing "Rocky Top" off-key? 

(I hope I can get my money back on those orange and white pom-poms I bought for Coach when I was in Gatlinburg earlier this year...I kept the receipt).

So, it's up to you, CardNation followers, detractors and worriers...to come up with a new and better rumor concerning UofL WBB and the Mad Scientist. Gossip lovers, tawdry journalists and those self-appointed insiders of the program are standing by. The phone and Twitter lines are open. Call now !! 

(Judge Paulie taps gavel on table) Next on the docket?  


SOFTBALL SLAMS WKU

Speaking of mistakes, there was no mistake about Louisville Softball wanting to establish early dominance over WKU last night. And, they did. 

The Cards piled up six runs in the first two inning en route to a 7-2 win over Big Red on the Hill in Bowling Green.

Walks, hits and errors helped the "hit and run" Cards from Floyd Street plate three runs in the top of the first. Winning pitcher Taylor Roby helped her cause by driving in two of the three runs Louisville pushed across the plate in the second frame. And, for dessert...Danielle Watson pounded her first career home run in the seventh for the final tally. 

Another strong effort for the redshirt freshman from Mt.Washington in the circle yesterday...Roby went five innings and allowed just two runs and four hits for UofL. The aforementioned Watson came in for the final two innings and struck out three Toppers to preserve the "W" for the Cards. Louisville is now 23-13 on the season and 4 for 5 in recent midweek contests. 

Big things this weekend at Ulmer, as the Cards host ACC powerhouse and defending national champion Florida State for three contests beginning Saturday. The 'Noles are #3 in the nation and are 36-3 on the season. First pitch Saturday at 1 p.m. We suggest you come out to Ulmer for what looks like an ideal weekend for outdoor activities. 

Bailiff, whose next to appear before Cardinal Couple Thursday court? 


ASIA AWARD

That noise you heard on Floyd Street is the UofL Maintenance and Construction crew building another trophy case to house the awards Cardinal Forever Asia Durr keeps earning.  

"Nite-Nite" was named as one of the five members of the 2019 John R. Wooden Award All-Americans. This award and team is made up of the top five vote-getting student-athletes in women's college basketball for determining the most outstanding college player of the year. The first place winner will be announced on ESPN2, on Friday night...April 12th.  

The other four finalists are Napheesa Collier (UConn), Megan Gustafson (Iowa), Sabrina Ionescu (Oregon) and Teaira McCowan (Miss. State). Voting took place from March 19-29.

It's the second straight year Asia has been selected for this All-America honor. 

We, here at Cardinal Couple, stand by our previous and numerous statements that Durr was the best player in women's college basketball this season.

Let's hope the Wooden group agrees! 



INDIA CHOOSES LOUISVILLE FIELD HOCKEY

No, the headline doesn't mean that Justine Sowry's squad has been picked to play home games in New Delhi this fall or that the "stick girls from Trager" will be representing India in any type of competitions or marketing plans...although, we do wonder what Sowry would look like in a lehenga choli or pattu pavadai on the sidelines...

What it does mean is that Louisville Manual high school Field Hockey defender India Reed has chosen UofL as her destination to continue her student-athlete carer in college. 

Reed was the 2018 Kentucky Miss Field Hockey award winner and led Manual to the semifinals of the state tournament. 

She was also named the Most Outstanding Senior of the Year by the Kentucky High School Field Hockey Coaches Association and was also named on the NFHCA High School National All-American Academic squad. 

Cardinal Couple favorite
Taylor Stone

Over the past couple of weeks, Sowry has added two Netherlanders to the squad in Julie Kouijzer and Thirsa Kho. Also, accolades bestowed to some current and former Cardinals with Megan Schneider making the USA U-19 Travel roster.

Carter Ayers & Katie Schneider have been named to the USA U-21 travel roster and Taylor Stone, Katie Walsh and Erin McCrudden named to the USA Developmental Squad. 

(All rise! Court is now out-of-session and adjourned. All jurors report to the Louisville Lacrosse Stadium for some draw controls cardio led by Kay Morissette and Scott Teeter.)

Have a tremendous Thursday!

Paulie

Softball Falls in Extras -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Cards Rally, Fall in Extras

Louisville rallied to send their game to extra innings but ultimately fell to Lipscomb, 5-4.  Megan Hensley led the offense with a home run and two RBI's.

A sac fly by Hensley drove in Sidney Melton in the first inning for the only lead the Cards would see on the day. Normally, a routine play, but Melton tagged and scored from second base, not third! 

A fielding error and a home run gave the Bisons the lead, one that would not relinquish until Louisville tied the score in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Down 4-1 in the fourth inning Charley Butler singled and drove in Jordyn Wolfe and Caitlin Ferguson.  Ferguson led off that inning with a single and advanced to third on Kyra Snyder's double.  Wolfe would pinch run for Snyder.

With the score 4-3 Lipscomb and the Cards down to their final two outs,  Hensley sent a shot that barely cleared the fence  and rolled to the concrete ledge in right center.The bases-empty blast tied the affair at 4-4

Lipscomb relied on misfortune by the Louisville pitching and defense for the go ahead run in the top of the eighth.  A lead off base hit ended up with the runner on third following a fielder's choice and a fielding error.  A wild pitch or passed ball (there was some debate on how it should be classified) to the backstop gave the Bisons an opportune moment to score to go-ahead run in the eighth and the Cards could not muster in the bottom of the inning, going 1-2-3 at-bat for the 5-4 finish. .

A few Cards are on streaks and moving into record books:

* Hensley's 29th career homer puts her into a tie for seventh in Louisville history with Alicja Wolny*.

* Melton has a career-high 19 stolen bases on the season, tied for fifth on the single season record books.*

* Melton's 52 career stolen bases is third all-time.*

*Snyder has reached base safely in 10 straight games.*

*Funke's nine triples this season is a program record and puts her in a tie for first in the NCAA*.

Louisville drops to 22-13 and they prepare to travel to Bowling Green to face WKU tonight. Unable to go to Bowling Green today, Paulie was looking for a live broadcast of the contest and found one through the C-USA Conference link. They do, however, want $6.95 for the viewing pleasure...despite admission being free. Great way to grow the sport, Toppers...nickle and diming people at every turn.

After the trip up the Hill...UofL SB then returns home to host reigning national champion Florida State for a Saturday, Sunday, Monday weekend series. Brodcast details on those later this week.

Paulie caught up with Holly after the game and got some post-game comments. You can hear those below. There was no post-game video recorded.

POST GAME AUDIO WITH COACH APRILE:  HOLLY APRILE AFTER 4/2/19 LIPSCOMB GAME


Bracket Update

The Cardinal Couple NCAA Women's Tournament Bracket Challenge report: 

The standings are shaping out as we approach the final three games of the tournament.  Most of us have no chance of winning anymore but it appears most of us are pretty darn good at picking women's basketball brackets.

-- Eight entries have lost their champion.

-- Five entries have lost one of their championship game teams.

-- Five entries have no possible wins remaining in the final three games.

Also,

-- Baylor is picked to win in five brackets.

-- UConn is picked to win in three brackets.

-- Notre Dame is picked to win in three brackets.

Here are you TOP 20 Standings: (3 games to go!)

51-9
Kenny Schneider

50-10
Doug Anderson
Charlie McAdams

49-11
K Stark Sr

48-12
Case Hoskins

47-13
Jared Anderson
Daryl Foust
Mike D

46-14
Paul Sykes

45-15
Seminole Sue
Jeff McAdams

44-16
Arthur
Joe Hill
Nick O

43-17
Sandy W
Sonya Sykes

42-18
Curtis Franklin

38-22
David Watson

33-27
Cardinal Chimps

29-31
Flip Coin

As always, contact bracket czar -- me -- Jared Anderson or Paulie with any disputes, questions, sure-things-on-long-shots-at Keeneland or questions. Or leave a comment.  I'm at:  eupherjared@gmail.com  Paulie mans the cardinalcouple@twc.com e-mail box.


Lauren Hartlage in National Women's Amateur Championship

Star golfer Lauren Hartlage will tee off at 10:12 this morning in the inaugural National Women's Amateur Championship this morning.  Hartlage is one of 72 golfers who will play 54 holes over the next few days.

The site is historic Augusta, GA -- home of the Masters. The participants won't start on the legendary course -- the first 36 holes will be contested at the Champions Retreat G.C. and the final 18 at Augusta.

At the end of 2018 Hartlage finished in the rankings 59th internationally and 22nd in the United States.

Happy Wednesday and Go Cards!

Jared

ASIA DURR NAMED TO AP FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN -- SOFTBALL TODAY -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR FOR 'NITE-NITE' ON AP SQUAD


She's the first player in the Cards program history to get the back-to-n=back accolades.

Asia Durr returns to the Associated Press All-American first team...joining some talent seniors and a junior on the squad. Out of the 28 "voters", Durr received first team votes from 25 of them. Her season ended with her averaging 21.2 ppg, which was the fourth highest scoring average in program history. Only she and Angel McCoughtry have received this esteemed honor among UofL WBB players.


  The other First Team selections: 

-- Napheesa Collier (UConn) 6'1 senior . 27/28 first team votes, 138 points. --

-- Megan Gustafson (Iowa)  6'3" senior.  26/28 first team votes, 136 points. -- 

-- Sabrina Ionescu (Oregon)  5'11" junior  26/28 first team votes,  136 points -- 

-- Teaira McCowan, (Mississippi St.)  6'7" senior  20/28 first team votes, 124 points --


The sportswriters who get these votes (and I ain't one of them, sadly) name second and third teams, as well, and an honorable mention list.

One has to wonder why Sam Fuehring didn't make any of these teams or even the honorable mention list. One has to wonder who (if anyone) from our fair city gets the ballot(s) and if they know much about WBB?  You can't convince me that Sam Fuehring is not one of the best 33 players in DI WBB this year. Three Mississippi State players were selected in the top 33. How's your season going, Vic Schaefer?

Give me a break. 

The other two teams are: 

2nd team: Ogunbowale (ND), Brown (Baylor), Anigwe (Cal), Smith (Stanford), Carleton (Iowa State). 

3rd team: Samuelson (UConn), Shepard (ND), Cox (Baylor), Cunningham (Missouri), Young (Notre Dame).

In case you stopped following the NCAA WBB tournament after the Cards got knocked out...the Final Four consists of Baylor vs. Oregon and Notre Dame vs. UConn. The semifinals are Friday night with the Championship game on Sunday, April 7th. 

I have all four finalists in my bracket challenge picks, how about you? The Cardinal Couple Bracket Challenge tournament Director Jared "I'll get around to those totals, I promise" Anderson says he'll have updated standings in tomorrow's article. I think I'm 46-14 going into the Final Four.  Sonya at 43-16, but, after a while looking at circled correct picks and scratched out wrong picks, I get dizzy.

Miami was my worst selection, along with NC State. Sonya had the Cards facing Mississippi State in the final game. 

(I've already had an individual e-mail me their starting lineup for the Cards in the 2019-2020 season. No, it wasn't Coach Walz. I think this person must be related to Nostradamus or Charlie Creme). 


SOFTBALL FACES LIPSCOMB TODAY

Louisville Softball (22-12) is having a pretty good season and you get the chance to see the "Funky" Cards in action today if you head down to Ulmer Stadium for the 5 p.m. first pitch against Lipscomb.

The Lady Bisons are 23-12-1 on the season and participate in the Atlantic Sun Conference. They took two out of three over the weekend against visiting North Florida. At the plate, Cardinal pitchers will need to be wary of Jordan Fortel, who is batting .411 and has five fence-clearers and Hannah Devault, who has sent six softballs out of the ballpark. 

Terrific Taylor

The Cards are led by red-shirt freshman Taylor Roby at the plate, she's batting .351. Celene Funke has nine triples on the season, tied for first in DI softball. Sidney Melton has pilfered 18 bases this year for the Cards and Megan Hensley is the ace of the Cardinal pitching staff so far with a 9-2 record. 

Surprisingly, Lipscomb leads the overall series with the Cards 3-1 and downed Louisville 3-1 last year at Draper Diamond in Nashville.

I was having a bit of fun formulating my "all-Taylor" team for UofL women's athletics last night. My top five are: 

 Taylor Bucklin (soccer), Taylor Stone (Field Hockey), Taylor Johnson (WBB), Missy Taylor (WBB) and Taylor Roby. 

Got one or two to challenge these? Add 'em in the comments section.  


TARHEEL TROUBLE? 

Interesting news out of Chapel Hill, NC yesterday. 

It seems the entire coaching staff of the University of North Carolina women's basketball program, including Hall-of-Fame head coach Sylvia Hatchell, have been placed on paid administrative leave by the University while a review of the program's culture takes place. 

Unspecified issues (for now) from student-athletes and others are the reason for the review. The law firm of Dewey, Cheatum and Howe...oops! Parker, Poe, Adams & Bernstein out of Charlotte, NC will conduct and assess the program. No time frame for this has been provided, but the review will be "thorough and prompt", according to UNC officials. 

Surprise and shock seem to be the most common reaction to this self-mandated review. Several players currently on the squad say they have no idea why this is being done and who is prompting it. 

Yeah, sure, we all know Janelle Bailey -- UNC freshman forward -- is a temperamental sort and her suspension for going after Duke forward Jade Williams during the last game this season between the two rivals was a situation that was pretty messy and uncalled for. Fortunately, cooler heads stepped in before it got too-out-of-control.

But, this is not about Janelle directly. It is about the coaches of the program. This could turn out to be pretty interesting, we'll keep an eye on it and report further on it as it progresses. As for culture? That's a slippery slope to ever try and define and assess. This might take awhile. Things always seem to, when it comes to UNC athletics.

UNC has had their share of controversies in women's basketball over the years. The highly recruited 2013 UNC class, led by Diamond DeShields and featuring Stephanie Mavunga, Allisha Gray and Jessica Washington was gone by 2015. DeShields ended up at Rocky Top, with Mercedes Russell...another one that was highly linked with that class but waved off the invite to join them. 

So....what say you, Sylvia?

“I’ve had the privilege of coaching more than 200 young women during my 44 years in basketball,” her statement read. “My goal has always been to help them become the very best people they can be, on the basketball court and in life.

“I love each and every one of the players I’ve coached and would do anything to encourage and support them. They are like family to me. I love them all.

“Of course, I will cooperate fully in this review. I look forward to a prompt conclusion of this matter and the continuation of our very successful women’s basketball program.”

Whoever prepared the statement for her (and she has lawyered up) is/are the master(s) of non-sequiturs. Remember the Sylvia comment from back in 2015?

“There has been a lot of speculation surrounding our program in recent weeks and that’s all that it is – speculation,” coach Sylvia Hatchell said in a statement. “Our players are working every day to get better and I appreciate their efforts. A number of former players have reached out to me with their support. We have a strong and loyal Tar Heel family.”



Have a tremendous Tuesday!

paulie
xxxxx

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

LATE SURGE FALLS SHORT IN LOSS TO HUSKIES

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

Back and forth that fourth quarter went. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


THE FRED REPORT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


LACROSSE DROPS A CLOSE ONE TO DELAWARE


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


SOFTBALL OUT-SLUGGED IN BLACKSBURG


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

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

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


LOUISVILLE TENNIS  FALLS TO B.C. ON SENIOR DAY

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

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

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

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


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


paulie
xxxxx