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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Tuesday Cardinal Couple -- Forget the Laundry - Let It Rain Recruits!

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- We'll just call her Hurricane Sandy today


(Cardinal Couple columnist Sandy Walker takes us on her weekly stormy deluge through Cardinal Women's Athletics and more this morning. We'll be back later today with coverage on women's basketball recruiting announcements.)



Pass out the Bubble Gum

IT’S Another GIRL!

Emmonnie joins Janelle Cannon

Hoping for Sextuplets

Check out Jenny’s Monday special Cardinal Couple Insert

EMMONNIE HENDERSON COMMITMENT

and again later today for the 5:30

MERECEDES RUSSELLL ANNOUNCEMENT

Janelle

Emmonnie

Don't make a POOR decision!

YOUR PICTURE BELONGS HERE!

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WHIRLWIND TIMES

Thanks to Hurricane Sandy I have been reminded that there truly is no place like home.   Since leaving Louisville for what was to be a short vacation -- wind and rain from my namesake has literally chased me from Washington DC down the east coast to Asheville, NC, through the mountains and for me now safely back home although the car continues its journey on to Houston, TX.   I find it remarkable that while in the same relatively short period of time that I have been holding onto what was to be a local use vacation rental car which now has enough new mileage to need replacement tires and a tune up that in addition to Janelle Cannon Emmonnie Henderson has announced that she will also be calling Louisville home for the next 4 years.  Such a great double treat to also learn of Emmonnie’s announcement and hopefully today additional commitments by what are to be the future stars and adopted family members of Cardinal basketball. Emmonnie is ranked #21 in the latest ASGR report.

I wonder if they yet really and truly understand the virtual rock star status the players and coaches hold in what is truly a southern atmosphere college-team town.  Fans of the Cards begin their attendance in strollers and end it in wheelchairs, yet they keep coming to watch returning and new Cardinal family members such as Emmonnie and Janelle -- and hopefully others which will commit today and beyond.  I hope they do and are able to soak it all in as just as how so much had changed in the short time I was away, their time as a Cardinal player will pass all too quickly but they will always be a member of the Card Nation

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CARD Nation Success


Louisville defeats Cincinnati in Volleyball, Football and Men’s Soccer.

Louisville's current ranked teams: M Basketball 2, W Basketball 9, Football 12, Volleyball 13, M Soccer 14, M Swim/Dive 16, W Swim 24 #L1C4

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SCHOOL RANKINGS

U of L teams hold a separate but uniquely additional joint national record.  Currently Women’s basketball is ranked 9^th, Men’s basketball is ranked 2^nd, Football is ranked 12^th, Volleyball is ranked 12^th, Men’s Soccer holds 14^th while Men’s Swimming/Diving is  16^th and the Women’s team holds the 24^th spot.  We are unaware of any other team in the nation with 7 of its teams holding one of the top 25 national spots. 

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BASKETBALL GAME 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.

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GOLF

The women’s golf team is in 12^th Place of the Alamo Invitational After First Round.

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FIELD HOCKEY

Senior goalkeeper, Erin Conrad,                                                     

was named BIG EAST Conference Field Hockey Defensive Player of the week.  She had 10 saves for the week including six in the 2-1 Providence win.  She added four saves in the 4-3 overtime win against Ohio State.  The 12-7, 3-3 Big East team faces Connecticut Friday in the semifinals which are being played at Trager Stadium.

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MEDIA

CARDINAL COUPLE

Coach Walz is scheduled to talk to the media at noon today.  The players will then be made available at 12: 30.  Paul and possibly Coco will be attending and providing a report

BASKET BALL PRE-SEASON RANKING

Saturday the Associated Press released the current pre-season rankings.  Four returning starters from a 23-10 prior year’s record earned Louisville a 9^th place position and is the highest pre-season projection ever received by the team.  The always tough Big East had 5 teams included in the top 25.  They are Connecticut, Notre Dame, St. John’s and DePaul.

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BASKETBALL EXHIBITION GAME!

The long awaited pre-season basketball tip-off game begins with an exhibition match with Eckerd College on Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 7:00 p.m. The KFC Yum! Center match will be the only exhibition game of the season and admission is free.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

The regular season tip off for women’s basketball is next Friday November 9.   The return match from last year against No. 15 Texas A&M is at the YUM Center! At 7:00 p.m. and is a great opportunity to see the ladies avenge last year’s loss when the 2011 National Champion Aggies benefited not only by playing at home but also did not have to compete against Shoni.   It will also be great to see Monique and Tia again on the court after the long rehab.

This game is a

RED OUT with the goal of filling the house this and every game as we the fans control U of L’s advance into placing the Cards in a position of having the highest average attendance of NCAA women’s basketball.   Make your plans now for the game and bring a friend for what is the best value event for entertainment in the region.  Coach Walz indicated at the tip off luncheon that if you get them in the door for the first time, the team will keep them coming back.    

To help you painlessly get them in the door you can bring several friends to this match for $2.00 a ticket by showing 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.

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VOLLEYBALL

The AVCA coaches poll has moved U of L up to No. 12 in the nation.  Gwen Rucker was named to BIG EAST honor roll for the week. http://www.uoflsports.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/102912aaa.html.   Sunday’s win over Cincinnati gave the Volleycards a perfect record of 7-0 in away matches for the season. They are joined only by Hawaii and Marquette with perfect away match records for the year. Louisville will host a match against Marquette on Nov. 9 in Cardinal Arena.  Prior to the NCAA tournament they will play the final four games of the regular season in Louisville against Villanova on Nov. 2, Georgetown on Nov. 4, Marquette on Nov. 9, and Cincinnati on Nov. 11.


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BEST 2012-2013 BASKETBALL PROGRAMS IN DIVISION I

Yesterday James Bowman of SB Nation / Swish Appeal has again created what it considers to be the best 100 women’s basketball  Division I programs for the 2012-2013 season.  The link indicated are for teams published on Monday ranked as 71-100 http://www.swishappeal.com/2012/10/29/3509016/ncaa-womens-college-basketball-top-programs-71-100. The schedule continues today for teams ranked #41-70, Wednesday for #26-40 Thursday: #11-25 and Friday ends with teams they have ranked #1-10.

What caught my attention is that the rankings are their ranking 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.  I will be checking each day looking for Louisville.  

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FIELD HOCKEY

The Field Hockey team clinched 3^rd place in the Big East Tournament by defeating Providence 2-1. 

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"The logical choice, Jim is that she verbals to Louisville."

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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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Sunday Cardinal Couple -- Mercedes down to two and a look at Sherrone Vails.

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SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Mercedes Russell: Louisville or Tennessee

-Sherrone Vails

The most highly sought after player in the class of 2013 has narrowed her college choices down to two schools. Mercedes Russell, a 6'5" post player from Springfield, Oregon, has announced that she'll be attending college at either Tennessee or Louisville. 

Russell, the #1 player in the 2013 class, is scheduled to visit Louisville between Oct 26-28th. according to several CARDINAL COUPLE sources. Also touring the campus at that time will be Emmonie Henderson, whose stock has been rapidly rising in the 2013 class. 

The UofL women's basketball team will be well into preseason practice by that time, so both girls will be able get a first hand view on how Jeff Walz and the Louisville coaches practice their trade. 

A contrast in schools on Ms. Russell's list. Louisville...rapidly growing in fan base and national recognition...with the state of the art KFC YUM! Center as their home base and top 10 pre-season ranked program for 2012-13 season. An athletic director and associates committed to Title IX and growth in all sports on campus. Often recognized as the "best college sports town" in America, the school plays in the toughest conference in women's basketball...the BIG EAST.

Then there is Tennessee. Rocked by the retirement of legendary Pat Summitt. One of the few schools that give a fair footing to women's basketball in a conference known for SEC football and Kentucky men's basketball. Still with a large attendance base but mired in controversy over the combining of the men's and women's athletic departments and dismissal of key people in women's sports. Once powerful, the Lady Vols torch doesn't burn quite as brightly as in past years. 


Russell is one of those few players that has the ability to be a program changer, a powerful paint-player who works well within a team concept and and take over a game at either end of the court. 

She'd look awfully good in the Cardinal Red and Black.

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( CARDINAL COUPLE has been preview the players on the 2012-13 squad. WE look at junior Sherrone Vails today.) 

At 6'4", the Cardinal center is the tallest member of the team and seems to have the arm-span of a seven-footer. More often than not, Vails can be seen running out to Sean Moth's introduction as the starting center for the Cards and she's on every coaches' list as a shot-blocker and threat underneath the basket. 

A member of the BIG EAST All-Freshman team in the 2010-11 season, Vails has a clearly defined role as one of Jeff Walz's regular front-line players. She's led Louisville in blocked shots since she arrived on campus. 

Vails set the school record for blocked shots in a game with seven against Houston Baptist in her freshman year and also set the Louisville freshman record with 48 blocks. 

Vails is not one-dimensional, however. Possessing a soft shot around the rim, she's a threat to score inside if the defense extends to cut off outside shooting. With her wide-span and height, she is an effective defender and has the ability to block out on both ends of the court.  

As she enters her junior season at Louisville, she's the heir apparent to start in the post for the Cards and...despite averaging only 15 minutes per game as a Cardinal...her presence underneath the basket on both ends of the court can force an opposing coach to think twice about having guards penetrate the paint. 

She probably won't be a scoring leader for Louisville this season, but will be an important part of a Cardinal front-line that uses rotation and substitutions effectively to ensure fresh players and alive legs are on the court at all times. 

We can see Vails providing an important paint presence for the Cards and she is already 11th. all-time in blocked shots at UofL. 

A phrase that Cardinal opponents may want to remember. 

"Shooting inside against Vails...fails."  

THE VAILS TALES:

          GS   GP  MIN  REBS  BLOCKS PTS  AVG
2011-12   26   33  14.4  76     33   103  3.1
2010-11   10   35  16.3  84     48   163  4.7

( Thanks for spending part of your Sunday with Sonja. Although I did very little as far as contributing to today's article, I did come up with the Vails' phrase. Have a great Sunday!) 

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Catching up on women's hoops news

(Not trying to emulate or replace Sandy's laundry day today but here are some recent updates on Louisville women's basketball. 

MONNY NIAMKE

Original 2012 target Monny Niamke will be on campus at UofL by the end of the week and will be taking classes at UofL in the fall. She spent her freshman year at Lindsey Wilson and was the starting point guard. She's also mentioned the possibility of running track her first year at Louisville. Basketball mandates that she sit out a year in that sport because of the transfer but she's eligible for track (or lacrosse, we guess.. but we hope she doesn't decide to take the sport up.) 

SHAWNTA DYER

(Photo by Charlie Springer - Card Game)

The sophomore forward recently had sports hernia surgery and will be out for six to eight weeks. This puts her timeline right around the start of October basketball practices for the squad. 

Dyer came on strong for the Cards at the end of last season and was expected to be a valuable contributor to the Lady Cards on the front line this season. Hopefully, she'll be healed and ready to go for the opener Friday, November 8th against Texas A&M in the KFC YUM! Center

ASIA TAYLOR

Our buddy A Tayy continues to rehab from her hip surgery and is expected to be available for UofL in early December. Whether she'll be up to speed and ready to go against the Kentucky Wildcats in the YUM! on Sunday, Dec 2nd. is unknown yet...but it looks she'll be ready to go for BIG EAST play if all goes as expected. 

Taylor started 20 games for Louisville last season and was second on the squad in rebounding behind Dyer. Tough to imagine not having those two...get well soon ladies! 

MONIQUE REID AND TIA GIBBS

Three survivors. Three teammates.
(Photo by Charlie Springer - Card Game)

Both continue to prepare for the season after sitting out last year with injuries. For Gibbs, it was first the shoulder, then the hip...but she's out and jogging. in her recent apperance at Cardinal Caravan, she indicated she's excited about the upcoming season and ready to get on the court.

Mo Reid is also preparing for October practices and spending a lot of time in the gym shooting and getting in playing shape. She's good to go with the knee that made it necessary for her to sit out the majority of the 2011-12 season and her scoring presence inside will be most welcome.

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SANIYA CHONG AND ALEX HARRIS

Highly ranked Class of 2013 recruits Saniya Chong and Alexandra Harris are scheduled to make visit to UofL. Harris is tentatively scheduled to visit Sept., 15th and we're hearing that the date has also been presented to Chong as a good day to be on campus. Cardinal target Emmonie Henderson has picked Oct. 26th. as the day she'll visit Louisville. 

Plenty of activities for the ladies to take part in on Sept. 15th. Louisville football at PJCS and two volleyball games at their future home...the KFC YUM! Center. 

Russell, Henderson, Chong, Harris...the Cards are on the lists of some very talented and highly regarded high school basketball players...

The four above, along with Niamke, would add greatly to an already very strong 2013-14 Louisville roster. Not saying that all five will be in the red and black. Not saying that Louisville is the leader for each girl's services.

But, when you look at the facilities, the campus, the coaches and staff, fan fervor and the popularity of women's college basketball in our fair city...how do you or why would you say "No?" 

SCHEDULE IS COMING

The women's basketball schedule should be published in a few days. We do know that the UK game is scheduled for Sunday, Dec 2nd. in the KFC YUM Center. (The Cats begin their exhibition season against Bellarmine.) We also know that UofL will start regular season play by hosting powerhouse Texas A&M in the YUM. We'll post the schedule when it becomes available and have it listed on the left side of the site also. 



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