VOLLEYBALL The Michigan Daily - SPORTSMonday - December 9, 1996 - 9B Tough schedule spikes play of volleyball team By Kevin Kasiborski Daily Sports Writer The trouble all started three years ago. .The struggles endured by the Michigan women's volleyball team this season can be traced back to 1993, when this year's schedule was created. The Wolverines faced a challeng- ing non-conference slate, to say the least. They compiled a 4-6 record against non-league opponents, with five of the losses to top-25 teams, and the sixth to George Mason, a team that was invited to the NCAA tournament. In addition to losing six times, Michigan only had one non-confer- ence victory over a quality team, beating Georgia. "Our record against top-25 teams was 1-13, and in a 17-loss season, that is significant," Michigan coach Greg Giovanazzi said. "To get to the-postseason, you don't necessar- ily have to beat the top-25 teams, but you have to have 20 wins." Michigan didn't have enough matches where it was evenly matched with its opponent and could get into a rhythm. They were either being swept or doing the sweeping. Consequently, when the ,-Wolverines opened Big Ten play on the road at Iowa and Illinois - two solid but beatable opponents - Michigan was unprepared. Despite holding 2-1 leads in each match, the Wolverines lost both. "I think the most crucial part of our season was losing two five-game matches after being up 2-1 the first weekend of the Big Ten season," Giovanazzi said. After that weekend, Michigan seemed to tread water for most of the season. With the exception of an upset of Wisconsin, Michigan only beat the teams it was supposed to, finishing 9- 11 in the Big Ten (sixth place) and 14-17 overall. "The record is disappointing," Giovanazzi said. "It's such a vacuum to look at things that way, but that's j ,how things are judged in athletics. "It concerns me because I think there are a lot of great things that happened this year, and we are such a PARADISE Continued from Page 3B needed him to help the Wolverines out of their doldrums at Purdue. But this is not to say he has done a bid job, either. Remember, the Wolverines are 8-3 with a mediocre offense and a good but not great defense. That's doesn't reek of a bad coaching performance. The bottom line is that for the fourth straight season, the Wolverines are not going to the Rose Bowl. But that's not because they have under- achieved. Or because they play to the *level of their competition. Or because of poor coaching. No, the reason for Michigan's 8-3 record is rather sim- ple. The Wolverines just aren't very good. Depending on the bowl game against Alabama, they'll finish the season 8-4 or 9-3. For a good but not great team like Michigan, that sounds about right. - Barry Sollenberger, who wishes to be in Pasadena Jan. 1 in the Arizona State section at the Rose Bowl, can be reached over e-mail at jsol@umich.edu. Go Sun Devils! U. I. UY~ ~ . II I Y~Il Y young team. I don't want it to be used for anything else but motivation for next year." Michigan has already given itself momentum for next season with its play over the past three weeks. Michigan played well in 3-1 loss to No. 11 Ohio State, in a match that was broadcast to the nation on ESPN2, before closing the season with four straight wins Giovanazzi admits that, in retro- spect, the non-conference schedule was too tough, and that part of the problem is that the schedule is made years in advance. ' "Three years ago I never would have dreamed that Louisville or George Mason would be such solid top-25 teams," Giovanazzi said. To get to the postseason, you don't necessarily have to beat the top-25 teams, but you have to have 20 wins." - Greg Giovanazzi Michigan volleyball coach But he adds that he will not start scheduling all cupcakes. "I have always been a believer that playing the best competition is how you get to be the best," Giovanazzi said. "I have had some really good talks with coaches Urbanchek, Berenson and Hutchins, and I think they agree with me, but they also say we have to do a better job of balanc- ing." Michigan junior Sarah Jackson, who led the team with a .288 hitting percentage, received honorable men- tion All-Big Ten honors. Senior Shareen Luze was named to the All-District Academic team and is one of eight Wolverines to be select- ed to the Academic All-Big Ten team. "Her work ethic for four years has been tremendous," Giovanazzi said. "She has been an example to the underclassman, and to her peers in the same class." Three other seniors also played their last match at Michigan. "It's worth all the hard work you put in," Erin McGovern said. "The friendships, the competition, seeing the country, and graduating from Michigan all say something." Kristen Ruschiensky was statisti- cally among the top-20 attackers in the nation last year before she was sidelined with an injury to her anteri- or cruciate ligament. The doctors didn't decide to per- form surgery until March, and Ruschiensky didn't get back in the groove until halfway through the sea- son. "With Kristen, more than anybody else, I wish she had another year," Giovanazzi said. "Because she deserves it." Michigan's fourth senior, walk-on Meg Akehi, is also an Academic All- Big Ten selection. "She is the perfect embodiment of why you participate in intercollegiate athletics." Giovanazzi said. "She comes out on her own time, without getting a cent from the Athletic Department or me, and she is there everyday busting her ass. "That kind of passion is something you are not going to replace. I don't know that I can respect someone more than I can respect Meg." Luze sees good things ahead for the Wolverines. "I really think this program is going somewhere," she said. "It's really stepped up the last four years - the new players keep getting bet- ter." Despite losing four seniors, Michigan will have five starters - Karen Chase, Jackson, Linnea Mendoza, Jeanine Szczesniak and Chereena Tennis - returning next season. "The answer I keep coming up with is next year is going to be better," Giovanazzi said. "I worked for a guy who was the U.S. coach for 12 years, and the thing he always said was, 'The best is yet to come,' and I really believe that. "We started three sophomores and two juniors all year long - I think we are going to be real good." JEANNIE bLKVAAS/Uaity What spiked the Michigan volleyball team's punch was the amount of top-25 teams the Wolverines faced this past season. Darlene Recker and teammates were 1-13 against the elite 25 teams in the country, and finished 14-17 overall. Now through December 20 ..----- - COPY IT!= whether full or self serve, copies at Dollar Bill are easy, fast, and done to your satisfaction. Our machines offer: *Reductions *Enlargements *Collating *Stapling *Two-sided copies f- " t t rI 0 I s Full/Self Serve copies " 8.5 x1, 201b. white . FeedabieorIguabs Dollar ill COPYING 611 Church " 665-9200 __ .. e e e i MICHIGAN'S PREMIERE SWIMSUIT CALENDAR ON SALE NOW (LIMITED SUPPLY) 810-363-5500 or etibbe@umich.edu Center for EMS EDUiCAT TO ALL OF OUR READERS AND ADVERTISERS FROM J I I I 1 , "'.