The Michigan Daily - Thursday, April 14, 1994 -13 0'M' tennis prepares for ranked ND By JENNIFER DUBERSTEIN DAILY SPORTS WRITER Notre Dame will be in Ann Arbor today to continue its rivalry with Michigan, and it won't be at Michi- gan Stadium. The Michigan men's tennis team battles the Fighting Irish today at the 4iberty Sports Complex in what is arguably one of the Wolverines' toughest matches this season. Notre Dame (18-8 overall, 8-1 Regional) was ranked 15th in the na- tion a mere two weeks ago. The Irish bring impressive credentials into the match, having defeated Duke and Texas, who were tied at No. 4 when the matches were played. Notre Dame, Minnesota and *ichigan are battling for the top-two regional seed, and a victory over the Fighting Irish would help the Wol- verines in their quest for postseason play. "I would say (the Notre Dame match) will be our most important match besides Minnesota," Michigan's John Costanzo said. "In order to go to the NCAAs, we have to be one or two in our region." Minnesota knocked off Notre Dame last week, 5-2. The Wolverines dropped their match to the Golden Gophers by the same score. "(Notre Dame) will be easier (than Minnesota)," said Costanzo, concern- ing tomorrow's match. "We matchup much better with (Notre Dame) than Minnesota." Notre Dame has two players ranked in the nation's top 60. Notre Dame's No. I singles player, senior Andy Zurcher, carries a No. 23 rank- ing and defeated Duke's Chris Pressley (No. 5) and Texas' Chad Clark (No. 6). Irish netter Ryan Simme (No. 54) is the top-rated freshman in America. His major victories include a win over Texas' Ian Williams (No. 19). "I've played Simme before," Costanzo said. "My game matches up with his pretty well." Notre Dame's top doubles team, Zurcher and Allan Lopez, is also ranked nationally at No. 23. Dan Brakus, Michigan's No. 1 singles player, faces Zurcher, whom (No. 19) beat Brakus earlier this sea- son in a three-set match. The Irish's lofty ranking doesn't worry the Wolverines. "(The ranking) doesn't really af- fect us," Costanzo said. "We know every player (from Notre Dame). We've played them before. We're not intimidated by them." "We played (Notre Dame) really close during first semester," Michigan's Peter Pusztai said. "I've heard they are pretty nervous. "This match won't be any easier (than the Minnesota match) and it won't be any harder. We can't under- estimate them." SARAH WHITING/Daily The Michigan men's tennis team has a chance to better its postseason opportunities with a win over Notre Dame. Crew used to strange accomodations %y TIM SMITH DAILY SPORTS WRITER The Michigan crew team will make the long trip to Oak Ridge, Tenn., Saturday for the Southern Intercolle- giate Rowing Association (SIRA) re- gatta against a bevy of talented teams. But unlike varsity teams at Michigan, the self-funded crew team has to make the most of every penny. The team pill be camping out on a church floor Friday night in preparation for Saturday's regatta. The lack of quality accommoda- tions, however, doesn't seem to bother the Wolverines much. Junior crew member Jay Steel says that the team has actually become accustomed to its less than comfortable lodgings. "We're used to it because we do it gverywhere we go," Steel said. "So we don't really mind." The team may need its rest be- cause Saturday Michigan faces a strong field in the competition. The Wolverines face last year's men's winner, Miami (Fla.), and last season's women's winner, George Washing- ton. However, Michigan varsity coach Gregg Hartsuff remains confident about his team's chances now and in the future. "Ithink we'll bein arun forthe gold with Miami," Hartsuff said. "They get to row in the water year-round and get to recruit the best athletes, but our rowing reputation is really benefiting v us. "When you're doing well (like Michigan), people like to stay with your program." Hartsuff also feels that going against the experienced Hurricane squad will give him an idea where his team stands at this point of the season. Miami and the Colonials are just two of the teams, along with Virginia and Florida Institute of Technology intent on bringing home the title. The women's varsity team hopes to improve upon last year's second- place finish in the SIRA by building on the momentum it gained from last weekend's victory over Wisconsin. "Chances are that it's going to be a more tightly packed race than last week," Michigan women's coach Mark Rothstein said. "It's good, though. It makes more for an exciting race." Junior coxswain Hilary Trencamp noted that the abundance of good com- petition only helps the Wolverines. "It's going to be a close matchup between the top teams, but we do well under pressure," Trencamp said. "A boat right next to us will push us a little harder." The motivation from the competi- tion and from knowing that they will be back sleeping in their own beds after the regatta may bejust enough to pave the way for Michigan. ATTENTION4 ADVERTISER The last day of publication is Tuesday, April 19. The deadline for this issue is Thursday, April 14. The Michigan Daily will be published on Wednesdays during spring/summer. The first publication is on May 4. T 11S Ab 14 Mme. 55 J J Q rERICAN E{ QM ERlCAN E{p .. ,... gE55 ' ,. ...... JJ~lr,,.. fJJI w , Ill's 55 RESS Iprr,.l...., 11 E $ $ Ilh .l....,,r11 JAS,,,... ,,, upJ i aM N E{pRES5 5 """"", J MrarCA4 F. ' "t+L.l1LN(l1c'"!!!I+(!!!!(J1 fill" 4f MakeA I C I Join your fellow students and American Express in support of the 10th Annual Hunger Cleanup. On April 16th, students from your school and local residents will pitch in together, participating in a nationwide event that assists worthy causes while helping to improve community life across the nation. The Hunger Cleanup is a three hour "work-a-thon" where you take part in a community work project such as painting a shelter, cleaning a playground, or starting a neighborhood food garden. And the funds you raise in sponsorships for your work will be distributed by the event's organizer - the National Student ampaign Against Hunger and Homelessness. Your school is among 190 participating this year, making Hunger Cleanup the largest one-day community service event in the country. American Express salutes all the volunteers and is proud to be the sole national sponsor. Since 1984. Hiner Cleanups have raised almost a million dollars. with the heln of over 70.000 students. Peonle like von. . .. L