Women's Tennis vs. Northwestern Sunday, 11 a.m. Track and Tennis Building SPORTS Wrestling vs. Ohio State Tomorrow, 7:30 p.m. Cliff Keen Arena The Michigan Daily Friday, February 21, 1992 F Page 9 MICHIGAN SPORTS 1und'iV Netters open on road by Adam Miller Daily Sports Writer When the Michigan men's tennis team starts its spring dual-match sea- son on the road this weekend, it won't be a trial by fire. But it will be hot. Three of the four matches are outdoor affairs in unseasonbly mild Florida. However, before Michigan hits the Sunshine State for matchups with Florida, Miami (Fla.), and Georgia Tech (at Miami), the team makes a detour to Wisconsin tomorrow for the Big Ten season opener. The Wolverines have defeated the Badgers, 5-4, the last three years in Wisconsin. Since Wisconsin is No. 4 in the Midwest region while Michigan stands No. 7, coach Brian Eisner said he expects another tough contest. "Playing them where they're comfortable gives them a real advan- tage," Eisner said. "We should match up well, but they're led by two sea- soned veterans." Wisconsin is led at No. 1 and 2 singles by Joey Deer, No. 2 in the Big Ten, and Bryan Nelson, No. 5 in the conference, respectively. Eisner said he expects Michigan's David Kass, ranked No. 4 nationally, to face Deer and Dan Brakus to play Nelson. Things really heat up Feb. 26 when Michigan faces No. 5 Florida at Gainesville. The hot streak continues two days later at No. 10 Miami and Feb. 29 vs. Georgia Tech in Coral Gables. Eisner expressed concern not only of the quality of competition but also of how Michigan will perform outdoors. 'M' skis into regionals by Meg Beison The Michigan men's and women's ski teams travel to Sugarloaf this weekend for the regional championships. Both teams take with them memories from past years of close races that ended in disappointment. The men have qualified for regionals the past four years but have not been able to extend their season further. Last year, the men almost ad- vanced to nationals, losing a tiebreaker. "We had the fastest times and were told we made it to nationals," se- nior captain Kevin Gietzen said. "Western Michigan beat us by two place points. It was very disappointing." The women won the regional last year, but they also know how it feels to miss the mark by only a few points. Two years ago, the women were in first place after the slalom, but ended up losing a tiebreaker by just one point. Last year's success has much to do with the regionals being held at Crystal Mountain, located in Thompsonville, Mich. The teams hope to have the same advantage this year as they travel to Sugarloaf. "We've only raced at Sugarloaf once this year," Gietzen said. "It's going to be a good run. It's nice not having to drive nine hours; it will definitely be an advantage." The women have had much success this year, and rookies Kelly Copeland and Amy Portenga have played a significant role. "Kelly and I are real nervous," Portenga said. "We don't know what to expect from the other divisions." Michigan faces competition from the Lake Superior, Ohio and Michigan divisions, with schools including Akron, Michigan Tech, Wisconsin, and Northern Michigan. Tumblers journey west by Eric Sklar Daily Sports Writer The No. 15-ranked Michigan men's gymnastics team heads to the West Coast for spring break with two competitions against California schools. On Feb. 28, California-Santa Barbara hosts the Wolverines and No. 16 Illinois. The next day, Michigan travels to San Jose State where it will also compete against No. 18 California-Berkeley. "We go out there so that we can experience the judging and get a look- see at some of the competition out there," Michigan coach Bob Darden said of his team's annual trip. The Wolverines currently hold the eighth spot in the east region, mak- ing them the final qualifier for the regional competition. Three teams, in- cluding Illinois, are chasing Michigan for that final spot. Individually, the Wolverines have several gymnasts ranked among the leaders in certain events. Frosh Brian Winkler ranks No. 1 in the floor ex- ercise and No. 18 in the vault competition. Ben Verrall (No. 6) and Jorge Camacho (No. 12) are also nationally ranked in the floor exercise. Team- wise, Michigan also ranks in several events, including a No. 1 ranking in the floor exercise. "We're expecting to use these two meets over spring break as a springboard to our regional-qualifying bid, and establish ourselves in the second half of our season," Darden said. Women cagers seek revenge Blue looks to pay back Iowa, Ohio State, Indiana over break by Tim Spolar Daily Basketball Writer The Michigan women's basket- ball team begins the backstretch of its Big Ten schedule this weekend. Michigan hits the road with games against conference rivals Iowa and Min-nesota and then returns home for matches against Indiana and Ohio State the following weekend. The Wolverines hope to maintain the defensive intensity that brought them within two points of North- western at Crisler last Sunday. "I think overall our defense was much improved," Michigan coach Bud VanDeWege said. "It may take a couple of weeks for the defense to click in and maybe some things will start to click." Tonight's game at Iowa City should prove a tough test of the newfound Michgan pressure. The Hawkeyes (10-1 Big Ten, 19-2 overall) lead the conference and have brought their trademark ath- leticism to the court consistently this season. Forward Necole Tunsil led all scorers with 20 points in Iowa's 73-61 victory in Ann Arbor Jan. 26. "Necole possesses tremendous athletic ability and basketball skills," Hawkeye coach Vivian Stringer said. "She has an incredible love for the game and is a fiery competitor." On the other hand, the Golden Gophers provide Michigan with its best opportunity to break through with its first road win this season. The Wolverines beat the Gophers Jan. 24, 83-77, for their sole conference victory. At 2-9 in the conference, Minnesota is one spot ahead of Michigan in the Big Ten. While both Indiana and Ohio State took their turn crushing the Wolverines last month, Michigan hopes that the combination of the home court, the end of a shooting slump by the team's leading scorer, Trish Andrew, and aggressive defense will turn the tide in its favor. The absence of these factors could very well explain the combined 53 points by which Michigan lost the first matchups. While immediate results are not expected from VanDeWege's new focus on defense, the Wolverines hope their hard work will begin paying dividends by the time the Buckeyes and Hoosiers roll into town. A Senior guard Leah Wooldridge looks to be part of the Wolverines' resurgent defense when Michigan plays Iowa and Indiana this weekend. THE JOE continued from page 1 "I have not changed my opinion of them since the beginning of the year," MSU coach Ron Mason said. "I picked them to win the conference, and if anything the surprise is that they haven't locked it up yet.But all teams go through ups and downs." Althoughsonly three points behind the Wolverines, the Spartans started the season with far different expectations. "We'd like to catch fourth place," Mason said before this sea- son began. "We know we have a good team, but they're young and we're not sure where the goals will come from.,, A number of older players stepped up their production to key the Spartan surge. Dwayne Norris (30 goals-27 assists), Peter White (18-34) and Bryan Smolinski (22- 27) are all in the top six in CCHA scoring. Senior goalie Mike Gilmore has anchored the success of the Spartans as predicted. "I think MSU is playing this year like everyone expected them to play last year," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "They had the talent, and were supposed to win the conference, but it didn't work that way last year. This year they've been as consistent as anybody. These two games will be really hard fought. I expect them to bring the best out of our team." "Last year MSU had a real advantage in the crowd," Ward said. "I really hope our fans get out there. When the loud, arrogant green pricks think they get the best of the cheers, they really get on you." After this weekend the Wolver- ines face Bowling Green next Tuesday and Ferris State the following weekend. Blue hopes to scale standings at Northwestern, Wisconsin by John Niyo Daily Basketball Writer Wednesday's thrashing of Min- nesota will give Michigan a needed boost as it heads out on the road for three straight games. "We were able to run but that's easier when your opponent doesn't shoot well," coach Steve Fisher said after the game. "Overall, we were pretty good and we needed this vic- tory with our road games coming up. The Wolverines (7-5 Big Ten, 16-6 overall) bounced back from an intense, disappointing 70-59 loss last Saturday at home to rival Michigan State with a payback drubbing of the Gophers, 95-70. Minnesota handed the Wolverines their first Big Ten loss back on Jan. 11. Now Michigan will spend its spring break trying to move up the Big Ten ladder as it travels to Northwestern (1-10, 8-13) tomorrow and to Wisconsin (2-9, 11-13) next Wednesday. pressure opposing shooters. Minnesota only managed to hit 43 percent of its shots Wednesday - and just 28 percent in the first half. For the season, Michigan op- ponents are shooting .404 from the field, ranking the Wolverines among the nation's leaders in that category. The Northwestern contest in Evanston will provide a homecom- ing of sorts for Michigan center Juwan Howard. Family and friends will be on hand to cheer the former prep standout from Chicago Vocational. Howard broke out of an early- season slump when the Wolverines last traveled to Illinois to take on the" Fighting Illini in Champaign. Since that game, Howard has become the primary option in Michigan's half-. court offense, scoring in double fig- ures in 9 of 10 contests. Howard It appears that Michigan's suc- cess in those two games will again rely on how well the defense can Softball opens in the Southwest by Meg Beison The women's softball team slides into its season over spring break when it travels to Albu- querque, N.M., and Phoenix. The Wolverines will face New Mexico, Iowa State, San Diego State, and No. 12 Arizona State. The team will miss the perfor- mance and leadership of graduated seniors Andrea Nelson, Julie Cooper and Bonnie Tholl, but coach Carol Hutchins said she has confi- dence in her team. "They were all four-year star- ters and will be difficult to re- place," Hutchins said. "But we are pleased with the freshman class we've brought in. We just need to put them on the field and play some games." Hutchins said she is excited about the play of the outfield. She. has seen strong play at first and third base as well as behind the plate. The trip will be an. opportunity to see all the players in action. "It's a chance to see what we're made of," Hutchins said. THE MICHIGAN DAILY Need CASH for COLLEGE? We can help! Our computerized research and matching service can help find the unpublished, private funds available for you. Call for free information. (313) 677-1714 Or write to: Scholarships Unlimited P.O. 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