The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - September 14, 1998 - 58 -Spi~pker*'s drink up succs a l Sport By Jon Zemke Daily Sports Writer Focus. It's a requirement for any successful team. Without focus, a team's goals can not come into view or even become recognizable. The Michigan volleyball (6-1) team has had its focus so far this sea- son, demonstrated as it hosted the All Sport Volleyball Challenge Friday and Saturday at Cliff Keen Arena. The Wolverines were busy staring down their sixth victim out of six opponents in this fledgling season by putting Louisiana State (5-4 overall) away in four games. Michigan took complete control of the fourth and final match to defeat the Tigers, 15-4. Michigan senior Jane Stevens served seven points in a row at the beginning of the game to give Michigan a commanding 7-2 advantage. "There were a couple of people who got into really good hot streaks serving," Michigan coach Greg Giovanazzi said. LSU was "breaking down in serve receiving. We were very focused. I don't think we were LOUIS BROWN/Daily Junior Jeanine Szczesniak goes up for the spike. The Wolverines lost their first match of the young season, but still ran their record to an impressive 6-1. Sagarin, volleyball ,serve up new poll y Datsd DenHerder n iy "sports WnterT Mathematician Jeff Sagarin added to the confusion of college football in 1985 when his complicated "Power *ating" system was first published in USAToday. As of this year, collegiate volley- ball has also entered the realm of computer rankings. SRelying on Sagarin's calculations, the American Volleyball Coaches Association will produce a new week- lY ranking system - the AVCA/Sagarin Division I Women's Volleyball Power Rating. The new system "takes into account Oespecial nature of volleyball scor- ing,' according to an AVCA state- ment. The equation considers factors such as game scores, match scores, match venues and strength of schedules. First published on Sept. 6, the Power Rating slotted Michigan (then 3-0) at No. 19. After bettering their record to 6-1 last weekend, the olverines will likely advance in this week's ratings, which will be released later today. Despite its flawless start, the team was left out of the USA Today/AVCA Coaches Poll. Michigan coach Greg Giovanazzi expressed his support for the comput- er system. "I think factoring in things like scoring and strength of schedule are very important," Giovanazzi said. "It also gives a really different look, away :om the prejudices of the coaches." Giovanazzi does not currently vote in the coaches poll, but has served on that committee in the past. The vot- ing committee is rotates every few years. Sagarin also developed a national composite schedule for the AVCA, an independent schedule rating for each team, and a formula for predicting the ,utcome of upcoming matches. He has developed ratings formulas for many other college sports, includ- ing football, basketball, soccer and golf; as well as systems for all major professional sports. Though enthusiastic about adopting Sagarin's techniques, the AVCA will not abandon its traditional coaches poll, which also is released weekly. The NCAA does not have a weekly polling system, nor will it consider ither of the AVCA systems when electing the postseason tournament draw. At season's end, the NCAA will once again rely on its Rating -Percentage Index, which is not released to the public. This year's postseason field will also be expand- ed from 56 to 64 teams. Michigan was eliminated by Texas &M in the second round of last ear's NCAA tournament. going to let that match go." Michigan beat LSU in four games taking the first and second, 15-11 and 15-10, respectively. The third match slipped away to the Tigers, 15- 10, before the fourth match was deci-, sively won by the Wolverines. Jeanine Szczesniak, a senior, led the way for Michigan with three aces and four blocks against the Tigers. Seniors Linsey Ebert chipped in 14 digs and Karen Chase led Michigan in kills with 18. The win was Michigan's sixth in a row before the streak was broken later that night against Texas A&M. The Aggies were the team that oust- ed the Wolverines from the second round of the NCAA tournament last year. "It's going to be a battle," Giovanazzi said before the match against Texas A&M. "I think for us to win it we're going to have to be really sharp and extended." The Wolverines were not as sharp as they wanted to be - losing to the Aggies in four matches. The loss was Michigan's first of the season and lowered the team's record to 6-1 overall. Texas A&M is also 6-1. :to get cellular but the smartest. All you have to do is purchase what- ever airtime you want in advance. Even if it's just $10 worth. Because, hey, not everyone feels comfortable with a long-term commitment. HAIL TO THE VICTORS, Gear Up For Another Chamionship Season Wth Recordings From The University of Michigan Marching Band. For more details, call 1-800-A IRTOUCH or E-mail us at mistudentprepaid@airtouch.com I I I -I