CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WDRB) -- If you're looking for an early-season identity for Jeff Walz's Louisville Cardinals, it might go something like this: older, louder, faster ... and stamped with a passport.
With a reloaded roster led by returning sophomore star Tajianna Roberts and Danish dynamo Laura Ziegler, the Cards spent Tuesday morning at ACC Women's Basketball Tipoff showing confidence, cohesion — and a whole lot of jet lag in the bank.
Their season opener? Not at the Yum Center. Not even in the U.S. It's in a military hangar at Ramstein Air Base in Germany — against UConn.
"Two years in a row, my first game is overseas," Roberts smiled. "Paris last year. Germany this year. That's something I'll never forget — getting that kind of experience with your teammates."
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The Nov. 9 showdown with the Huskies comes as part of the Armed Forces Classic, a high-profile tipoff event. For Ziegler, it's a return to Europe. For the Cards, it's a chance to test themselves against one of the sport's gold standards — and to show off the upgrades.
It's a fitting start for a team that not only is well-traveled, but features players from Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine, Kenya and Australia.
Same culture, new voice(s)
This isn't a total rebuild. Eight players return from a 22-11 team that surged late last season and reached the ACC semifinals. But if last year was about growing pains, this year is about taking ownership.
That's exactly what Roberts has done.
"Last year I had to learn how to bounce back," Roberts said. "This year, I'm focusing on the mental part — being a leader. I've had to step into that voice. And I think I'm doing that."
Louisville players Tajianna Roberts and Laura Ziegler talk on the ACC Network set during the league's annual media day on Oct. 7, 2025.
Louisville's sophomore guard played more minutes than anyone on the team last year. She was second in scoring, first in steals, and a spark of intensity in nearly every big moment. Now she's added poise to the package.
"She's vocal. She communicates. That's a huge step," Walz said. "You can't be a great team without players who hold each other accountable. Taji's taking that seriously."
Edge, experience, and European flair
If you haven't heard of Laura Ziegler, you will. The 6-foot-2-inch forward was a finalist for the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year award last season at Saint Joseph's. Now she's traded the Atlantic 10 for the ACC — and the adjustment hasn't fazed her.
"This team welcomed me right away," Ziegler said. "The vibe is great. The culture is strong. And everyone has a role."
Her role? Think versatility, toughness, and communication. The Cards say they've added a voice as much as a post presence — and they're going to let her use it.
"She talks," Roberts said. "In a good way. She helps people see things before they happen."
Faster pace, deeper bench
Walz isn't shy about what this group is trying to do: play faster, play freer, and win bigger games.
"I hope we're going to be deeper," he said. "We've got players who understand what we're trying to do. That means we don't have to slow things down."
The Cardinals have returning pieces. Mackenly Randolph is back, and healthy. Imari Berry is back, and Walz says she's in the best shape of her life. Elif Istanbulluoglu had a productive summer in Europe. They have young players who took real steps last season. And now they've added length, perimeter shooting, and leadership through the portal.
Oklahoma transfer Reyna Scott takes over the point guard role. Skylar Jones was a double-digit scorer last season at Arizona. Grace Mbugua, a 6-4 freshman from Danville Christian, could add an element of size once she's fully healthy. Isla Juffermans also is coming off an injury.
"Our first few workouts — it didn't feel like we were starting over," Walz said. "That's the difference. But we've still had to teach the new players what we're about, how we play. … I think we're a team that's not as good at the start as we will be at the end, but a team that's further along, I believe, at the start of this year than we were last."
With a non-conference schedule that will be one of the toughest in the country, including UConn, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Colorado, Ball State and others, the Cards will be tested pretty quickly.
But that's no different from past seasons. In a game that has changed radically, Walz has worked to make sure his program keeps the same identity.
"We've built a culture on expectations of going hard each day," Walz said. "We've really worked hard to find players who understand you have to earn things — nothing is given. We want good-character players who believe in that. And I think our success speaks for itself."
The season starts in Europe. The goals, as always, are back in March. But on Tuesday, in a hotel ballroom in Charlotte, the message was loud and clear. Louisville is ready, again, to start speaking up. There's always excitement around a Jeff Walz team. But this one, with its mix of voices and veterans, might just sound a little different.
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