The Michigan Daily - Thursday, November 17, 1994 -17 I ^r%^rr% 10%0%3 AILV9"r%,Lt I I I F WOMN'SW CRSOIVUNTR Eh'I r WIVILI1. v Vf\VJJ VVVI 1 R F Following are the NCAA women's cross-country rankings as of Nov. 14. Rank Team 1. Villanova 2. ' Arkansas Colorado ,. tie)Michigan Providence 6. Stanford 7. Wisconsin 8. Brigham Young 9. Georgetown 10. Arizona" 11. (tie) Penn State Wake Forest Oregon 4. (tie) Washington Kansas 16. Auburn 17. Nebraska 18. UCLA 19. Boston College 20. Florida 21. (tie) Illinois Alabama 3. Baylor 4. Dartmouth 25. Notre Dame 7777!7T7"7 'M' volleyball hopes to tame Wildcats m season opener Pts. 196 189 181 177 177 159. 150 138 136 130 117 117 108 87 87 75' 65 64' 50 42 28 28 26 22 13 By JAMES GOLDSTEIN Daily Sports Writer The Michigan men's volleyball team has already succeeded, even though the season has yet to begin. The Wolverines carry a lot of mo- mentum into their season's debut against Northwestern Saturday nightat 7 p.m. at the Intramural Sports Build- ing. By finishing first in a preseason tournament at Michigan StateMichi- gan is just where it wants to be. The confident Wolverines know they have to put the preseason matches into perspective. "Afterabig win like (the Michigan State tournament), it is real hard to stay focused," team president Kevin Urban said. "The team has to keep its concen- tration." While it's true that Michigan is satisfied with winning all eight games at the Michigan State tourney, there is cause for concern that the Wolverines may look past their upcoming oppo- nents. Even the Wildcats, who finished ninth in the conference last year, are not to be easily dismissed. "Northwestern is amuch improved team," coach JenniferSlosarsaid. "We can't afford to take any team lightly." If the Wildcats took proper notice in Lansing, they should be worried about Michigan's fundamentally-sound style. The team's power comes from the out- side hitting duo of sophomore Ernesto Rodriguez and junior Gun Unluer. Rodriguez was chosen as one of 16 All-Americans at last year's na- tionals, and Unluer should be at the top of the conference in kills this sea- son. The emphasis for the Northwestern match, however, is on passing and de- fense. Even with theirweapons loaded and ready to attack, the Wolverines can't succeed without their shields. "Hitters are a dime a dozen these days," Slosar said, "but to find six players on the court that can pickup the ball is pretty rare." What is also rare is for six players wearing Michigan uniforms tobe taller than their opponents. In the preseason, most of Michigan's foes were an aver- age of twoto three inches taller than the Wolverines. Michigan, however, is not concerned about height disadvan- tages. The team still has strong jump- ing ability, and that should counter any height advantage Northwestern might have. "We're known as being the small guys that can jump real high and dig everything," Urban said. "However, we have to work at putting up bigger blocks and getting on the offensive with our serve." Michigan heads into the weekend with a blowout on its mind. The team does not anticipate losing any games to Northwestern. Anything less than a clean sweep would be a disappoint- ment in the players' eyes. Now that they know they can play at a higher level, the Wolverines are on a mission. Actually, three missions. "One, one, and one" is the team's motto. It represents the team's goal of finishingflrstin all of the following: the Big Ten Championships, the MIVA'S (Mid-West Volleyball Tournament)and the National Championships. I S The Michigan volleyball team opens its season Saturday. hppens This cbdsn s.wCisa.Wnter. OMCMXCIV New Une Productions Mc.AN Rg.s Res erved ' o Go The Phinest in Phishwear T-shirts, Hats, Stickers, etc. PHISHING at In Flight Fe', ALPACi Ecuado 0 C> C> C> C> C> C> V4!N) > 215 S. State St. Ann Arbor (upstairs, above JASON'S) /Winter Fashions .A: Sweaters, Hats & Mittens rian Wool Sweaters )NLY $35.001 Long-Sleeved T-Shirts or favorite bands AZ 995-DEAD Many L from yot 9Yebber signs with Warriors OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Chris Webber re-signed last night with the iolden State Warriors after a bitter contract dispute, but that did little to quell speculation he may not remain with the team. The Warriors did not release terms of the agreement with Webber, last season's rookie of the year. They said Webber was expected to rejoin the team tomorrow or Saturday. The signing came at the end of a oldout that led coach Don Nelson to ay he would quit if such a move would facilitate signing Webber, who has said he was unhappy playing for' Nelson last season. Webber, whose agents said they were investigating possible trades with four teams during the stalemate, was angered at Nelson for making such a suggestion. By signing Webber, the Warriors *ow would be able to trade him. They could not have traded Webber, or even negotiated with other teams about a trade, while he remained an unsigned restricted free agent. "We continue with the specula- tion," agent Bill Strickland said in response to a question about whether Webber would soon be traded. "He's under contract with the arriors, and that's all I can say at is time. He's happy to have signed his contract, and hopefully we can move beyond what has been a press spectacle out there." The 6-foot- 10 forward has missed the team's first six games this season. The Warrinrc are 5 withnt WAhher. m U r%1