April 28, 2008
Louisville, Ky. -
The University of Louisville women's basketball finished with their best season in school history under first year head coach Jeff Walz. The Cardinals were the first in school history to reach the NCAA Sweet 16 and earned their highest national ranking at No. 12 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll to end the season.
"I could not have scripted a better first year here at Louisville," said head coach Jeff Walz. "The awesome support of our staff, players, administration, fans and everyone involved with our program made my first year as a Cardinal fantastic. Our motto this year was to leave everything on the floor for 40 minutes and let the score take care of itself. After finishing 26-10, I believe that is how we played all season. This team played as hard as any team I have coached in my career and that is what I will remember most. It was special to watch this group be able to experience a Sweet 16 and enjoy all the national attention they received."
The Cardinals earned several national awards this season. Head coach Jeff Walz was named the WBCA Maggie Dixon Division I Rookie Coach of the Year after guiding the Cards to their best season in school history. Junior Angel McCoughtry was named to numerous All-American teams including first team honors on the WBCA/State Farm and the USBWA teams.
Several season records were broken as the Cardinals wrapped up the year. Senior Patrika Barlow set the new season assist record with 251. Angel McCoughtry broke her old records of points scored in a season and steals in a season. McCoughtry also set a new career steals record and is just 24 points from becoming the school's all-time leading scorer. She is also just 43 rebounds from becoming the all-time leading rebounder.
The Cardinals have their highest ranked recruiting class coming in next season which was ranked at No. 11 by All-Star Girls Report. ESPN.com has already ranked the Cardinals No. 10 in their 2008-09 preseason poll. The return of seniors
Candyce Bingham,
Angel McCoughtry and
Chauntise Wright will give the Cardinals one of the best front courts in the nation.
"Next season is going to be a year with high expectations and that brings new challenges," said Walz. "Being ranked in the Preseason Top 10 in two different polls puts a little pressure on us, but I know this team will embrace the expectations and continue to strive to be the best. The five incoming freshman we have will bring additional depth and competition to the returning players. We need a very good spring and summer so we can continue to improve as a team and for the players to improve individually. I know they will work hard in the off season and before we know it, we will be back at practice."
