Starting 5: Bellarmine basketball files waiver to play in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, more

The Bellarmine men's basketball team officially filed an eligibility waiver for this season's NCAA Tournament, coach Scott Davenport said.

The NCAA mandates programs transitioning from Division II to DI must wait four years to become eligible for the tournament. Bellarmine made the jump in 2020, joining the ASUN Conference.

The Knights were semifinalists in the 2021 College Basketball Invitational, falling to eventual champion Pepperdine. Bellarmine won the ASUN Tournament in 2022.

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Around the city: Racing Louisville FC's Savannah DeMelo back with Team USA ahead of friendlies

Racing Louisville FC midfielder Savannah DeMelo has been participating at the U.S. Women's National Team soccer camp ahead of friendlies against Colombia on Thursday in Sandy, Utah, and Oct. 29 in San Diego.

This is DeMelo's second consecutive national team call-up. She played during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and started two group-stage matches for Team USA.

DeMelo, 25, scored eight goals and had three assists in 23 appearances with Racing Louisville this season.

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High school recruiting: Michael Loftis receives another offer

Holy Cross junior Michael Loftis received his latest offer from Campbellsville on Tuesday. The 5-foot-11 point guard previously received offers from Brescia, Kentucky Christian, Mount St. Joseph and North American University. Campbellsville, Brescia, KCU and NAU are NAIA schools. Mount St. Joseph is a DIII school.

Loftis averaged 15.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per game for Holy Cross last season. He shot 52.6% from the field and 42% from beyond the 3-point arc.

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Performance of the week: St. Xavier keeper Will Hamilton posts first shutout

St. Xavier goalkeeper Will Hamilton made a spot start for the Tigers in their first-round state soccer match against North Oldham on Tuesday night. He posted a shutout in St. Xavier's 3-0 victory.

In his first start of the season, Hamilton recorded three saves.

St. Xavier defeated Daviess County, 3-0, on Thursday night to advance to the state semifinals.

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Mark your calendars

• Bellarmine men’s basketball is hosting Transylvania University at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in an exhibition game. Bellarmine women's basketball is hosting Spalding at 1 p.m. Oct. 29 in an exhibition game at Freedom Hall.

• Louisville softball is scheduled to conclude its fall schedule with home games against Southern Indiana at 5 p.m. Tuesday and against Miami (Ohio) at 1 p.m. Oct. 29.

• Louisville men's tennis will play at the ITF M15 Tallahassee tournament beginning Monday. The women's team is traveling to Mississippi State for matches that begin Thursday.

• U of L women's soccer will conclude the regular season hosting Duke at 6 p.m. Thursday. The Cardinals are set to play in the ACC Tournament, which is scheduled to begin Oct. 29. The men's soccer team is set to host Wake Forest at 7 p.m. Friday at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium.

• Louisville field hockey is scheduled to play at Boston College at 2 p.m. Friday.

• Bellarmine field hockey is set to host Kent State at 6 p.m. Friday at Trager Stadium.

• Louisville volleyball has home games scheduled at L&N Arena against Florida State at 7 p.m. Friday and against Miami at 1 p.m. Oct. 29.

• Louisville rowing is scheduled to begin its season Friday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at the Head of the Black Warrior River event.

• Louisville cross-country is scheduled to compete in the ACC Cross Country Championships on Friday in Tallahassee, Florida.

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Play of the week: Louisville basketball turns stout defense into easy offense

In its exhibition game last Wednesday night against Simmons College, Louisville used its defense to get some offense going in a 91-50 victory.

The sequence started when freshman center Dennis Evans blocked a floater by a Simmons guard. Skyy Clark grabbed the rebound, raced down the court and found freshman wing Kaleb Glenn in the corner for a 3-pointer.

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Reach sports reporter Brooks Warren at bwarren@gannett.com and follow him on X at @Broookksss.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Racing Louisville FC star Savannah DeMelo returns to Team USA and more