Friday Cardinal Couple -- Three women's teams in action this weekend.

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FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Volleyball, Soccer and Field Hockey in action this weekend. 

"72 hours, six events, a full tank of gas and I'm not
wearing sunglasses" (Photo by Charlie Springer)

If you're a University of Louisville women's sports fan (and would you be here if you weren't?) you've hit the trifecta this weekend. Volleyball plays three times over Friday and Saturday, field hockey gets in two matches on Friday and Sunday and soccer hosts Purdue Friday night. Any fan who attends all six contests deserves a medal of honor from Julie Hermann...Cardinal Couple will have reports on all six contests...so let's get to the preview essentials! 

(Maybe we should get the medal of honor...)

VOLLEYBALL

The Volley Cards take over the KFC YUM! Center Friday night and all day Saturday with three matches in the Active Ankle Challenge. First up are the WKU Hilltoppers at 7:30 p.m. Friday night. No pushover here, the 'Tops' were 31-4 last year and lost to Marquette in the NCAA Tournament. 

Make sure and go early if you're attending this one. They're will be an All-Sport Pre-Game Autograph Session where various student-athletes will be signing autographs in the Main Concourse of the KFC YUM! Center from 5:30-7:00 p.m. A free autograph poster will be distributed. Your chance to get your favorite UofL athletes on ink. UofL is asking that fans just bring one additional item to be signed. Can't have Jordan Trimble wearing out that rocket arm...

The Cards also face Morehead State Saturday at 11 a.m. and Penn State at 7 p.m. A busy weekend for Anne Kordes' net-blasters! 

FIELD HOCKEY

#23 in the nation Cardinal Field Hockey will open their 2012 season with the Sherrill Brakemeier Classic. The Cards first opponent is #21 Northeastern. A perennial C.A.A. power, the Huskies went 14-8 last season and return an all-conference goalie in Lizzie Priest. 

Louisville looked impressive in an exhibition against IU last weekend...getting a goal from freshmen Kendall Weeding and two from Victoria Stratton. Senior Erin Conrad had seven saves in the 3-0 scrimmage win. 

Game time is 6 p.m. Friday. The Cards will face either Northwestern or Miami (OH) on Sunday. Admission is free for all field hockey contest this weekend. 

SOCCER

#18 Louisville soccer hosts Purdue Friday night at 7 p.m. at Cardinal Park. The Cards enter the match off a 2-0 win at Butler last Friday. Casey Whitfield and Angelika Uremovich scored for the 'Ville" in the win. 

Chloe Kiefer notched her 11th career shutout at goalie for Louisville, aided by the strong Louisville defensive backfield. 

Purdue is 2-0 so far this season...with wins over Toledo and Eastern Illinois. 

Admission is free for the match and the first 200 fans entering the gates get a free Louisville Soccer t-shirt. 

We hope you'll get to at least one or more of the games this weekend on campus or at the YUM! 

CARDINAL COUPLE will have full recaps on the madcap action this weekend and the soccer match will be available on CARDS TV for subscribers....in case you're up in your summer igloo in Nome or basking on the beach in Bimini. Have a great weekend and...

LET'S GO CARDS! 
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Sunday Cardinal Couple -- A Tayy a mainstay for Cards

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SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


- Asia Taylor -- Triumph over adversity.


( We continue our look at the 2012-13 University of Louisville basketball team with a look at senior Asia Taylor today.) 

The world was looking pretty bright for Asia Taylor in February 2009. She was averaging 29 points a game at Columbus (OH) Whetstone, was a top 25 recruit and headed to final four bound University of Louisville. 


But, in the space of a few seconds, calamity struck. An broken tibia and dislocated ankle injury that had her sidelined for the rest of the season.


"It was devastating. Basketball was my life. I couldn't imagine not playing." Taylor recalls. 


 A long rehab process that had her arriving on the UofL campus less than 100%. Trial by fire on a short-manned UofL squad that had her on the court for long stretches against more experienced and talented opponents. The ups and downs of being a freshman. 


But there was no "quit" in her. A dedication to getting better. Continued determination to improve her skills in the game she loves. 

She remained an important role player through her sophomore and junior years. The talent displayed in her high schools days began to re-surface. The ankle was getting better, the BIG EAST opponents were seeing the board-dominating, inside-scoring and lock-down defense night after night and she was assuming a leadership role with a young bunch of Cardinals that were jelling. She was the second leading rebounder on the 2011-12 squad. 


Then, things changed again.


A sore hip in June 2012 after a day of individual practice. Continued pain the next day. Diagnosis, scans and the determination that surgery would be necessary. Another roadblock in the path.


Some players don't come back from hip surgery. Some find their skills diminished and are never the same.

Asia Taylor will survive. She'll be back, full of the same  fight and desire. 


Just one day after surgery, making an apperance at an Elite skills camp on crutches. No sitting around feeling sorry for herself. Basketball is her life. There was basketball going on. She was going to be there. 


And when she returns, she'll be a working cog in a UofL front line machine that is as strong and deep as it has been since Jeff Walz arrived on the UofL campus. 


There are bad breaks in life. The true test is how you comeback from them. Fight or flight? 

Asia Taylor is a fighter. Asia Taylor is a conqueror. Asia Taylor is a survivor. Time and time again. She probably won't join the 1000-point club at UofL. Most likely won't receive BIG EAST All-Conference awards her senior year. But, she's made a mark on the UofL womens' basketball program. And, will continue to.


If you "google" the word Dedication, though, we'd like to see a picture of her come up next to the definition. 


She's earned it. And keeps on earning it. Dedication to the team. Dedication to the cause. 

Those of you who know me know that it's no secret she's my favorite player on this UofL team. Has been since she got on campus. I've seen the young lady who loves Disney movies and ham and pineapple pizza grow into a confident, self-assured woman who produces, writes and stars in her own videos. I may never be able to walk in Kroger again without chuckling when I walk down the cereal aisle. Video below.


A Tayy31 goes shopping


My heart beats a little faster when she scores, enters a game, grabs a rebound. I groan just a little when she turns the ball over or fails to block out. Rejoice in her triumphs and share the sadness when things don't go so well. 


It's the final go-around for #31 as a college basketball player. But far from the final impact that A-Tayy will have on the world she encounters after graduation.  


Go get 'em, A Tayy!


Have a super Sunday readers and...L1C4 !


Sonja




THE TAYLOR TIMELINE


Games Played  Games Started Points Rebounds  Avg


09-10   31            10               133       82           4.3
10-11   31            18               120       103         3.9
11-12   32            20               180       152         5.6
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FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE UofL advances to Great Eight...Clark-Heard headed to WKU...A WBB Sweet Sixteen preview

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FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-UofL defeats #1 seed Michigan State to advance to Great Eight


-Michelle Clark-Heard accepts head coaching job at Western Kentucky.


-NCAA WBB Sweet Sixteen starts Saturday


How about the University of Louisville men's basketball team! Advancing to the Great Eight in the NCAA Tournament with a 57-44 win over #1 seed Michigan State Thursday night. 

Chane went insane in the final
twenty for the CARDS! 

I know, CARDINAL COUPLE is primarily a women's sports site and there will be about a gazillion articles out there about this win...but we're proud of the guys and how about freshman Chane Behanan tonight for Pitino's players? Huge second half for the Bowling Green/Cincinnati guy and Gorgui Dieng with what seemed like a dozen blocked shots.


 L1C4, baby!  


A month ago, few would have predicted this run for UofL. Reeling from defeats and seemingly having no dependable scorers on the squad, the Cards have come together and are on a seven game win streak. Sweet revenge over a MSU squad who knocked the Cards out of the running for the Final Four a couple of years ago. 


A big salute, fellas, from CARDINAL COUPLE and keep it going. Louisville faces Florida at 4:30 Saturday for a chance to go to New Orleans and the Final Four. Pitino vs. Donovan. Should be great! 


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Michelle Clark-Heard has been named the newest head women's basketball coach at Western Kentucky University. The Cardinal assistant was with Jeff Walz for the past five years at UofL and head coach at Kentucky State for two years before that. 

She faces a rebuilding job in Bowling Green...but she is widely known out on the recruiting circles and should be able to land some of Kentucky Girls High School's best to play for her and the Toppers. 


WE'VE watched Michelle run practices before at UofL and there is no doubt that she knows the game and how to get the most out of the players while teaching them important fundamentals at the same time. She's the second Walz assistant to leave the next and take a head coaching job. We love her self-stated philosophy on basketball...get the ball and get down the court and score. 


WE hate to see her go..but are happy and proud that she's back in the main spotlight again. She's the second assistant that has left the Walz nest and gone off to build her own. That speaks volumes about the success of the program and the genius of Jeff. 


Congratulations, Michelle. Now, get Louisville back on that Hilltopper schedule! 


LINK below.
Michelle Clark-Heard named head WBB Coach at WKU

Also, a clip of her acceptance ceremony below:


Clark-Heard is introduced and speaks at WKU

(Thanks to our readers for providing these links!) 


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The field of sixteen teams that have advanced in the NCAA Women's College Basketball tournament has quite a few expected attendees and a few surprises. 


WE take a look at the finalist and give a little commentary on who will get to the Great Eight in the games being played in Des Moines, Fresno, Raleigh and Kingston over Saturday and Sunday.


BAYLOR VS GEORGIA TECH 

The Baylor Lady Bears are the #1 team in the country. They have the probable player of the year in Brittany Griner. They haven't lost yet in 36 games. We don't see that changing yet. Georgia Tech has had an easy path to the Sweet Sixteen with wins over Sacred Heart (how a Louisville Catholic girls high school got in there..we'll never know) and a Georgetown team that had underachieved the last half of the season. Baylor fans will travel en masse to Des Moines...and they won't be disappointed. 


KANSAS VS TENNESSEE

Our bracket predictions were way off in this one...expecting to see DePaul and Delaware square off in this one. Give Kansas credit. They come out of an #11 seed and from a tough WBB conference in the BIG 12. They got it done against Nebraska and knocked off Elena Della Donna and Delaware to earn their spot. They face a Tennessee team on a mission, though, and the Lady Vols have taken care of business impressively so far against high-scoring UT-Martin and DePaul. The Lady Vols should continue to put notches in the "W" column and most likely head to the Great Eight and Baylor


STANFORD VS SOUTH CAROLINA

Stanford is Sonja's pick to win the NCAA WBB Tournament and they haven't disappointed so far with a convincing win over Hampton and out-muscling WVU. The Ogwumike sisters are a great one-two punch and they should breeze against a South Carolina team that surprised us by getting as far as they did. Give Dawn Staley a lot of credit for getting the Gamecocks this far...they handled E.Michigan and Purdue. Grant, Stevens and Brewer are great players..but the bus stops here for the SEC school. 


ST. JOHN'S VS DUKE

BIG EAST regular season runner-up St. John has talent, speed, great team play, Nadirah McKenith and an excellent coach in Kim Barnes Arico. They survived a close scare against Creighton and looked good against Oklahoma. They face a Duke team that has been dominant in the tournament and may have the best freshman center in the nation in Elizabeth Williams. Wins over Samford and Vandy came easily -- even in 90 degree heat in Nashville. They'll face a much tougher task in St. John's and we see this one as too close to call. I like the Red Storm...Sonja says Duke.


NOTRE DAME VS ST.BONAVENTURE

We're seeing the Irish as a Final Four team and we've raved about Diggins, Novosel, Peters, Mallory and the rest of Muffet McGraw's team all season. They've been their usual outstanding juggernaut so far against Cal and Liberty and should handle the upstart Bonnies of St. Bonaventure. Gotta admire what St. Bonaventure has accomplished so far in the tournament..but this isn't Florida-Gulf Coast or Marist that they'll meet in Raleigh. 


TEXAS A&M VS MARYLAND

Another one that we feel is too close to call. Maryland escaping against an inspired Louisville squad after sinking the Navy. Texas A&M is the defending NCAA Champs and after abolishing Albany they had their hands full with Arkansas...escaping at the buzzer. We like the play of Laurin Mincy and Brenda Frese is a quality coach. We also expect Alyssa Thomas to have a much better game than she had against the Cards. Sydney Carter gets the job done for the Aggies and this one just might go to the final buzzer. 


CONNECTICUT VS PENN STATE.

Geno has the Huskies rolling...winning the BIG EAST Tournament and romping over Prairie View and Kansas State in the NCAA Tournament. We see them putting a pretty significant beating on the Nittany Lions in Kingston. Penn State has had a nice run in knocking off UTEP and LSU...but we felt they were over-ranked as a #4 seed and they'll travel back to Happy Valley after Saturday's game...not so happy.


KENTUCKY VS GONZAGA

UK has had a roller coaster NCAA Tournament ride so far...struggling against #15 seed McNeese State and getting very lucky to advance against Green Bay. But, they keep winning. Gonzaga surprised some by knocking off Rutgers and then sending Miami back to the beach...they must be respected and we can see this being another game that could be undecided with a minute to go. A'dia Mathies is, by far, the best player on the court in this one. We'll go with the underdog here, though. One has to advance to the Great Eight, right? The Zags get lucky against Kentucky. Cardinal fans know all about the Zags in post-season play. Even though this one isn't in Spokane, we can see the Bulldogs barking one last time in the Sweet Sixteen.
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Harvard risk taking pays off against St. Johns

I always take an interest in players, coaches or employers who operate outside of the box and who are willing to take a risk of doing something different such as continuing to allow a player to be on the floor with 2 fouls in the first 1/2 or the football coach who goes for it on 4th down.

This makes me curious if Coach Walz will run our normal defensive game against St. Johns today or follow the example of the gamble taken by Harvard women's coach Kathy Delaney-Smith whose team was 5-5 at the time of their December 22, 2011 meeting with St. Johns. She gambled that St. Johns's could not win while shooting only outside jump shots and in doing so instructed her players to sit back in a tight zone for the entire game which included not defending against the three while packing all of the gaps so the drive was not available.

From the field St. Johns hit only 27-77 for a total of 56 points for the game. Fortunately for Harvard, they were able to score 63 points which produced their first win over a BCS conference opponent this season.

Sandy W.

Christmas Wishes

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SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Christmas Wishes

-A note from CARDINAL COUPLE

On this Christmas Eve day, we wish all of our readers the best of good cheer, holiday greetings and the spirit of the season. While you're dashing around for those last minute gifts or preparing for your holiday meal, remember the true intent and meaning of the season...that many years ago, in a land far away...a savior was born unto you.

We've come up with some things we'd like to leave under a few trees tomorrow and we'll share them with you here.

For UofL fans...Wins galore in the next few months! Especially one over that rival 80 miles east on New Year's Eve day. Also, a successful trip to Charlotte and a chance to watch the Football Cards defeat North Carolina State. A romp through the BIG EAST for the LADY CARDS in women's basketball and the joy and comraderie we share when we all get together and join our voices in unison.  

The Lady Cards basketball team...Freedom from injuries the rest of the season and the will, desire, motivation and ability to go out and play hard every night. For some of our favorites on the team...

Becky Burke...Continued success from three point range and a great last semester as a Card.

Monique Reid...successful surgery and a chance to do it all again next year.

Tia Gibbs...complete rehab and a shoulder stronger than the Bionic Man's.

Asia Taylor...a stocking full of rebounds, points and unlimited ham and pineapple pizzas.

Shoni Schimmel...more Sportscenter Top 10 moves and the sound of the net swishing on perfect three point attempts. And, many trips to Sapporo.

Jeff Walz...a team that continues to grow, improve and sends him deep into the NCAA Tournament. And a brand new, black sweater vest.

For Sandy Pearsall...girls who can clear the bases with one swing, a strong armed pitching staff and a dome over Ulmer Stadium.

For Anne Kordes...one more great year from Lola, success on the recruiting trail and full houses in Cardinal Arena and the KFC YUM! Center. 

For Justine Sowry...Strength at the net, fleet footed girls with accurate sticks and packed stands at Trager Stadium.

For Karen Ferguson Dayes...Another deep run into the NCAA Tournament and a brand new facility to share with the men's soccer team. 

For Mark Beckham... Success with a strong women's tennis team in 2012 and some long, overdue recognition for the teams and chemistry he creates.

For "Coach K" Kelly Meyers Rothberg. Birdies and Eagles for her golfers and a personalized golf cart with cable and wi-fi.

For Laura Aubrey. Trophies to put in her new rowing facility and strong arms, strong backs and calm waters.

For Kellie Young. Talented recruits to replace her graduated seniors and fans in the stands at the lacrosse field.

For Ron Mann. Sprinters success, throwers triumphs, distance runners domination and vaulters victories.

For Arthur Albiero. Big splashes, perfect dives and a continuation of Cardinal superiority in the water in the BIG EAST and NCAA.

And, lest we forget the men...huge wins and great recruits for Rick Pitino, Dan McDonnell, Charlie Strong, Rex Ecarma, Ken Lolla, Mark Crabtree and all the guys who don the Cardinal Red and Black and strive to succeed.

Finally, for Cardinal women's athletics as a whole...the recognition and respect for one of the best athletic programs in the nation. Whether it's Haley Jurich corralling a cross pass, Nita Slaughter grabbing a rebound or Margret Harris sprinting across the line first, we 're appreciative and keep the good results coming. Our thanks and gratitude to Tom Jurich and Julie Herrmann for building a program that is the best in college athletics.

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Finally, as we roll into Christmas-time, we'd like to give thanks for the many people who have helped take CARDINAL COUPLE from an idea and new kid on the block to a thriving and surviving information source that receives over 2000 hits a day.

To our readers, thank you for the viewings, suggestions, responses and support. Without you, this would all be meaningless. We like to describe ourselves as "the fan's voice for UofL women's sports" so, as you can see, it all begins with you! Sometimes we disagree, sometimes we get frustrated and sometimes...we sit in front of this computer and have no earthly idea on what we should write about and cover.

You guide us on. You keep us fresh, timely, on our toes and pick us up and carry us to the finish line. Couldn't do it without...wouldn't want to do it without you. We adore you. Stay with us on this merry and exciting dash through the land of Cardinal women's athletics.

Thank you.

To our sole sponsor, Panera Bread. Thanks for the support. You are our only sponsor for a reason. We respect and 
patronize quality. Whenever we've extended our hand, you've filled it.

We'd also like to thank, our mentors.

Charlie, Shannon and Howie. In the early beginnings, you were there for us before CARDINAL COUPLE ever existed. From early on, with Sonja's thoughts and observations that you posted on Cardinal Sports Report, UofL Card Game and Cardinal Dominance, we cut our teeth and soaked up your experience, thoughts, suggestions and encouragement. When it was time to "go out on our own" you were there with support and backing. You guys are the best.

To the athletic department at UofL, we also humbly extend our gratitude and appreciation.

Coaches, you've shared with us and patiently answered and explained what you do and why you do it. We appreciate it.

The folks at Sports Information have been invaluable in providing access, knowledge, help and support. There is no collective group out there that is better than Kenny, Kim, Lori, Nancy, Rocco, Garret, Sean, Jared and Ira when it comes to providing athletic information. Some of what you do may go unnoticed at times, but you provide an important and essential service and do it professionally and very well. The time and efforts you put in shows. 

Finally, our contributing writers. From the early days when David Watson first offered to send a few thoughts our way to now...with talented, thoughtful and passionate writers Jenny O' Bryan and Sandra Walker on board...thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We look forward to your 2012 contributions, the sharing of dialogue and ideas, those e-mail exchanges that can go from hilarious and gossipy to serious and intense. WE have no idea how we got so lucky to get you on board...but, strap in and hold on...you're along for the ride and behind the wheel as we go forth and continue to try and provide our readers our takes and views of Louisville Womens' Athletics. 

We promise to try and provide, you...the reader...the best we can offer in Louisville Women's athletics in 2012. Your feedback, comments, advice, tips and dialogue is very important to us. You are fans. We are too. This is the fan voice for Cardinal women's athletics. Don't let us down. We promise to do the same. We'll be here, getting stronger every day and will count on you to keep us growing, healthy and relevant. Sounds like fun, eh?

Merry Christmas, readers !! God bless each and every one.

We'll be back in a few days with tales from the road and featured articles from our writers.  
Paul and Sonja Sykes
CARDINAL COUPLE
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Springer delivers the goods to UofL...What is a fan?

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CARDINAL COUPLE WEDNESDAY EDITION

-Biggest Fan of the Big East gives UofL big check

-The Sportsman's Creed

Steve Springer recently received the honor of being selected "Biggest Fan of The BIG EAST". For his efforts, he got a brand new Volvo S60. Another honor, a check for $10,000 for the University of Louisville.

Steve presents the check to Jeff Walz.

You can read all about it and see pictures of the event over at http://www.uoflcardgame.com/ . Steve is the son of UofL Card Game's owner Charlie Springer. Charlie was basically responsible for getting CARDINAL COUPLE started...suggesting that more attention needed to be paid to UofL Women's Sports. Sonja, who was writing for Charlie at Card Game at the time, pestered Paul into looking into creating a web site. Although Sonja writes very little for the site(s) anymore...preferring to assume a managerial role..she did comment on Springer's achievements:

"What Steve did is more than just getting a nice car and check for UofL. It's a testimony to love and dedication for a passion. There are "Steve Springer's" supporting every D1 program out there. The fan aspect of college athletics doesn't receive the press and popularity that the players and coaches do...but it is still a major part of any sports program at any University. Steve's efforts show us that if you dream it and believe it...you can achieve it." 

cards*****cards*****cards*****cards*****cards*****cards*****cards*****cards*****cards*****


A fan is one element of four distinct elements in any athletic event...joining the players, coaches and officials. We give you today the Sportsman's Creed...a short but very true look into the ideals and guidelines that ideally surround the thing we know as collegiate sporting events...

THE PLAYERS

-They live clean and play hard. They play for the love of the game.
-They win without boasting, they lose without excuses. They never quit
-They respect officials and coaches. They accept decisions without question.
They never forget that they represent their school and organization.

THE COACHES

-They inspire in their players a love for the game and the desire to compete and win.

-They teach that it is better to lose fairly than to win unfairly.

-They lead by example...showing the players and fans to respect the officials and the game.


-They are the type of people that they want their players to be.

THE OFFICIALS

-They know the rules

-They are fair and firm in all decisions. They call them as they see them.

-They treat the players and coaches courteously and demand the same treatment for themselves.

-They know the game is for the players and let them have the spotlight.

THE FANS


Fans support the program. In good or bad times.



-They respect the players, the coaches and the officials.
-They appreciate a good play, no matter who makes it.
-They know that ultimately...the school gets the praise or blame for their conduct.
-They support the program...in good times or bad...and recognize the need for more 'sportsmen' and fewer 'sports'.

Most of you reading this column fall into one of the four categories above. Do you fit the criteria for your category?

One of the hardest things that we have encountered as the co-owners of CARDINAL COUPLE is to look objectively at sporting events as "the fan's voice". It's easy to get caught up in rumors, hearsay, self-perceived issues and negativity. It's tough to adhere to some of the guidelines when a call goes against your team, a player fails to live up to the expected performance or your team is in the midst of a losing streak. Still, it's important to remember that what we discuss and cover here is SPORTS...There are much more serious things going on in our world.  

We invite you to join us in trying to be an objective and rational fan in the upcoming season. Be ready to deliver praise where-ever it is due and slow to heap criticism on the opposing coaches and players. Try to refrain from blaming officials for setbacks. It's a tough thing to do, no doubt...but it's a challenge that can be accomplished if you try. Steve Springer overcame many obstacles and setbacks in his own and family's life to dedicate himself to supporting his team, his fan status. You can be just as productive. Cheer proudly!