Volleyball downs Cincy in three games...Soccer 2-1 over Rutgers

.
CARDINAL COUPLE SATURDAY

-Volleyball Cards go to 7-0 in BIG EAST

-Exeter's two goals lead Soccer to win

-Football with a tough test in Cincy today

The University of Louisville Volleyball team kept their perfect record in BIG EAST play
last night with a convincing 26-24, 25-19, 25-11 sweep of the Cincinnati Bearcats last
night in Cardinal Arena. Lola led the way again with 16 kills.

"Huge win for us tonight. Cincinnati is a great program, a great rival and they have a great coach in Reed Sunahara. We had great defense, great blocking and ran a well-balanced attack." -Cardinal head coach Anne Kordes.

Lola with 16 kills in
the Cardinal win.

The teams engaged in a nail-biter in the first game...UC actually leading 21-18 late until the Cards went on a 6-2 run to get to game-point. UC would not go away quietly, though and tied it at 24-24 before the Cards capitalized on a Lola kill and a UC error to win 26-24.
Louisville established control early in game two, leading by seven at one point, before the Bearcats roared back and got within two at 19-17. Louisville re-established their momentum from there on, though, and took six of the final eight points for the win.

A fatigued and disappointed Bearcat squad was no match for the Louisville hitters in game three - Louisville going on several runs, including a 8-0 push late...holding UC to just 11 points for their lowest total in a game this season. Emily Juhl also played well off injury, with nine kills. The Cards (15-4, 7-0) out hit UC .287 to .077 and drop the Bearcats to 13-8 and 5-2 in BIG EAST play.

**************************************************************************************************************

Christine Exeter scored both Cardinal goals in a 2-1 win over Rutgers last night in Cardinal Park. Both her goals came in the first half and the Cards held the Scarlet Knights scoreless until late in the second half. With the win, Louisville maintained their lead in the National Division of the BIG EAST and assured that they would be seeded no lower than second in the conference championships.

Another big night for goalie Chloe Kiefer...three saves for the senior. The Cards held a commanding 20-4 advantage in shots and 8-4 advantage in shots on goal.

"I thought we were exceptional in the first half but a little casual in the final half. It bordered on over-confidence. Overall, it's a great win." - Karen Ferguson-Dayes, head women's soccer coach.

The Cards have rebounded from a slow start to the season and will host Seton Hall on Sunday in their final home game of the regular season. Louisville has already qualified to host a quarter-final match in the BIG EAST tournament.

**************************************************************************************************************

The bearcat is one ugly mammal

The annual Keg of Nails contest today at noon in Paul Brown Stadium for the football Cards against the UC Bearcats. Can't ever remember being a 17 point underdog to UC. The Cards will have their hands full with UC QB Zach Collaros and bruising tailback Isaiah Pead. They won't lose by 17, though. In fact, I'm going with the longshot here and predicting a Cardinal win today.

Still crack up when I hear the announcer matter-of-factly intone:

"Pead out of bounds on the play."

Too much info, pal....

Make it so, touchdown Teddy.

Headed to see this one on the Parrish House bus in just a few short hours. The game in the Cincinnati Bengals home stadium just isn't the same as playing in cozy Nippert Stadium on campus. Let's hope playing in front of a half-empty stadium demoralizes the UC crew...
.
..
...

***************************************************************************************************************