a Pabe 10-The Michigan Daily/New Student Edition-Sports - Thursday, September 9, 1993 Women spikers thrive under new regime by Rich Mitvalsky Daily Sports Writer Head coach Greg Giovanazzi's entrance into the Michigan women's volley- ball program marked yet another change in the routine for the Wolverines. Giovanazzi'sinstallmentasthe thirdheadcoach in four yearsforMichigan proved a change for the better, and for the future. The Wolverines posted a 15-7 record overall, 7-4 in the Big Ten, which includedcapturing athird consecutive State PrideBannerin a dual series with rival Michigan State. They also recorded a fifth-place finish in the conference and two ernotion-laden victories over perennial favorites Minnesota and Wisconsin. 'We went into the match for the first time since I have been at Michigan thinking we could beat Wisconsin," Hayley Lorenzen said following Michigan's five-game victory against the Badgers. The game extended the Wolverines' unbeaten conference mark to 4-0 in the early going. Michigan's strong suit on the court was its aggressive play at the net. With upfront standouts in Lorenzen, Aimee Smith, Fiona Davidson, JoAnna Collias and Michelle Horrigan -each of whom ranked among the conference's elite in kill and block categories - opponents often found themselves helpless on the other end of blistering Wolverine shots. But the Wolverines, who forcefully contended for a birth into the post-season tournament, fell just short as they split a pair of doubleheaders over the final two weeks of the season. "Ihere simply won't be a post-season if we don't play well in these last games," GiovanazzisaidfollowinganeznotionalhomevictoryoverfavoredMinnesota."Ithink we are inaposition whereif weplaywell, we deserve to continue, and if not, we don't" Giovanazzi's matter-of-fact assessment of his team on the bubble was re- flected weeks later by the selection committee, as Michigan was denied partici- pation in the tourney. But the groundwork has been laid for next season. Despite the loss of four seniors, including standouts Tarnisha Thompson and Lorenzen, a talented and veteran clubremains. Andaccording to sophomore Julie Scherer, this group looks for bigger and better things to come under Giovanazzi, who served as assistant coach for America's women's Olympic volleyball team that won the bronze medal. "Greg has tremendous connections in the volleyball world, and we are going to play some teams next year of the caliber which we have never befpre played," Scherer said. "That should make us abetter team in the long run, and attract better players to the program." --- Cagers fa Women suffer throi by Rich Mitvalsky Daily Basketball Writer Frustration. Indeed, a bit of an understatement. More like the knotted lump embedded firmly in your throat as the clock ticks away at the final seconds of yet another loss. "Now, it's just a feeling of numb- ness," senior co-captain Nikki Beaudry said following Michigan's82-62loss at Illinois. And at the head of the frustra- tion, bitterness and numbness was first- year head coach Trish Roberts. Roberts entered the season sporting an enviable .719 winning percentage over a four-year span at Maine. She readily discarded her past accomplish- ments, zeroing in on the task at hand- making Michigan a winner. She set her sights high. 'Our goalrightnow is to have a win- ning record at the end of this season," RobertssaidbeforeMichigan'sfirstgame. Paced by All-American candidate Trish Andrew - who set Michigan career marks in rebounding and shot- blocking last season - and anew run- ning attack, Roberts hoped to bring her team into the middle of the conference standings last season. The Wolverines finished the season 2-24 overall, 1-17 in the Big Ten. A bit too high. "Right now, we just want to win one game. Just one, that's all," she sighed after a mid-season loss. The transition between coaches and hter ugh tough year their respective styles stymied Michigan's performance. "Any time there is a change, the transition period is either going to be short or long," Roberts said. "Our's has been long, and I don't feel our kids adjustedtothedemandsweputonthem." "After the first week of practices, we all said to each other that we felt like freshmen again," sophomore for- ward Shimmy Gray said. "We have had to change so many things about our game, both inside and out." Although having executedavastly up-paced offense over previous years, the Wolverines were hampered by a flurry of season-ending injuries, leav- ing those healthy with little opportu- nity for reprieve from action. And as eachgameprogressedfatigue-more than anything - took its toll. "Coach pulls us in after the game and congratulates us on the fact that we are executing the plays," Nuanes said. "It seems as though we are learn- ing. I think she sees the progress. We see the progress. Right now, we're still really frustrated we're not getting a win." The Wolverines recorded their sole BigTenwinoftheseasonindramatic fashion, upsetting Indiana on theroad, 67-54. "The players decided that the last two games of tie year, we're going to getawin,"an emotional Roberts com- mented after the groundbreaking vic- tory. S FILE PHOTO Carrie Stewart goes up for a shot during one of Michigan's worst seasons ever. The Wolverines finished 2-24 overall and 1-17 in the Big Ten. A i a