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Laura Ziegler has become contemplative in her old age.
Well, to be fair, 23 is old for Louisville women’s basketball. Ziegler is one of two seniors on the team and the only one in UofL’s starting lineup. Now that her college career is coming to an end, this weekend or next, she finds herself reflecting on the last four years.
After three seasons at Saint Joseph’s, Ziegler entered the transfer portal. She loved Philadelphia, her first home outside her native Denmark. Kelly green and greased lampposts occupy a sacred place in her heart. But she decided to leave for Louisville in 2025, believing Jeff Walz could develop her into a WNBA prospect.
“Transferring is difficult,” Ziegler said after the Cardinals’ victory over Alabama to clinch a Sweet 16 berth. “You want to get it right.
“... I've learned so much this year. I've grown so much. I've had all the right people around me to do so. So I'm just extremely grateful for all my four years, but this year, it's been amazing. I think I'm so lucky. A lot of people struggle to find the right places, and I just hit home twice.”
Louisville is grateful for her, too. Not just for her on-court heroics — they’re definitely part of it. But for her chip-toothed smile. Her infectious energy. And her love for their team.
Imari Berry thinks of Ziegler like a sister. And a mom. Touted by Walz and her teammates as an experienced leader, Ziegler is wont to pull Berry aside and say, “We need more voices,” meaning, “I need you to speak up.”
There’s a lot of leaning and pushing in their relationship, intended to sharpen each other for the current season and beyond, when Ziegler pursues professional basketball and when Berry assumes the role of upperclassman with the Cardinals. She will miss Ziegler’s hugs and forehead kisses. (Very European of her, no?)
“I wish she could stay another year,” Berry said. “That’s my girl. I love her.”
For as sweet as she is off the court, Ziegler’s a menace on it. Mackenly Randolph said that kind of split personality defines this entire team: “We love each other, but when we get in between those lines, it’s war.”
No one pumps their fist, hypes up the crowd or slaps the floor like Ziegler. Yes, slaps the floor. When Ziegler crouches down and bangs on the hardwood, opposing offenses beware.
It’s a way to bring energy and have fun in-game while staying locked in. Ziegler credits her floor slap to the monster block she recorded just seconds later against the Crimson Tide. Randolph credits it, too.
“I’m doing it every possession now,” Ziegler said with a cheeky grin.
After the buzzer sounded on Louisville’s Round of 32 win, Walz embraced Ziegler at halfcourt. “I’m proud of you,” he told her, standing on the dunking Cardinal logo Ziegler would later lower herself down to and kiss, as has become tradition for seniors their final time in the KFC Yum! Center. She was the last player to leave the court that afternoon, hugging every assistant, her teammates and even Louie the mascot before walking toward the tunnel.
She even took the PA microphone to thank the fans, telling them it’s been “an honor to wear a Louisville jersey,” before signing off with, “L1C4!” — an acronym meaning, “Louisville first. Cards forever.”
“We're all grateful, believe me,” Walz said of Ziegler’s time at UofL. “It's been some ups and downs, but if you're trying to coach someone and help them reach the goals that they want to reach, it's not always just smiles and hugs. … I've got a tremendous amount of respect for her. Not just the way she plays the game, but the work she has put into it, and then the growth that she's made.
“... She has brought so much to our team with just her leadership, her experience, and it's been a wonderful year. And I'm glad we're getting at least one more weekend to see what we can do.”
Reach college sports enterprise reporter Payton Titus at [email protected] and follow her on X @petitus25. Subscribe to her "Full-court Press" newsletter here for a behind-the-scenes look at how college sports' biggest stories are impacting Louisville and Kentucky athletics.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville women's basketball March Madness, Laura Ziegler spotlight
Continue reading...
Well, to be fair, 23 is old for Louisville women’s basketball. Ziegler is one of two seniors on the team and the only one in UofL’s starting lineup. Now that her college career is coming to an end, this weekend or next, she finds herself reflecting on the last four years.
After three seasons at Saint Joseph’s, Ziegler entered the transfer portal. She loved Philadelphia, her first home outside her native Denmark. Kelly green and greased lampposts occupy a sacred place in her heart. But she decided to leave for Louisville in 2025, believing Jeff Walz could develop her into a WNBA prospect.
“Transferring is difficult,” Ziegler said after the Cardinals’ victory over Alabama to clinch a Sweet 16 berth. “You want to get it right.
“... I've learned so much this year. I've grown so much. I've had all the right people around me to do so. So I'm just extremely grateful for all my four years, but this year, it's been amazing. I think I'm so lucky. A lot of people struggle to find the right places, and I just hit home twice.”
Louisville is grateful for her, too. Not just for her on-court heroics — they’re definitely part of it. But for her chip-toothed smile. Her infectious energy. And her love for their team.
Imari Berry thinks of Ziegler like a sister. And a mom. Touted by Walz and her teammates as an experienced leader, Ziegler is wont to pull Berry aside and say, “We need more voices,” meaning, “I need you to speak up.”
There’s a lot of leaning and pushing in their relationship, intended to sharpen each other for the current season and beyond, when Ziegler pursues professional basketball and when Berry assumes the role of upperclassman with the Cardinals. She will miss Ziegler’s hugs and forehead kisses. (Very European of her, no?)
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“I wish she could stay another year,” Berry said. “That’s my girl. I love her.”
For as sweet as she is off the court, Ziegler’s a menace on it. Mackenly Randolph said that kind of split personality defines this entire team: “We love each other, but when we get in between those lines, it’s war.”
No one pumps their fist, hypes up the crowd or slaps the floor like Ziegler. Yes, slaps the floor. When Ziegler crouches down and bangs on the hardwood, opposing offenses beware.
It’s a way to bring energy and have fun in-game while staying locked in. Ziegler credits her floor slap to the monster block she recorded just seconds later against the Crimson Tide. Randolph credits it, too.
“I’m doing it every possession now,” Ziegler said with a cheeky grin.
After the buzzer sounded on Louisville’s Round of 32 win, Walz embraced Ziegler at halfcourt. “I’m proud of you,” he told her, standing on the dunking Cardinal logo Ziegler would later lower herself down to and kiss, as has become tradition for seniors their final time in the KFC Yum! Center. She was the last player to leave the court that afternoon, hugging every assistant, her teammates and even Louie the mascot before walking toward the tunnel.
You must be registered for see images attach
She even took the PA microphone to thank the fans, telling them it’s been “an honor to wear a Louisville jersey,” before signing off with, “L1C4!” — an acronym meaning, “Louisville first. Cards forever.”
“We're all grateful, believe me,” Walz said of Ziegler’s time at UofL. “It's been some ups and downs, but if you're trying to coach someone and help them reach the goals that they want to reach, it's not always just smiles and hugs. … I've got a tremendous amount of respect for her. Not just the way she plays the game, but the work she has put into it, and then the growth that she's made.
“... She has brought so much to our team with just her leadership, her experience, and it's been a wonderful year. And I'm glad we're getting at least one more weekend to see what we can do.”
Reach college sports enterprise reporter Payton Titus at [email protected] and follow her on X @petitus25. Subscribe to her "Full-court Press" newsletter here for a behind-the-scenes look at how college sports' biggest stories are impacting Louisville and Kentucky athletics.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville women's basketball March Madness, Laura Ziegler spotlight
Continue reading...
