Softball, Basketball and the Big East

Softball takes two.

Amanda Zahui visits Louisville.

Big East Coach of the Year leaves St. Johns.

Softball headed to New Jersey and took care of business on Saturday, winning both, 6-3 and 6-1.  Taner Fowler had a week’s worth of play in just two games hitting 6-8 with 3 home runs on the day. 

Game one, 6-3

Taner Fowler went fence
three times Saturday.

The Cardinals took an early lead in this one with a Taner Fowler two-run homer in the second.   Seton Hall got one back in the bottom of the second, and the bottom of the third took the lead 3-2.     Watching my twitter feed, the softball Cards had me nervous in this one, not regaining the lead until the top of the 6^thwith another Fowler home run, this one a solo shot, tying the game.  The Cards went on to score another 3 runs in the 6^th.  This proved enough offense for the game and the Cards sealed the victory.  Senior Tori Collins (20-1) got the win and sophomore Caralisa Connell got the save, her second on the year, holding the Seton Hall Pirates scoreless in the bottom two innings. 

Game two, 6-1

The Cardinals took a 4-0 lead in the top of the second, and never looked back.  The Pirates never threatened.  Fowler hit her third home run of the day, ninth of the season, in the top of the 3^rd bringing the score to 5-0.  The Pirates notched one in bottom of the third, which would prove to be the only run in the game for them.  The Cards scored once more in the 5^th, bringing the final score to 6-1. 

As Mark mentioned yesterday, Softball Cards return home for their final home stand of the season this Saturday against Georgetown.  Get down to Ulmer Stadium at 2:00 on Saturday for a double-header and/or 1:00 on Sunday.  The softball team is currently ranked 9^th in the country and should feel the fan support and love this weekend as they close at home for this fantastic season.  Currently, the Cardinals are 42-2, 13-2 Big East.  We’ll see you next weekend at Ulmer. 


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

Amanda Zahui and Monny Niamke, both international basketball players will be visiting Louisville this upcoming week.   Cardinal Couple readers may remember Monny Niamke from recruiting news last summer. 

Niamke is from France and signed her NLOI to play with the Cardinals in 2011.  Due to academic issues she was ineligible to play last season and spent the year at Lindsay Wilson getting herself eligible, presumably.   Niamke played in 32 of 33 games on the season and had a FG% of .446, 3pt FG% of .351, FT% of .660.  Niamke averaged 3.8 rebounds/game, 7 blocks on the season, 52 steals and created 95 assists to 91 turnovers on the season. 

Amanda Zahui hails from Sweden.  Coach Walz reportedly was in Sweden a little over a month ago visiting Zahui.  Sounds like the visit paid off as Louisville is among 3 programs vying for her services.  Washington and Minnesota, along with Louisville will each get a visit from the Swede this upcoming week, as reported by Cardinal Couple a few days ago.  

Zahuia is a big-bodied 6’3.  Her body type looks tailor made for the Big East.  She looks to have the ability to clog up the lane defensively.  In an email exchange I had about two weeks ago with a Swedish sports columnist he suggested Zahui has a good shot, can shoot mid-range shots as well as from beyond the arc.  For a big body, she also shoots very well from the free throw line.  He went on to say  “although big, her best post moves are based on her being pretty quick and agile. She's quick around the rim, but she's not very good running up and down the floor.” 

Guestimates on my end are that Zahui will be on campus some time between Monday-Wednesday, for a 48-hour visit, before she heads off to Washington for her last of three visits. 

Cardinal fans, we should know about both of these young players in the next few weeks as the signing period ends May 16.


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

Finally, Kim Barnes-Arico, most recent Big East Coach of the Year has left St. John’s to take a position with Michigan.  Barnes-Arico spent the last 10 years with the Red Storm culminating in finishing second in the Big East this year behind Notre Dame.  Barnes-Arico and her Red Storm also ended a 99 game home winning streak by Connecticut this past season.  She and her team finished the season with a loss in the Sweet Sixteen, the deepest post season run the Red Storm have ever had. 

This has to be a huge loss to the St. John’s faithful.  It definitely is a loss to the Big East.  Barnes-Arico was one of my favorite coaches in the Big East to watch.  I am sad to see her leaving, but happy that she is making a decision and change that is good for her and her family.   Michigan hit the jackpot with this hire, I believe.  Good luck in the Big 10, Coach.  We here at Cardinal Couple wish you well and much success!

Lacrosse falls to Northwestern

.
THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


SIGN UP FOR THE CARDINAL COUPLE NCAA WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT CHALLENGE! 


-Lacrosse battles Northwestern


-What's up with Monny


-KY Girls high school basketball tournament


That's right, readers! CARDINAL COUPLE is having a NCAA Women's Tournament Challenge!! Amaze your friends, baffle your enemies and impress the in-laws with your knowledge of women's college basketball! Or, just enter for the fun of it and, hey...it's free!


Hosted by Yahoo and with commissioner Mark Schneider, a regular CARDINAL COUPLE reader and all about man-around-town, you can win a 
$25 Panera Card if your bracket is the best! Click the link below to get started and registered.


 vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvLINKvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv


Cardinal Couple NCAA Women's Tourney Challenge


^^^^^^^^^^^^^LINK^^^^^^^^^^^^^^




A couple of things you'll need to get started:


OUR GROUP ID# is:   814
OUR PASSWORD is:   ladycards


You can sign in with Facebook, Google or 
Yahoo! accounts if you want and it easy to check your results and standings. WE'LL also provide regular updates. You DON'T have to use these if you don't want to...but they make it pretty easy to get started.


E-mail us if you have any difficulties and we'll forward them to our Commish (who is monitoring the massive "L" spotlight shining atop the KFC YUM! Center over the fair Louisville skies).


Have fun, choose wisely and always use your turn signals when changing lanes. 


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




The University of Louisville Lacrosse squad hosted last year's national champions Northwestern on a windy Wednesday at the Lacrosse Stadium on the UofL campus but came up on the short end of a 16-7 score. 


Kellie Young's young squad got off to a good start against the Wildcats, battling them to a 4-2 score before a late first half 7-0 run gave Northwestern a 11-2 edge at halftime. 

The Cards battled strongly against the Wildcats in the final half of action...playing them to a 5-5 tie in the second half. 


Eleni Kozas led Louisville with three goals. Jamie Redding added two for the Cards. 


With the loss, Louisville is now 1-3 on the season, with losses to Ohio State and Old Dominion and a win over Longwood. Louisville departs on a five-game road trip next, starting with a match against Presbyterian on Saturday.


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

Point guard from France having a
impressive season for Lindsey Wilson

CARDINAL COUPLE writer Jenny sends this link about UofL WBB target Monny Niamke, who is playing her freshman season at Lindsey Wilson. WE don't like the fact that she had to sit out the first half of a game because of a violation of team rules...but we can't say much more on that because we don't know exactly what she did. The article doesn't portray her as a "lock" to show up on the UofL campus this fall, either...but a source down on the Belknap Campus assures us that she'll be in Cardinal Red and Black.


Monny producing for Lindsey Wilson


Also, in Lady Cards related info, Monique Reid reports that her knee is at 70%. A cause for celebration. 



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


Action began today in Bowling Green, KY in the Kentucky Girls High School Basketball Tournament. 

--Louisville Butler had a rougher time than expected against Glasgow but eventually won 54-49.


--Lexington Paul Dunbar pulled the upset over Boone County 72-70 in overtime. Boone's Sydney Moss had 41 in the loss. 


--Louisville Manual knocked off Perry County Central 50-41. 


-- Montgomery County knocked off Muhlenberg County 60-43. Macie Spencer had 18 for the winners. 

Louisville 2013 commits Makayla Epps and Kyvin Goodin-Rogers play tomorrow in first round action in the annual Sweet Sixteen. They face Walton-Verona at 1:30 Thursday. 


Thanks to CARDINAL COUPLE "detective" Mark Schneider for the live broadcast link below...


Girls High School Basketball Tournament

.
..
...

.
..

Lindsey Wilson tipoff changed to 3 p.m.

.
TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Lady Cards will go at 3 p.m. Sunday against Blue Raiders

-Conrad named BIG EAST Field Hockey Defensive player of the Week

-Women's Golf tied for 7th. in Vegas

To accomodate the BIG EAST Women's Soccer Quarterfinal match involving
Louisville at Cardinal Park, the University of Louisville Women's Basketball
exhibition start time against Lindsey Wilson has been moved from 2 p.m. to 
3 p.m. The Soccer Cards get the winner of the Providence vs. Rutgers match

Let's look at the Blue Raiders:



Rainey was an NAIA All-American last year

Lindsey Wilson returns two starters from a team that went 24-9 last year. Star forward and former Lady Card Ashley Rainey averaged 21.1 points for LWC last year. Also returning is 5'9" guard Tiffany Williams, who averaged 5.9 points. 

The Blue Raiders finished second in the Mid-South Conference in the 2010-11 season and made it to the 2nd round of the NAIA National Tournament in Jackson, TN...where they lost to Azusa Pacific University. 

They've been ranked #16 in the NAIA preseason poll for 2011-12. Two other Mid-South members made the poll...Shawnee State (OH) has been picked to finish fourth and Campbellsville (KY) ninth. The Blue Raiders  and picked to finish second in the Mid-South behind Shawnee State.

The Blue Raiders will look for help from an impressive incoming freshman class. Monny Niamke, originally headed to Louisville, will try to lock down the other guard spot. The 5'5" native of Rouen, France is a steady ball-handler and can knock down the three. Lindsey Wilson also signed some impressive height...with 6'3" Ranika Rose, out of Niceville, FL. and 6'3" Caitlyn Radeck, from Franklin, OH. LWC will play Berea the day before scrimmaging the Lady Cards. 

Rainey will be the player the Lady Cards will need to contain to secure an opening win. WE'LL be watching with interest on how well Monny plays...we're assuming she's still on schedule to join the Lady Cards after her freshman season at Lindsey Wilson.

Louisville is offering a $2 admission ticket to those who wear Halloween costumes to the game in the KFC YUM! center and there will be a halftime parade for those who don Halloween outfits. 

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

Cardinal field hockey goalkeeper Erin Conrad has been named BIG EAST Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season. The award comes after the Cards shut out Providence and Indiana last week. Conrad, a redshirt junior from Wilkes-Barre, PA., had three saves against each opponent. The Cards are 10-7 on the season and Conrad has six shutouts so far this year.

Louisville ends their regular season on the road against Northwestern on Oct. 30th.

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

Women's golf sits tied for seventh after the first round of the Las Vegas Collegiate Challenge. The Cards shot a team total of 288...11 strokes off leader UC Davis.

Freshman Emily Haas leads the Cards with a 69...six strokes off the leader. Maria Castellanos scored a 70, Katie Petrino carded a 74, Anna-Karin Ljungstrom toured the 18 with a 75 and Tara Lyons finished with a 76.

Three Cardinal golfers are participating as individuals...Maike Klein reporting in with a 74 and Candice Wiley and Sara Karlsson firing 79's.

36 more holes to negotiate for the Cardinal chippers. They begin play today at 7:30 a.m. Vegas time.




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

Just in case you were wondering about her, Lady Card and Atlanta Dream superstar is back in Europe...playing for Turkey's Fenerbache again. She's teamed up with WNBA legend Penny Taylor on the roster, which also includes several European stars. Angel did nothing to disappoint in her first game....scoring 19 points in a lopsided win for her squad.

McCoughtry can ill afford not making the trek across the Atlantic...since she's one of the highest paid players in women's Euroball. Should be interesting next WNBA season to see how much the Dream are willing to shell 
                             out to keep Angel... 




nochoiceisachoice

Niamke to Lindsey Wilson...Rainey receives honor...Mercedes reportedly seen on campus

.
WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE REPORTS:

-Lady Cards Recruit to go NAIA route

-Ashley Rainey receives honor

-Mercedes sighting

-We think it over

According to Jeff Walz, speaking on the radio show Cardinal Insider, French point guard Esther Monny Niamke did not qualify academically and would be attending a NAIA school in Kentucky and would not be with the Lady Cards next season but will be the season after that. WE have learned that Monny will attend Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, KY. If Monny enrolls for the 2011-12 season, she would be a sophomore at UofL in the 2012-13 season. We're not sure if she would have to sit out a season after transferring to UofL after playing a season of NAIA basketball..we know players don't have to if they transfer from an NCAA school to NAIA...but going the other direction...little help here? Thanks to CARDINAL COUPLE reader Kenny S. for the scoop!

This relieves a little of the congestion that the Lady Cards back court was facing in 2011-12...and probably means that Walz won't have to bring in campus traffic control personnel for practices this fall. Ever seen those guys and gals direct traffic after a home football game? Ever watched a Three Stooges movie? We're

hoping Monny has a great NAIA season and comes to Louisville ready to roll.

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

Speaking of Lindsey Wilson, a former Lady Card had a banner season there last year as a sophomore and has had her jersey put on display in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame's Ring of Honor in Knoxville, TN.

Ashley Rainey joins an elite group of over 100 players' jerseys that will hang in the ring. There are high school and college All-Americans displayed from the 2001-11 season.

The Ring of Honor has become one of the most popular exhibits at the Hall of Fame. Fans can recognize the acheivements of young basketball players in the sport there.

Rainey led the Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders last season with 21.1 points and 10.4 rebounds per game and was named a NAIA All-American First Team member. She left UofL midway through her freshman season in 2009-10.

It also leads to the question of whether Rainey will re-test the waters of the NCAA DI ranks again in the future. One thing is for certain, Lindsey Wilson's WBB team is going to be a tough opponent for anyone in the upcoming season if both Rainey and Niamke are out there ballin' .

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

WE'VE received several unconfirmed e-mails that Mercedes Russell did, in fact, pay a unofficial visit to the UofL campus earlier this week. Unofficial = parents paid for it...No official word out of the UofL camp about this and no statement we've been able to find from Mercedes on how it went.

Mexico to Louisville and then back to Oregon...an interesting way to spend your summer vacation from high school. Beats mom and dad driving you to summer camp or Aunt Jenny's farm for a week.

Also, a special thanks to CARDINAL COUPLE reader Jenny O. for her thoughts and news on the Mercedes sighting. You can read Jenny's thoughts in the comments section below...

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

One of the things we run into when we get reports on UofL women's sports activity via anonymous e-mails is the accuracy and veracity of the reports. We try to get official acknowledgement or verification from either the athlete, program or University but some times that doesn't happen. We understand that. Sometimes, the University cannot comment on these items. Sometimes, they're way too busy to take time to offer an explanation to a website. We have a tough time in the decision making process on whether to report the activities or news. If we receive multiple reports on something and if these reports include comments from a trusted source, we'll go with the story

Sometimes, stories that are out there never make it to these pages out of deference to situations, respect and courtesy.

We're not trying to become a gossip site or take a National Enquirer path here at CARDINAL COUPLE. You, the readers, have told us innumerable times that you want information of UofL women's sports. We try to do this from a fan's viewpoint and we figure that as fans, the news of future, present or past Cardinal women's athletes is of interest. We always welcome corrections to stories we offer here and have received such over the months...including official clarifications, requests and reports out of UofL coaches and staff.
.

Getting to know...Esther Monny Niamke....Dream fall to Lynx.

.
Monday, MONDAY, MONDAY...(at Cardinal Couple)

-Esther Monny Niamke

-Dream stumble at home against Lynx

Esther Monny Niamke will compete
for a guard spot with the Lady Cards.

One of the University of Louisville's women's basketball newcomers for 2011-12 will be Esther Monny Niamke. We're going with this version of her name (we've seen it several ways) until UofL comes up with the official 2011-12 roster and then we'll see how it's listed there. No matter what you call her, she's been an impact player in France for several years and will compete for a guard position this fall for the Lady Cards.

We found this article about her on ladyhoop.com and wanted to share it with our readers:

(On pregame rituals)

"I do not have things I can describe as ritual because I do not often do in the same order and I hate routine! But there are still a lot of things I do before a game: sleep, shower, music, getting taped up, prayer and then...voila!

(How would your teammates describe you?)

"They tell me I am the funniest girl they know. Whatever I do, I like to say that 'I kill!'. They also tell me I'm crazy and I set the mood. 

(Do you remember your first French Euro game?)

"It was in Bourges...two years ago. I hit a three pointer right off."

(Hobbies outside of basketball)

"While I love cooking, watching films and TV series (when I have the time), dancing, cycling, listening to information and messing with my teammates! I love spending my time on U.S. sites on-line and listening to U.S. radio stations. I'm always in search of the latest U.S. sounds (re-mixes, mix tapes and freestyles). Love reading U.S. books, too."

(What players with whom would you love to play against or with?)

"I would have liked to play with Lisa Leslie and Dawn Staley. Also Cappie Poindexter, Sylvia Fowles and Tamika Catchings. And, of course...my future UofL teammates!" 

Looks like the Lady Cards have a very well-spoken, experienced and lively one coming aboard in Ms. Niamke.

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

Seems like the Atlanta Dream can't catch a break lately. They started a five game home-stand Sunday in Philips Arena...but the opener was against Atlanta hometown girl Maya Moore and the Minnesota Lynx.

It was a joyous return for the former Collins Hill High School star...the Lynx dispatched of the Dream fairly easily...77-64. Moore had twelve points and eight boards in the win.

"It was just really exciting to be back in Georgia where I have so many good basketball memories. Last November I was in town to play Georgia Tech with Connecticut but it's a different feeling as a pro. It's a different group as far as the fans that come out, so hopefully the people who haven't gotten to watch me, my team or the WNBA will want to come back."

Moore celebrates the Minnesota (5-1) win
over the Atlanta Dream (1-5).

Angel McCoughtry had 10 points in the loss for Atlanta. Angel drew the assignment on Moore defensively, not the first time the two have gone up against each other. They were both in a Las Vegas training camp in mid-May for the U.S. National team and Moore and McCoughtry battled in the BIG EAST for a couple of years.

The Dream started poorly and trailed by 23 at one point in the first half before trimming the margin to 10 shortly before halftime.

Courtney Paris, who was signed to a Dream temporary contract when Sancho Lyttle left to play for the Spain team in Euroball Womens 2011, scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds in her debut. Head Atlanta coach Marynell Meadows commented on Paris:

"There's two ways to look at it when you bring in a player like Paris. She could come in here and beat somebody out...or other teams are going to have an opportunity to look at her. She's got a chance to get back in the league again."

The same could be said about the Dream. They've got a chance to get back in the league, as far as win-loss ratio goes with four more at home...but even if they sweep the remaining four...it puts them at .500 for the season. Lindsay Harding seems to be getting a little more comfortable in the Atlanta offense...with a Dream game high 14 points Sunday...but the talented point guard needs to "up" the learning curve in a hurry if the Dream are to contend for back-to-back Eastern Division titles...
.

It's official...Softball Cards in final and Women's Basketball announces the signing of Smith, Schimmel and Niamke

.

For the second year in a row
Louisville and Syracuse meet
in the BIG EAST Softball
Tournament final game. 

SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Walz comments on the Spring Signing Period

-Louisville to face Syracuse in BIG EAST Softball

Tournament final today

-Off the Rez airs tonight at 9 p.m.

It's official...as they like to say at the racetrack after a race.
Jeff Walz has announced that Monny Niamke, Jude Schimmel
and Bria Smith have all signed to play for the University of Louisville next season. They join Sara Hammond to give Louisville a 2011 recruiting class that has been ranked as high as fifth. Coach Walz released a statement about it:

"This late signing class solidifies our back court and will no doubt put us in a position to dial up the pressure on opponents. We couldn't be happier about addressing the needs of our team along with adding wonderful young women who will be great ambassadors to the university and our community."

Dial up, indeed. Most of Louisville's opponents in the 2011-12 won't want to answer that Cardinal call of a back court that will be the deepest in UofL women's basketball history. Here's the official bio on each of the the late period signees...courtesy of the UofL Sports Information Department:

Monny Niamke, 5'5", Point Guard, Paris, France (Victor Hugo)

Niamke has played for the French National U16, U17 and U18 teams the last five years. Last season she helped guide them to a silver medal in the FIBA U17 World Championships. She was also named MVP of the European Tournament in Forgeres (France). Won a gold medal at the 2009 Youth Olympic Games in Finland with the U16 squad. Also won a bronze with the U16 in Italy. She is described by Walz as 'one of the best young guards in  Europe. She brings to the team one element we have been lacking for some time, pure speed. She is very skilled on the perimeter and will utilize her quickness to attack the basket and distribute the ball. She also has the capability to be a lock down defender and cause havoc in our defensive schemes.'

Jude Schimmel, 5'5", Combo Guard, Mission, OR. (Portland Franklin)

Schimmel finished her senior year averaging 28.4 ppg, with 9.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 7.3 steals per game. Gathered 5A first team all state honors this season and finished with 1,546 career points. Game high this year of 51 points. Was Portland All-City and on the Oregon All-Star team for the Northwest Shootout. She has played AAU for the Oregon Reign from 2008-10, Team-Concept Fire in 2009-10 and American Horse from 2002-07. Also lettered in softball and cross country. Walz comments...'We are thrilled to add another Schimmel to our Louisville family. Jude will have the opportunity to impact our game with her athleticism and ability to score off the bounce. She is as hard a worker as I have seen in some time, and will no doubt be on the finishing end of precision plays with her sister.'

Bria Smith, 5'10", Combo Guard, Massapequa, NY (Christ the King)

The #8 ranked player in the nation by Hoop Gurlz. This season was named a McDonald's and WBCA All-American. Also first team Parade All-American. Miss Basketball in New York state. New York Daily News Player of the Year. She averaged 21.1 ppg, with 7.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists as a senior. Third year for All-State and All-City honors. She also was on the USA team at the FIBA U17 World Championships. Has been invited to the USA Basketball U19 trials. Walz remarks...'This is a monumental moment for our program and fans of Louisville basketball. Bria brings with her a pedigree of success and star status. She is an electrifying scorer with a great basketball mind. Her competitiveness is unsurpassed and her will to win is paramount. She comes from one of the premier high school and AAU programs in the country and will no doubt elevate our program to new heights.'

The cupboard is stocked full of provisions. It's now up to Walz and the coaching staff to mix a entree that will delight Cardinal fans and win games. The players will need to show Walz and the coaching staff their desire to earn the playing minutes with hard work, determination and a willingness to play defense...a Walz staple.

Take a few days and do something with the wife and kids, Jeff. Disney World, skiing...maybe a family cruise or trip to the mountains. You've brought in a bumper crop to go with an already fantastic base. Time for the farmer to go to the barn dance before harvesting the yield.

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

Cardinal senior Chelsea Bemis says it's just a matter of
selecting a pitch and driving it against Syracuse
pitcher Jenna Caira. Bemis drove a three run
blast over the fence yesterday in the 6-0 romp over
the Irish.

Here we go, again. Louisville vs. Syracuse in the BIG EAST Softball Tournament final. Despite the gloomy skies that greet us as we write this article this morning...the game should be far from depressing and should feature a great pitching match up between Cardinal killer Jenna Caira and torrid Tori Collins hurling the softball. The plate approachers aren't ready to let this one be a pitcher's duel, though., Syracuse used a bottom of the seventh inning hitting frenzy to advance past Pittsburgh in the quarterfinals and jumped on DePaul early yesterday in the semifinals to get to the championship game. Sometimes, two runs is enough...especially when you have the juggernaut Jenna Caira tossing the orb.

Louisville went ballistic on Notre Dame in the third inning yesterday en route to the 6-0 win. They waited till late to pounce the USF Bulls in the quarters...2-0 with a run in the sixth and seventh. Tori Collins has been barely hittable...holding the Bulls to a couple of singles and the hard hitting Notre Dame squad to just four singles. Someone set up lounge chairs and umbrellas for the UofL outfielders...Collins either strikes them out, gets them to pop up to the infield or ground out.

There is also the irrelevant fact that Syracuse has won the last five games vs. Louisville. Swept the regular season three games series, took one from the Cards early in the season in a tournament in Alabama and won the BIG EAST Championship last year. Matters not. Today is a new day, new game and you can toss streaks and trends into the trash can.

Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m. On ESPN 2 if you can't get out to Ulmer. Should be a doozy! Stay away...rain!

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

Just a reminder...the documentary Off the Rez shows tonight on TLC at 9 p.m. A look into the life of Shoni Schimmel and her family as they make the move to Portland, Oregon from the Umatilla Reservation.
.

Lady Cards add a guard...Softball takes two



Monny Esther Niemke. a.k.a.Young Monny Rose
is a lightning quick guard and is headed to Louisville

 SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Niamke chooses Louisville

-Cards sweep Pitt in softball

-Women's track in Border Battle

-Uncle Mo gets a show...

SHOW ME THE MONNY !!

French sensation guard Monny Esther Niamke, aka Young Monny Rose, has made her decision to come to Louisville for her college basketball career. The speedster was heavily recruited by several BIG EAST schools and other top D1 programs.

Niamke has thrilled French women's basketball fans with her wizardry for several years now. Louisville head women's basketball coach Jeff Walz spent time in France last summer and we can assume he spent time watching the talented point guard play in European competition. Niamke played on the 16U French National team and is described as "a lightning quick point guard who is aggressive on the court and has a strong body frame built for high level Division I basketball." Several different variations are used regarding her name...WE'LL call her anything she wants if she can translate her success in Europe to Denny Crum Court.

With Niamke's decision to attend Louisville, the Cards now have at least three probable arrivals for the class of 2011-12. Sara Hammond has committed and Jude Schimmel has commented that she will most likely end up at Louisville. The Cards are reportedly still in the running for New York combo guard Bria Smith, who will visit Louisville this month.

Niamke had 16 points, 4 steals and 4 rebounds in France's win over Russia  for the bronze in the International 16U Championships recently in Athens, Greece.

This was the "surprise" recruit and commitment we've been mentioning over the last several weeks here at CARDINAL COUPLE. We held off on the details about Young Monny-Rose's chances of coming to Louisville until the Quaneisha McCurty issue became clearer and it now appears that Louisville has room  for Bria Smith and that's about it....unless transfers occur.

Niamke is a true point guard who also
scores with ease on the transition game

Hats off to Walz and the Cardinal coaching staff for corralling this international playmaker! The Cards are now in a "crowded house" situation...as it looks like 3 or more freshmen will join the 3 red shirts and 11 returning players from the 2010-11 team. Whether Nikki Burton will be able to return from the hip and groin injury for the upcoming year remains to be seen. Sources we have talked to connected to the UofL program suggest her playing days may be over. The Cards have also experienced 2-3 transfers out of the program since Walz took over in 2007. Only Asia Taylor, Rachel Story and former walk-on Shelby Harper remain in the junior class of  recruits that arrived on campus following the Cards march to the national title game in 2009. Monique Reid and Becky Burke will be the only seniors on the 2011-12 roster and the only two left from the Cardinals that arrived on campus in 2008. Gwen Rucker switched to volleyball full time last season.

WE can't help but think here at CARDINAL COUPLE that a possible transfer or two might be in the works this summer. Just who could be on that potential list is hard to say....but speculation from CARDINAL COUPLE readers, fans and observers of the program has centered around Story and Polly Harrington as two players that could be seeking a change of scene...We know NOTHING, of course and prognostication is just what it is...UofL has not commented on anything about this and the above names are just a couple that were mentioned in passing when looking at a very full Cardinal potential roster for 2011-12. In any case, Walz  appears to have plenty of options when fall practice gears up...and a plethora of potential staring lineups possible...

GRADUATED PLAYERS
Keisha Hines
LaToya Johnson

RETURNING CARDS
Shelby Harper
Sherrone Vails
Antonita Slaughter
Charmaine Tay
Becky Burke
Polly Harrington
Shoni Schimmel
Tia Gibbs
Rachel Story
Asia Taylor
Monique Reid

REDSHIRT/INJURED RETURNING
Nikki Burton
Shawnta Dyer
Cierra Robertson Warren

PROBABLE INCOMING FRESHMEN
Jude Schimmel
Monny Esther Niamke

COMMITTED FRESHMAN
Sara Hammond

RECRUIT OF INTEREST
Bria Smith

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

Louisville softball took both games of the doubleheader against the home standing Pittsburgh Panthers yesterday at the Peterson Sports Complex.

"We faced a very good Pittsburgh team today and I was pleased with how we responded." Head coach Sandy commented on the 3-2 and 7-2 doubleheader sweep over previously undefeated in BIG EAST play Pittsburgh.

Once again freshman sensation Caralisa Connell pitched all 15 innings for the Cards. Connell (16-4) has won ten straight now for UofL. The first game went to extra innings...Louisville getting a big effort from Chelsea Bemis, who gave the Cards the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth with a solo blast over the left field fence.

Louisville took the early lead against the Panthers in the top of the third when Bemis singled home Katie Keller and Colby Wherry singled home Alicja Wolny. Pitt tied it up in the bottom of the sixth with a two run homer off of Connell...setting up Bemis's heroics with the game winner. Connell allowed eight hits and struck out eight for the win.

Louisville overcame a 1-0 Pitt lead early by lighting up the scoreboard for four runs in the fourth inning of Game Two. Taner Fowler's two run homer was the big shot in the inning...when the Cards collected four hits...including a RBI double from Kristin Austin. Louisville increased the margin to 6-1 in the fifth when a Hannah Kiyohara single got Wherry and Austin to the plate.

The Cards got a solo home run blast from Keller in the top of the seventh to make it 7-1 and Connell allowed a solo homer in the bottom of the inning for the 7-2 final. Connell had five punch outs to go with two runs and six hits allowed. Her role as only healthy starting pitcher for Louisville reminds us of the days when former Cards pitcher Aja Sherman used to rule on the mound as Louisville's only threat inside the circle.

They chalk up the baselines today for a 1 p.m.start in the final game in the series. With the wins, Louisville improves to 29-10 overal and 7-1 in the BIG EAST. Pitt falls to 3-2 in conference play. The current ten game win streak for Louisville ties for fourth longest in Cardinal softball history.

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

Cardinal women's track and field atheltes fared well in the Battle of the Border events yesterday at Cardinal Park. Although the South (Kentucky and Louisville) narrowly lost to the  North (IU and ND) in the dual meet format....Louisville got six first place finishes. Margret Harris took the 200 meters and finished behind Louisville winner Saravia Richardson in the 100 meter dash. Chelsea Brown captured the 400 meter hurdles for the Cards

In field events, Jenna Wargo took first place in the javelin and D'Ana McCarty won the hammer throw. Characheska Lockhart prevailed in the long jump. The Cards also got strong performances in the shot put and discus when they finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th in both events....with Khardija Abdullah, Chinwe Okoro and McCarty.

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

1/9 favorite UNCLE MO suffered a stunning defeat in Kentucky Derby prep race... the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Race track in New York yesterday. Leading at the top of the stretch in the 1- 1//8th mile contest, Uncle Mo looked ready to score against the field of nine three year olds, but flattened out in the stretch and finished third....beaten by one and one half lengths. Graham Motion's TOBY'S CORNER took the race by a head over ARTHUR'S TALE.

This throws the Derby scenario wide open now. "Mo" was the prohibitive early favorite to capture the Run for the Roses, but after yesterday's fading performance..one has to wonder whether he can get a mile and a quarter. Ah, the days leading to "the greatest two minutes in sports"....(Remember that the great SECRETARIAT finsihed third in the Wood Memorial before winning the 1973 Derby...) WE"RE not ready to give up on "Mo" just yet...sometimes you just have a rough day. Believe me, we know....
.