Cardinal Couple Thursday Spectacular

(OK, maybe not so very spectacular, but we do have a few interesting tidbits to talk about.)


THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( Staff Columnist Jeff McAdams with the report today on women's golf and NCAA Volleyball. Last seen, he was wandering the hallways of the Cardinal Couple Worldwide Corporate offices with a 5-iron in his hand, volleyball under his arm and dressed in nothing but a volleyball net and souvenir program for the NCAA Championships...yelling either "Fore" or "Set" randomly.)

- Tennis in the ACC

- Volleyball Championships have Arrived

- Volleyball All-Americans Announced

-  Hammond to miss Colorado game.

Tennis in the ACC

Paulie asked me, in our look at how our athletics teams match up with our upcoming ACC competition, to cover Tennis.

Tennis...that's the sport where they use that funny scoring system, right?  I must admit to not following Tennis much, so let's take a look at the ACC standings and see where they stack up in overall rankings.

For comparison, the Louisville Women's Tennis team finished up last season 13-10.

In the ACC, last season:

1. Duke (29-3, 11-0)

2. North Carolina (24-7, 10-1)

3. Miami (FL) (20-5, 9-2)

4. Clemson (17-9, 8-3)

5. Virginia (19-10, 7-4)

6. Georgia Tech (16-12, 6-5)

7. Florida State (13-11, 5-6)

8. Virginia Tech (12-13, 3-8)

9. Boston College (10-13, 3-8)

10. NC State (8-16, 3-8)

11. the departing Maryland (7-15, 1-10)

12. Wake Forest (3-18, 0-11)

So that looks like we fit in around 7th or 8th.  That's a little daunting.

Let's see how current and future ACC teams are looking in the ITA Top 25:

3. Duke

8. North Carolina

9. Miami (FL)

15. Virginia

19. Notre Dame

20. Georgia Tech

25. Clemson

I gotta say, that looks pretty impressive.  Looks like yet another sport that will challenge our Cardinals to greater heights. Mark Beckham has two of the finest in the nation in Rebecca Shine and Julia Fellerhoff and they will lead the Cardinal charge.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
 

VolleyBall Championships have Arrived

If you have followed my ramblings here at all this fall, you know that Louisville has the honor of hosting the NCAA Semifinal and Championship matches.  These matches kick off tonight at 7pm with 3 seed Texas and unseeded Michigan.  The nightcap should get started around 9pm with top seed Penn State playing 5th seed Oregon.

Our Cardinal team finished off the year with a 30-4 record.  Of those 4 losses, 3 of them were to teams that have advanced to the Semifinals (Penn State, Texas, and Michigan)...which takes a little of the sting out of them, I should think.

Oregon arrived in Louisville early in the week, on Sunday, which is somewhat understandable since they would have the most jetlag to overcome.  Because of their early arrival, they borrowed the Cardinals practice facility at the Yum! Center on campus.  They also are apparently borrowing our pep band as theirs apparently couldn't make the long trip.

The other three teams arrived Tuesday.  No news if any of the other teams are borrowing a band from Bellermine or elsewhere.

(Editor note: Timmy the Intern and Co-Co offered to bring a kazoo and harmonica to support the Texas squad musically. They haven't heard back from them yet. They do a great version of "Louie, Louie" and "Stairway to Heaven".)

One roster note of local interest.  Penn State, perennial volleyball powerhouse, has one Deja McClendon as an outside hitter.  Deja is from Louisville, playing her high school ball at duPont Manual.  Deja's younger sister, Maya, has signed to play with the Cardinals next year.

Tickets are still available at the KFC Yum! Center, though the word is that they have generally sold well.  The NCAA, and UofL are looking to break the all-time attendance record for a volleyball match, so come on down and check out the action.

Volleyball All-Americans Announced

Lola Arslanbekova was named a 2nd team All-American, while Gwen Rucker picked up a 3rd team nod.  Caitlin Welch...only a junior, remember...got an honorable mention.

Congratulations to these three and thanks for representing Louisville so well.

Also congratulations to Gwen Rucker for graduating today with a degree in Actuarial Science.

( Great report today from Jeff McAdams and he'll be keeping us in the loop on the action in the KFC YUM! Center Thursday and Saturday...as four teams enter, but one only will emerge as the National Champion.)

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Our prayers go out to Sara Hammond and her family, who just lost their grandmother. Always tough to lose a family member and you all are in our thoughts during this tough time.

Hammond will not accompany the Lady Cards on their trip to Colorado for the Friday night game against the Buffs.

One of the most beautiful and thoughtful statements that we've ever heard about a death of a loved one goes like this. This is for you and your family, Sara.

Your pain is over
Although we still ache
You'd tell us not to
You'd tell us to make...

Every day a bright one
Each moment quite dear
Because we never really know
How long we'll be here.

Your life was special
You touched so many
The lives you changed
Were grateful and plenty

We'll meet again
Of this I am sure
While you're gone, we'll carry on
We will endure.

So, fly with the Angels
Smile down on us below
Thank you for helping
All of us grow.

-Sonja



.
..
...

Yes it's Tuesday

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


...Today Sandy quick steps us between laundry changes needed for basketball to volleyball and lacrosse then again back to basketball...

NCAA VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP IN LOUISVILLE

A major event in volleyball for the city of Louisville begins at the KFC YUM! Center this Thursday and Saturday nights.   Beginning on Thursday December 13 at 7 and 9 pm you can watch the semi-final matches  (Texas v Michigan then Penn State v Oregon)

and on Saturday at 7 the finals of our cities first hosting of a NCAA volleyball national championship.   Ticket sales are reported to be going strong and our plans are to surpass the national attendance record of 17,430.   Really folks, the record is held by Omaha, Nebraska.  Omaha really!  

 

We can do better and I understand that we are close.  Do your part!  See you there.  Tickets are available through multiple outlets including at www.ncaa.com/volleyball. Prepare for the matches by reading about it at http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/120612aab.html, and http://www.ncaa.com/championships/volleyball-women/d1#!championship_br_home.
 

In addition to the matches there are loads of daily fan events and the ability to watch open practices from 10:00 to 4:25 tomorrow with authograph sessions with AVCA All-Americans and Olympian Champion Kerri Walsh Jennings prior to each nights match. 

No pre-purchased tickets should go unused.  Coach Anne Kordes has indicated that anyone who is not able to use tickets which have been purchased to turn them back into the University so that they can be either re-sold or given to charity for those who want to be here but cannot do so due to cost.  NO EMPTY SEATS!

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 12	EVENT TITLE	EVENT DESCRIPTION
10 to 11:30 a.m.	Open Practice, KFC YUM! Center
11:35 a.m. to 1:05 p.m.	Open Practice, KFC YUM! Center
1:20 to 2:50 p.m.	Open Practice, KFC YUM! Center
2:55 to 4:25 p.m.	Open Practice, KFC YUM! Center
THURSDAY, DEC. 13	EVENT TITLE	EVENT DESCRIPTION
12:30 to 2:30 p.m.	Jostens Coaches Honors Luncheon, KICC Cascade Ballroom	Please join us to recognize the 2012 Coach of the Year winners and Hall of Fame inductees. Tickets to the luncheon are $45 and can be purchased at AVCA Registration in Hall 2CD of the KICC.
5:30 p.m.	Gates open to public, KFC YUM! Center	1,000 headbands given away courtesy of AT&T, KFC Yum! Center, South Entrance
5:30 p.m.	NCAA Fan Zone	KFC Yum! Center, South Main Concourse (concludes at the beginning of the last match set)
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.	Autograph Session	Session includes Lindsey Berg, U.S. National Team player, Lloy Ball, four-time Olympian and members of the U.S. Women’s National Sitting Team, KFC Yum! Center, South Main Concourse
7 p.m.	Semifinal Match No. 1
8:45 p.m.	Autograph Session with Match No. 1 teams, KFC YUM! Center
9 p.m.	Semifinal Match No. 2
11 p.m.	Autograph Session with Match No. 2 teams, KFC YUM! Center
FRIDAY, DEC. 14	EVENT TITLE	EVENT DESCRIPTION
11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.	AVCA All-America/Players of the Year Banquet, KICC Cascade Ballroom	Celebrate the stars in our sport on Friday afternoon as the top talent from around the country comes together to commemorate the year that was in women’s volleyball. Tickets to the banquet are $45 and can be purchased at AVCA Registration in Hall 2CD of the KICC.
8 to 10 p.m.	Under Armour All-America High School Volleyball Match and Skills Competition, KFC Yum! Center	The event will feature 24 Under Armour Girls High School All-Americans, as previously selected by the AVCA, who will be divided into two squads and compete in a three-set match, in addition to a series of individual competitions that will showcase the athletes’ superlative skills.
SATURDAY, DEC. 15	EVENT TITLE	EVENT DESCRIPTION
9 to 11 a.m.	NCAA/AVCA Kids Clinic, KICC Hall 1 AB	The NCAA, AVCA and University of Louisville will be conducting youth clinics for kids ages 8 to 14 at the championship.
4:30 to 6:15 p.m.	NCAA/AVCA Minority Coaches Committee Kids Clinic (ages 8-14), KICC Hall 1AB	The POWERADE® NCAA® Youth Clinics are a community outreach program that connects kids ages 8 to 14 (through 8th grade) with selected championships and provides them with resources designed to have a lasting impact. Participants receive sport instruction from NCAA and regional coaches get valuable information on fitness, healthy lifestyles and sportsmanship.
5 to 5:30 p.m.	Red Carpet Arrivals	Come early and cheer on your team as they head in to compete for the 2012 NCAA Women’s Volleyball championship. Teams will enter through the Main Entrance of the KFC Yum! Center. (Tentative)
5:30 p.m.	Gates open to public, KFC YUM! Center	2,000 scarves will be given away, courtesy of the NCAA Respect Campaign, KFC Yum! Center, South Entrance
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.	Autograph Session	Autograph Sessions with AVCA All-Americans and Kerri Walsh, two-time NCAA Champion and three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, KFC Yum! Center, South Main Concourse
7 p.m.	National Championship Match
Post-Match	Awards Presentation	Between sets 2 and 3 – 40th Anniversary of Title IX Presentation

 Editor note: CARDINAL COUPLE was informed by the NCAA that we would NOT be issued media passes for the Final Four if Louisville didn't get there. Therefore, we will
 not have media representation on the sidelines. Our Jeff McAdams will be in the stands, though... 


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

CARDINALS FLYING HIGH ACROSS THE NATION
 

The Stanford Cardinal retain their number 1 AP ranking but the Louisville Cardinals retain their 8^th place position.   Articles are plentiful across the internet and this week is no different as Charlie Crème of ESPNW has published one which not only discusses who he thinks will be hard to knock off as the top 4 basketball teams but also includes a mention of the Louisville women.  The complete article can be found at http://espn.go.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/8731988/top-teams-locked-no-1-seeds-already.  Also this week is his first projected Bracketology posting http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/bracketology  which includes Louisville starting on their home court (which is a given as long as we make the 64 team tournament).  He places Louisville in the Oklahoma City Bracket.
 

Oklahoma City

Waco

1BAYLOR

16TEXAS SOUTHERN

8Virginia

9Syracuse

Lubbock

5Purdue

12SAN DIEGO STATE

4UCLA

13PACIFIC

College Park

6Kansas

11UTEP

3Maryland

14HAMPTON

Louisville

7Michigan State

10Vanderbilt

2Louisville

15FLORIDA GULF COAST

I know that we have a lot of regular season and Big East tournament play remaining but NCAA 1^st round regional games begin at the Louisville YUM! Center on March 23 and 25^th with tickets already available for the hometown fans to pack the house while obtaining great seats before the other teams are seated.   This is Louisville’s first opportunity to host first round games in many years and we want to make sure that repeat opportunities occur.  Without great attendance figures this won’t happen and watching on TV is just not the same experience.
 

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

WNBA DRAFT
 

Progress comes to basketball, slowly but surely.  For the first time, the WNBA will hold its annual draft on ESPN2 at the primetime slot of 8 p.m. ET.  The event is not until April 15 so mark your calendars.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/wnba-draft-air-live-prime-205913857--wnba.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
 

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

LACROSSE 2013 SCHEDULE



Katie Oliverio

The 2013 schedule for Lacrosse has been released which features 9 home games.   Check out the season story at http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-lacros/spec-rel/121012aaa.html.    This year’s team features 3 seniors -- Janaye Dzikewich, Danielle Pawliw and Katie Oliverio.



Janaye Dzikewich



Danielle Pawliw

This years schedule begins with 3 home games at U of L Lacrosse Stadium beginning on February 10 at noon.

DATE	OPPONENT	TIME	SITE
Feb. 10	CANISIUS	12 p.m.	UofL LACROSSE STADIUM
Feb. 16	OHIO STATE	2 p.m.	UofL LACROSSE STADIUM
Feb. 23	OLD DOMINION	1 p.m.	UofL LACROSSE STADIUM
March 2	Denver	12 p.m.	Denver, Colo.
March 6	VANDERBILT	1 p.m.	UofL LACROSSE STADIUM
March 9	Presbyterian	5 p.m.	Cumming, Ga.
March 13	Detroit Mercy	2 p.m.	Detroit, Mich.
March 17	Drexel	1 p.m.	Philadelphia, Pa.
March 22	Loyola (Md.)	6 p.m.	Baltimore, Md.
March 24	Georgetown	1 p.m.	Washington, D.C.
April 5	NOTRE DAME	5 p.m.	UofL LACROSSE STADIUM
April 7	MARQUETTE	12 p.m.	UofL LACROSSE STADIUM
April 12	Syracuse	6 p.m.	Syracuse, N.Y.
April 14	Connecticut	12 p.m.	Storrs, Conn.
April 20	CINCINNATI	7 p.m.	UofL LACROSSE STADIUM
April 26	RUTGERS	5 p.m.	UofL LACROSSE STADIUM
April 28	VILLANOVA	1 p.m.	UofL LACROSSE STADIUM
May 2 & 4	BIG EAST Tournament	TBD	Washington, D.C.

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

BASKETBALL RECRUITING
 

Full Court editor Clay Kallam wrote an interesting article which was published on Sunday concerning the differences between the recruiting of boys vs girls high school players to Divison 1 schools.

Primarily it is thought that with the additional three scholarships available to the women’s basketball teams (to create a closer equity of college scholarships) that high school girls and their parents are incorrectly being advised to handle the recruiting process the same as it is by the boys.  His belief is that any girl that in her junior summer possesses Division 1 skills will receive a Division 1 scholarship, as long as they do not limit their sites to specific top tier schools.

Currently the recruiting process includes the attendance and participation in summer play including AAU teams as early as middle school when the girls may not even yet have a complete understanding of the skills needed which may actually result in the early exposure hurting their scholarship chances rather than helping.    Clay proposes that the girl’s would be better served by using the summers during those early years to focus on skills development… and then use their junior summer to make the travel circuit and focus on schools where their current skills match specific schools needs where they can actually make a contribution and earn significant playing time (Megan Denies).

Otherwise either poor matches result where overreaching result in 4 years of primarily riding the bench with resulting transfers and / or dropping out of the system or players miss out on a 4 year Division 1 experience and either don’t play, move to Division II or go the JUCO route when a move comprehensive recruiting plan for girl’s recruiting may have made a huge difference.

The complete article can be read at http://www.fullcourt.com/prep/22340/remember-recruiting-among-other-things-different-girls?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter.
.
..
...