Friday Cardinal Couple -- Volleyball and Basketball today

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FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-Volleyball set for rematch with Marquette in Cardinal Arena

-Women's basketball opens regular season vs. Texas A&M

Exciting Friday for University of Louisville women's sports enthusiasts...with volleyball against league leading Marquette and women's basketball taking on the Texas A&M Aggies. Here's the breakdown:

First Place On The Line in Friday Afternoon game against the Golden Eagles

Louisville, Marquette and Notre Dame are tied at the top of the conference standings with 12-1 records. The Cards dealt Marquette their only conference loss back on Oct. 21st. in Milwaukee...winning 3-1.

Lola Arslanbekova had 24 kills and Emily Juhl contributed 13 in the 20-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-19 four-game win over the Golden Eagles. Louisville will need to be wary of Lindsay Gosh and Holly Mertens this afternoon in Cardinal Arena...the two combined for 29 kills against the Cards in the previous matchup.

Game time is 4:30 p.m. Let's hope the VolleyCards can eliminate Marquette in three games...to give fans plenty of time to make the drive from campus to downtown for the basketball game!

#12 Aggies to Test Cards in Friday Night Showdown

In the season opener for both squads, it'll be the third time in history the two storied programs. Texas A&M defeated the Cards last season at College Station an Louisville won in the Illini Classic back in 1992.

A&M bowed out of the NCAA Tournament last year in the Sweet Sixteen...losing to the same Maryland team that sent UofL to the sidelines...81-74.

Probable starters for Gary Blair's squad:

#23 Adrienne Pratcher ( Senior 5'7" G Memphis, TN) She distributed 102 assists for the Aggies last season and averaged 4.5 points and 19 minutes per game.

#33 Courtney Walker ( Freshman 5'8" G Edmond, OK) 2012 McDonald's All-American will test the Cards back court with her excellent shooting and playmaking skills.

#15 Tori Scott ( Sophomore 5'10" G Marrero, LA)
Played in 23 games last year with 0.7 pts. and 4.9 minutes per game. 2011 McDonald's All-American nominee.

#5 Kristi Bellock ( Senior 6'1" F St. Rose, LA)
Started last year against Cards. Played in 28 games with 0.9 points and 6.1 minutes per contest.

#3 Kelsey Bone ( Junior 6'4" C Houston, TX)
Named 2012 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. Started career at South Carolina where she was 2009 SEC leading rebounder and 2010 Second Team SEC. 11.9 points and 6.9 rebounds last year for A&M.

Head coach Gary Blair begins his 28th. season as a head coach, 11 of them at Texas A&M. Like Louisville, the Aggies will be tested early in the non-conference schedule...with games against Penn State, UConn and Marquette in November and TCU, USC and Kansas State in December. 

Sydney Brackemyer

Now a member of the SEC, Texas A&M also plays Kentucky twice this year. The Aggies can "go big" if needed...with 6'7" Rachel Mitchell and 6'5" Karla Gilbert on the roster. A&M is 8-3 all-time in openers on the road.

Kelsey Mitchell

CARDINAL COUPLE recruiting expert Jenny O'Bryan tells me that 2014 prospects Sydney Brackemyer and Kelsey Mitchell will be attending tonight's game as well...so say "Hi!" to them if you see them and welcome them to the 'Ville!

Should be an action-packed affair in the KFC YUM! Center tonight. Tickets still available for the game and showing a Kroger Plus card will get you in for $2. 

Let's pack the YUM! tonight for this tough contest and give the Cards a full house for their opener. Tip-off is 7 p.m. and it'll be broadcast on 790 WKRD AM radio in Louisville and WHAS TV 11-2 Digital...as well as on Insight-432, Comcast-207 and CARDS TV. For $2 bucks, though...we suggest you see this one live and in person. Gonna be a good one. UofL has designated tonight's game as a "red out"...so put the leisure suit and polyester dress shirt back in the closet (unless they're red...and I want a picture for the site if they are...)

We'll be back later tonight with a recap of both volleyball and basketball...

GO CARDS! 

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