The Michigan Daily - Thursday, March 20, 1997 - 1A Women netters off to fast start in Big Ten, look to extend undefeated mark in league By Alan Gomez For the Daily ' With the added pressure of their 0ders looming over them during 'Parent's Weekend and two Big Ten tems in town, the Michigan women's tennis team must be hoping that they continue their series of streaks. The Wolverines will have two Big 'Tefi dual matches this weekend against Michigan State and Purdue. These eiratohes will be at the brand new Varsity Tennis Center, where they have a 2-0 record. "We're anxious to play and stay Tome in our new facility," Michigan coach Bitsy Ritt said. Even though Michigan has dropped three of its past five matches, it has got- ten down to business when it's needed to. The Wolverines have won all their Big Ten matches and sport a 3-0 confer- ence record entering the weekend. These streaks, as impressive as they may seem, don't compare to the suc- *ss they've had against this week- end's opponents in the past. Michigan has beaten the Spartans and the Boilermakers every time they've faced them this decade. With winning streaks of seven and nine matches, over the Boilermakers and Spartans, the Wolverines should feel pretty comfortable preparing for these teams. And comfort is something that is setting in on the team. After a strong start to the season, winning their first four matches, the Wolverines slipped a little over spring break. A strong 6-1 victory over No. 50 Illinois, however, showed that the team wouldn't let their break last any longer than a week. "We're playing well," Ritt said. "Coming off a win against Illinois, we're playing with confidence." The comfort level starts with the veterans on the team. Senior Sarah Cyganiak is 7-2 in dual matches, unde- feated in her three Big Ten matches and two shy of her 90th career victory at Michigan. Also, her 17 doubles vic- tories on the season have gotten her within two of her 50th career win. Teaming with Cyganiak in doubles this season and also doing some dam- age is junior Sora Moon. After starting the season 3-0, Moon had some trou- ble picking up the fourth victory she needed to reach 50 in her career. She lost her next three matches before finally picking up the big win against Notre Dame. Sophomore Tumeka Harris has got- ten off to a rough start on the season, losing 12 of her 21 matches. But continuing with the trend set by the team, she has risen to the occasion when needed, amassing a 2-1 record in the Big Ten. Surprisingly, this is the end of the list of experienced players for the Wolverines. Most teams point to their senior leadership or their experienced players as key factors in their success. The Wolverines might want to try pointing at the five freshmen who round out the rest of the team. "The freshmen have made a huge contribution to our program," Ritt said. "They've strengthened our lineup, they've won a lot of matches for us, and I'm pleased with their performance." Brooke Hart is leading with a 7-2 record in dual matches and is tied for the team lead with Cyganiak with a 3- 0 record in conference play. Danielle Lund and Eryn Weggenman each sport a 6-3 record in dual matches and a 2-1 conference mark. Lund has also teamed up with Hart for a 2-1 doubles record in the Big Ten. Redshirt freshman Jen Boylan, whose 6-4 record last year was stopped short. She has teamed up with Weggenman for a 6-3 overall doubles mark and a 2-1 conference record. Tenley Hardin has seen limited play, but has teamed up with Hart and Harris to win both her doubles matches. The Wolverines have had an up and down season so far, but success against the Spartans and the Boilermakers along with their brand new home should give them plenty to smile about this weekend. w iii in i s NCAAS Continued from Page 13A As important as it is to be mental- ly prepared for nationals, there are still physical aspects that need atten- tion. The coaches have been working with each participant individually. "The coaching staff had some sug- gestions," Lacure said. "We worked on small techniques. I have a tenden- cy to shoot to one side more than the other, so they had me focus on my other side. I also worked on getting my setups for takedowns more defined and crisp." Catrabone's main concern was controlling his positioning, as well as his setups in shots and takedowns. Richardson has concentrated on escaping from the down position. "A common thread in my history is not following through," Richardson said. "Everyone gets nervous, but the person who is more aggressive in his attack is usually the winner. "I have to have confidence in my ability and let it all hang out." Constant motivation is the season- long preparation that has taken place to get to this point. "I just keep reminding myself that it's been a long season, and we've been working our butts off," Lacure said. "This is what it's all about. It's ironic, because we've been working hard to achieve in the national tour- nament. "If we don't do well, even though it hasn't been, it feels like it was all for nothing. I don't want to worry about the pressure. I'm just going to go out and have a good time." Lecture notes sold at Grade A Notes, second floor of Ulrich's Bookstore and also at Michigan Book & Supply. Call 741.9669 for more information. JEANNIE SERVAAS/Daily is one of four Wolverines with a chance to grab a national title. Open 7pm - 2am 7 days 0 19 & up except Thurs., Fri. & Sat. 21 & up Roundtree Plaza next to Wal-Mart - 1-94 to Exit 181 " 434-0800 ;:p~ic), 6-foot-10 sophomore center Phil 4Aekey, who is averaging more than nine points over his last three games, d 6-foot-8 freshman forward David alazarian. Meanwhile, Michigan's vaunted trio of big men - sophomore center Robert '-Jraylor and junior forwards Maurice yIbr and Maceo Baston -- may well b 4reduced to a duo for tonight's contest. Baston sat out the entire second half of Tuesday's game after injuring his right big toe while diving after a loose ball. The toe was so swollen at halftime, aston had problems even putting his oc back on, and his status is currently uncertain. Fisher said Michigan trainer Steve Stricker compared Baston's ailment to turf toe, an injury common to football players playing on artificial turf. "The toe injury has us concerned," Fisher said yesterday. "We'll have to wait and see.' In any case, Fisher said he likes the Wolverines' attitude heading into South end, and their chances of snapping the luck of the Irish. "Our kids said they wanted to be (in the NIT), and they proved they did," Fisher said.