RED OUT Clothes Must Be Laundered Separately

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TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

(Staff columnist Sandy Walker brings us the Election Day edition of CARDINAL COUPLE this Tuesday. Basketball, Volleyball and Soccer are the items today. Thanks to Sandy for the updates and for donating her leftover Halloween candy to Bill the Goat out on Hwy 22...campaigning for Loquacious Gadfly! )

Sandy is running late today and has washer loads backed up waiting for the dryer to finish her red out outfit for this Friday’s basketball game.   For now, here are the moments highlights but feel free to promote current news in the comments.

BASKETBALL

It’s here! – the week we have all waited for since our earlier than desired 2012 NCAA tournament exit.   The women’s long awaited return to the court provides two opportunities this weekend.

TEXAS A & M

 This season’s opening game is Friday November 9, 2012.  Just in case you have been so involved with so many  of our schools other successful teams and have not noticed, this Friday’s game is against the 2011 NCAA National Champion Texas A & M.  Tip off is  at the YUM! Center at 7:00 pm.  This is our opportunity to shown A & M all of Louisville’s team and what they can do as last year’s game at Texas found us to be understaffed for the match.  Word is that we can look forward to seeing Mo back on the court, at least for part of the game, as she returns from last season’s injury with Tia soon to follow. 

Friday’s match is a RED OUT where everyone should show up wearing their brightest U of L Red attire.   Kroger is making it easier for us to pack the house by making $2.00 admission tickets be available to anyone who presents a Kroger Plus card at any U of L Ticket office location.  Information can be obtained by calling the U of L  ticket office at (502) 852-5151.

Texas claims everything is larger in their state, but compared to Louisville, attendance at their women’s basketball is not one of them.   Do your part to keep that fact in fact as this year the women strive to become the #1 ranking in women’s basketball attendance.   This has to be the best entertainment value in town.  Coach Walz has encouraged everyone to bring a first time fan to one game then let the team convert them into a full time fan.

The fan that we anticipate is traveling the farthest to see Friday’s game is Oregon native and Cards Fan Philip Van Der Weele.  Philip contacted Cardinal Couple owner Paul Sykes this fall and indicated his intent to attend Louisville’s opening game against Texas A & M and I hear that he already has his 1^st and 2^nd round NCAA Louisville regional tickets purchased.  This is just another example of Louisville’s athletic team influence which is truly coast to coast.   Other long distance visitors are welcome to contact us through the comments or Paul’s e-mail to let us know of your travels.

PORTLAND

Not to worry, basketball fans, we also have something to occupy us on Sunday.  Portland will be in town on Sunday to challenge U of L beginning at noon.   The game, as is normal with our women’s team, will also be at the YUM! Center.    We all need to get our game fix this weekend as the next home game is not until November 28 against Eastern Kentucky which is followed by Kentucky – at our home this year.

TICKETS

Single game tickets went on Sale Monday.   Corner arena and baseline season tickets are still available.  http://www.uoflsports.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/102912aaa.html 

Contact the ticket office at 502-852-5151. Also, don’t forget – U of L is pleased to be hosting the first and second rounds of the 2013 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament in the KFC Yum Center!. Tickets are currently on sale.  Coach Walz had indicated the need to pre-sale at least 8,000 tickets at this year’s award of the openings rounds is hoped to be the beginning of what some day will culminate in the hosting of the Final 4 Championships.  Selection to the 64 team NCAA tournament team will insure that U of L will play in the first round in their regular season home.  A win would give them home court advantage also in the 2^nd round which is also being played in Louisville.   U of L has not enjoyed the tournament home court advantage in recent years, if ever.  I would advise you to get your tickets now before the tournament teams are announced and you find yourself competing with fans from other teams for premium seats.

RECRUITS

We at Cardinal Couple again want congratulate Emmonnie Henderson, Janelle Cannon and Alexis Montgomery for their great choice to become Louisville Cardinals.

L1C4

Are there other top recruits waiting in the wings to announce Louisville as their new home (such as maybe Imani Wright who is reported to be favoring staying in her home state) and join Louisville to be a part of the future in women’s basketball or will Coach Walz save those scholarships for the next season of young stars?  No matter which way it goes we are confident in our Coach’s proven ability to develop the players who want to be here into stars which surpass all of our and the national recruiting sites projected expectations.

100 BEST PROGRAMS IN DIVISION 1

Last week I included information about rankings created by James Bowman of SB Nation / Swish Appeal has again created what it considers to be the best 100 women’s basketball  Division I programs.  I am happy to update that information with Louisville women being named at # 10 in their poll.   The link below includes the Louisville information printed in the poll along with the 1^st through 9^th ranked teams.

These were their rankings of the 100 best programs in Division I. This is not the same thing as the 100 best teams in Division I for the 2012-13 season.  Considerations were Wins and quality of competition, Attendance, Recruiting, and Hitting benchmarks.  Benchmarks are Postseason play, win totals, Conference titles and tournament victories, All Americans and WNBA high draft picks.  Excluded were Faraway glory, Coaching records and longevity and Academics.  http://www.swishappeal.com/2012/11/2/3524410/ncaa-womens-basketball-top-100-programs-recruiting-infractions

TIA GIBBS ARTICLE

The Courier Journal published a great interview article with Tia Gibbs.  It can be found at http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20121105/SPORTS02/311050143/Q-Louisville-basketball-player-Tia-Gibbs?nclick_check=1 . 

She is anxious to get back onto the court and has indicated that what she best plans to bring with her is Energy, Leadership and most of all DEFENSE.

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VOLLEYBALL

Friday is a great opportunity to fill your evening with Louisville women’s sports.  Our 23 -3 Volleyball team plays at Cardinal Arena against Marquette at 4:30.  This leaves plenty of time to watch our Volleycards then head downtown to park then off to a quick dinner before the 7:00 basketball game tip off.   I can’t think of a better way to start your weekend.  This is their next to last match before the Big East Championship begins.   Your final regular season opportunity to see this team in their race to win the Big East Championship is this Sunday November 11 at 12:00.  This match will also be at Cardinal Arena so get your tickets early as a sell out for both matches is anticipated.

Cardinal Volleyball in Cardinal Arena is a loud, rowdy and fun couple of hours spent. It's also intimidating for opponents.

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SOCCER

Charlyn Corral was selected as the 2012 BIG EAST Conference Midfielder of the Year. 

Corral, of the Louisville women’s soccer team was selected as the 2012 BIG EAST Conference Midfielder of the Year while three other Cardinals earned All-BIG EAST honors during Thursday night’s awards banquet at the Hartford Downtown Marriott.   Charlyn was also a First Team All-BIG East selection.   Other recognized players were Angelika Uremovich who was named to the Second Team All-BIG EAST team while Chloe Kiefer and Christine Exeter were both named to the All-BIG EAST Third Team.   Complete details can be found at http://www.whas11.com/sports/university-of-louisville-sports/Louisvilles-Corral-named-BIG-EAST-Womens-Soccer-Midfielder-of-the-Year-176888711.html .  

SKILLS CAMP

On February 3, 2013 the women’s soccer program will host a Winter Skills Camp which will be held at the Trager Center at the U of L Campus.   The camp is open to all female soccer players ages 10-14.  Details are at U of L ‘s official website under women’s soccer news.

       

Sandy W.

( Our thanks to Sandy for the updates on our Louisville womens' athletic endeavors!)

Finally, a bit of sad news to pass on. Louisville women's basketball's assistant sports information director Kim Pemberton lost her mother to cancer Monday. It had been a long battle for Barbara and a tough struggle for Kim and the family as well...but the pain is gone now and she is watching over her loved ones now in Heaven.

Kim does a wonderful job keeping us updated and informed on Cardinal Womens' Basketball and our thoughts and prayers are with her during this tough period.

"We are only here for a brief time in the scheme of things. We never are really gone, though. As long as the memories and thoughts continue about those who have gone on to their great reward, they'll live with us forever."
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Recruiting round up

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WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Jenny catches us up on the recruit scenario.

-Despite losing Russell, Cards have done well with 2013 class.

-Cards exhibition game against Eckerd tonight.

Alexis Montgomery, a guard out of Beaverton, OR who was on campus this past weekend, has given her verbal pledge to the Louisville program.  Montgomery is the second 2013 prospect to do so within the last day. 
Attached is a good read, from Oregon Live reporter Jerry Ulmer. Link below: 


Montgomery Chooses Louisville

Montgomery chose Louisville over Seattle University, Hawaii and Virginia Tech.  Montgomery is ranked as the #57 guard in the class and joins #21 Emmonnie Henderson and JUCO stand out Janelle Cannon so far in the class of 2013.

Coach Walz and company are not done yet, either.  Louisville is still in the running for top prospects Imani Wright (Texas) and Jordan Reynolds (Oregon).   Keep it tuned here Cardinal faithful, for all the latest recruiting round up. 

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It is hard not to be a bit disappointed when you come this close to landing the #1 recruit in the nation...to be the final cut on her list.  You have to respect Russell’s decision, though.  She is an incredible player and we look for her to have much success in her collegiate career. 

That being said, Card Nation has much to look forward to!  The Cardinals are preseason ranked #9 in the country; play at an amazing facility known as The KFC YUM! Center, and have a great coaching staff that was in it until the end with the #1 recruit in the nation.   I expect more of these epic recruiting battles in the future.  The Louisville program has proven that it is relevant and can go toe to toe with the top programs in the country.  You win some recruiting battles and you lose some.  When going against the best in the nation, one is bound to lose a few battles. 

Our Cards are loaded with talent and are poised to take the program back to the Final Four as soon as this year.  The coaching staff continues to work to bring in top prospects.  Attendance is growing, and no doubt will continue to grow, and we look to break attendance records this year!

The Cardinal Spirit is alive and well.

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The future remains bright in Louisville!  Card Fans, stand up and support our team!  Your first opportunity to do so happens tonight, at The YUM! Center.  The Cardinals play their one and only exhibition game against Eckerd College at 7:00 p.m.  Admission is free!  Get your trick or treating done early and head down to the YUM Center for more treats!! 

It is always a great day to be a Cardinal!  L1C4, baby!

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( Editor's note. HAPPY HALLOWEEN to all our readers! Stay with CARDINAL COUPLE for Louisville womens sports treats all year long. We won't trick you on the facts and you'll have a spooky good time reading our unmasked reports on the Cards gobblin' up their opponents!)

We leave you today with a great song by the Byrds from 1970 which covers desire, pursuit, defeat and determination to try again. It parallels the pursuit of Ms. Russell.

Enjoy Chestnut Mare. Link below. Keep chasing, Jeff. You're gonna catch more than a few.


Chestnut Mare
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MERCEDES RUSSELL SAYS...

TENNESSEE

The #1 recruit in the 2013 class has spoken...and she said Tennessee.

You win some, you lose some. Louisville got great news yesterday and earlier today about Emmonnie Henderson and Alexis Montgomery committing.  

We kept our hopes high and wish Mercedes the very best in her academic and collegiate basketball career. Not gonna kid you, this one hurts...but the Cardinal Spirit is strong, united and loyal. We'll cheer our hearts out for who is on the court.

A heartfelt thanks to the Louisville players, staff, coaches and fans who did their best to try and make Mercedes a Cardinal.

We go on. Cardinal WBB in the KFC YUM! Center tomorrow night to see a very good UofL WBB team that will be fun to watch and so very talented.

L1C4.

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Emmonnie Henderson is a Cardinal!

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MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE SPECIAL EDITION

- CARDINAL COUPLE COLUMNIST JENNY O'BRYAN BRINGS US THE RECRUITING NEWS...HENDERSON VERBALS TO LOUISVILLE!

- What is your question?


Emmonnie Henderson is a 6-2 forward from Edwardsville HS Illinois.  She is also a dual sport athlete in shot put and discus, and as of this early evening, a future Louisville Cardinal. 

The now defunct Hoopgurlz rated Henderson at #40 and All Star Girls Report ranks her at #21 in her class.    Henderson was on campus this past weekend, and chose Louisville over her other finalist, powerhouse Tennessee. 

For Cardinal Couple faithful readers, you may remember I wrote about her this past summer after seeing an AAU game.  Henderson will be a huge asset in brutal Big East play.  She is said to be “strong as an ox” and has a sturdy frame.  Her attacking around the basket was powerful and consistent and scouts have been noting her extending her game away from the basket.   Henderson is capable of playing multiple positions on the court and will be a matchup nightmare for opponents. 

Henderson was one of four recruits on campus this weekend, and one of five still considering Louisville.   Alexis Montgomery and Mercedes Russell, both from Oregon, will be announcing their college choice tomorrow.  Jordan Reynolds, also from Oregon, was on campus this weekend.  No timetable has been made available about when she will decide.  Imani Wright, out of Texas, was on campus about a month ago, and is said to be very high on Louisville and deciding between Louisville and Baylor. 

CardNation, it is time to stand up!  Coach Walz is doing great things with this program; top recruits are coming, and choosing Louisville over perennial powerhouses.  As a burgeoning fan base we are on the brink of overtaking the number one spot in fan attendance. 

The future of Louisville Basketball just got a little brighter tonight!  CardNation welcomes Emmonnie Henderson to the best Athletic Department in the country!

( Editor's note...A huge congratulations to Jeff Walz, the University of Louisville basketball staff and players and Cardinal fans for letting it be known that we wanted Emmonnie at Louisville. And a sincere "THANK YOU" and "WELCOME ABOARD!!" to the "Edwardsville Electrifier" -- Emmonnie Henderson! One down and more to come? Stay tuned to CARDINAL COUPLE for the latest and GO CARDS!)

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TUESDAY is Media Day for the WBB team at the KFC YUM! Center. Got a specific question that you'd like asked for one of the players and coaches? Paulie or Timmy the Intern will be glad to pose it!

Please send the question via e-mail to:

cardinalcouple@insightbb.com

It can be anonymous if you want. I need the questions submitted by 10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

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Volleyball win, Soccer falls

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MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Volleyball defeats Cincy in three sets

- Soccer falls in BIG EAST Tournament to USF

- After the recruiting visit: The waiting game

Rucker, Arslanbekova fuel straight set wins

The University of Louisville squad improved to 21-3 and 10-1 in the BIG EAST by knocking off Cincinnati 25-21, 25-13, 25-21 Sunday in Fifth Third Arena. Gwen Rucker and Lola Arslanbekova had 11 kills each in the Cardinal win.

Louisville started slowly in the first game and trailed UC 9-5 before a 5-1 Cardinal run tied the contest at 10-10. Cincinnati was able to regain the lead and Louisville didn't grab their first advantage until 17-16. UC never challenged after that and the Cards outscored the Bearcats to win going away by four.

Maybe a bit deflated by the loss...and definitely punished by the serving of Kaitlynn James, the Bearcats found themselves in a 7-0 hole to begin game two. Louisville pushed that to 13-2 and the only real question left was how many points would the Cards win by. They Cards enjoyed a 22-10 advantage and closed out the second game on a Lola kill to win by 12.

UC did try to make a match of it in the third game...jumping out to a 4-0 lead before the Cards regrouped and tied the contest at 9-9. A brief Bearcat rally gave them a 12-10 edge before the Cards went on a 9-4 rally to put them up 19-16. UofL continued the hot streak and was at set point at 24-18 before settling for the four-point win.

The Cards finally return home after the extended road trip and will face Villanova Friday night in Cardinal Arena at 7 p.m. They'll also host Georgetown Sunday at 2 p.m. in the KFC YUM! Center.

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Louisville Women's Soccer falls in triple overtime to South Florida.

The Cards and the Bulls battled through 110 minutes and two overtimes to a scoreless draw in BIG EAST Tournament action...necessitating a shoot-out third overtime. In the tie-breaker, each team got five penalty kicks to try and score on the opposing goalkeeper. With the scoring at 3-3, USF got the final attempt and USF freshman Olivia Chance sent one past UofL's Chloe Kiefer to break the tie and give USF the win.

The Cards outshot USF 16-13 in regulation and the two overtimes and Kiefer produced seven saves for UofL. Although USF advances to the semi-finals, the game gets recorded officially as a tie.

The Cards (10-4-4) now must wait until Nov.5th. to see if they get a bid to participate in the field of 64 in the NCAA Tournament.

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After one of the most highly anticipated women's basketball recruiting visit weekends in the history of Cardinal womens' hoops, the questions now are:

1) How did the visits go?
2)  When will Coach Walz and the fans know about verbals?
3) What is Louisville's chance of getting all or some of the visitors?

All indicators and reports we've heard indicate that the girls visiting ( Mercedes Russell, Emmonnie Henderson, Alexis Montgomery and Jordan Reynolds) had a great time, got to go to the football game Friday, Coach Walz's birthday party, a haunted house tour, Cardinal basketball scrimmage and many other fun and exciting things. We'll keep an eye on Twitter and Facebook (and we hope you will too) to see what they're saying.

We know that verbals are on the way. We expect Reynolds', Montgomery's and Russell's on or by Tuesday. Henderson may not be far behind. We hope these verbal are in UofL's favor. We also remind you that Imani Wright is still a potential Cardinal. The impact of these five girls, plus already verballed juco Janelle Cannon is huge and would surely give the Cards the #1 recruiting class of 2013.

How will the Cards do? WE have no specific facts, no iron-clad guarantees or insider scoop...but it wouldn't surprise us if Louisville landed all five. The current players on Jeff Walz's squad were very impressed with the visitors and would love to have them join the Cardinal family. 

Even though the coaching staff can't comment about them and the visits...we know that Walz & Company must be very high and sold on each them...otherwise they wouldn't have been here and made the talk of the town.

We know your anxious. We are anticipating big things as well. We've gotten a huge amount of e-mails on the visits and they range from the well-thought out to the ridiculous yet hopeful. We appreciate your thoughts, opinions, comments and predictions.

What it shows us is something we've known for awhile. This is a very passionate, caring and knowledge fan base that wants only the best for UofL sports and love their Lady Cards to death...a fan base that is unmatched in womens' college basketball.

Good things happen to those who wait. Patience is a virtue. WE feel confident UofL will be rewarded very soon.

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Visits the middle part of the recruitment process

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- In recruiting, a visit means your halfway there

Normally, we tend to leave all things bright and beautiful about recruiting to our ace columnist Jenny O'Bryan. She knows it, she follows it and she understands it. And that works well for us. If you've got Eric Clapton available to play the guitar, you hand it to him instead of the guy tending bar.

Today, though. I will talk recruiting. Bear with me.

I had a former college basketball coach give me his take on recruiting once. He broke it down so a sixth-grader could understand it, which worked well for me. I don't think he ever recruited any sixth-graders...but sometimes, you just never know. Anyway, here is the process, according to him.

1) Recognition. You find out about a kid who rarely misses behind the three-point arc. Or is 6'7" in the ninth grade and starting for their high school team. You do your research and, if the prospect looks like one that might fit the needs of your team, you move onto step two, which is...
2) Contact. You let the kid know you're interested. You try and find out if the kid is interested in you. If so, you keep up the contact. You establish contact with the high school coach, the AAU coach, the parents, old Uncle Ben. You watch, you observe. You do more checking, broader-based and comprehensive. Eventually you get to step three which is...

3) Visits. You go see the kid. You invite the kid to see the campus. The NCAA has all kinds of rules and regulations about this. You follow them. Hopefully, you get to step four, which is...
4) Verbal. The kid comes out and says your school is their top choice. It's not official yet, but you're in the driver's seat for step five...
5) Signing. That's when the kid officially signs the letter of intent. A LOI isn't always 100% fool-proof...but it means the kid intends on playing for you.

This weekend, on the University of Louisville campus, step three comes to fruition. In a huge way. Four outstanding girls' high school basketball stars hit the Belknap Campus on recruiting visits. Remember the names. Nothing would please Cardinal WBB fans and Jeff Walz more than to see them move on to step four. For two of them, it's the first visit. For Louisville, it's huge.

This weekend has been talked about on fan boards, in e-mails, general discussions and on multiple web sites for weeks. This weekend is here.

MERCEDES RUSSELL
EMMONNIE HENDERSON
JORDAN REYNOLDS
ALEXIS MONTGOMERY

They're four of the half-dozen or so that Louisville desires. Imani Wright, too. Janelle Cannon already on-board with step four completed.

I have no idea what consists of a recruiting visit in women's college basketball. My best guess is they'll hit the football game versus Cincinnati Friday night. Maybe tailgate with Derty Bird, A-Tayy, Sho and Mo. Probably go see the men's scrimmage Saturday and the women's preliminary warm-ups before that in the KFC YUM! Center.

I'm sure there is "an app" for that amongst the Cardinal coaches, players, staff and impresarios that'll ensure they have a big time. They probably don't need to see me sing "Gimme Three Steps" with Robbie Bartlett's band over at the Parrish House.

Mercedes, Emmonnie, and Jordan did Tennessee last weekend. I didn't hear any verbals. Saving the best for last? We certainly hope so!

Get on the bus!

If I could sit down and talk with each girl, I'd tell them this. Get on the bus and be Cardinal Strong. That Louisville women's basketball fans are not an old, stodgy or antique breed. They're a phenomena that is young and old, fiercely proud of the program, energetic and constantly cheering for players they idolize in the hallmark of college basketball arenas.

They're alive, rapidly growing and sometimes just downright crazy, fanatical, cool, deafening and impassioned....these Cardinal fans. They're amazing. 

I'd tell them that they'd being playing for a coach that cares about them as students as well as athletes and they'd be learning from assistants, staff and trainers that are deeply committed to the concept of Cardinal hoops, personal development, character and success.

I'd tell them about the little girl in Section 114, screaming "Shoni!" at the top of her lungs, the guy up in the stands behind the media table who goes into hysterics every time a foul is called on Bria or Shawnta. I'd tell them about the three little old ladies who never miss a home game and are in their seats the minute after the doors are opened.

I'd tell them about the current Lt. Governor and former mayor who rarely misses a contest and is one of the best referee-baiters in college basketball. 

I'd tell them about the dozens of people who stop me and want to talk Cardinal women's basketball when I attend football games, charitable events, trips to WalMart or even when I'm waiting to order my Big Mac and fries. I'd tell them about the little girl, wide-eyed and grinning from ear-to-ear because Mo knelt down to talk to her, signed her poster and hugged her in the KFC YUM! Center lobby after a game.

I'd tell them about the commitment to excellence that Tom Jurich lives for in the athletic programs each and every day. About the caring professors and academic aides that want to see them succeed. About how Julie Hermann, Louisville's executive, senior, associate athletic director, never misses a home Cardinal women's event and works the crowd with the polished skill of a dignitary or politician.

I'd tell them about the Cardinal Spirit. 

I have a feeling they'll get all that and more this weekend, though. I have a feeling that they're here because they know...and they want to be a part of it.

Enjoy your visit, Mercedes, Emmonnie, Jordan and Alexis. Choose wisely. Choose thoughtfully. 

Choose Louisville. The best college sports town in the nation.

-Paulie
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