4B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - September 21, 1998 'M' volleyball earns its pizza at Domino's Classic By Jon Zemke Daily Sports Wri er Thus far this season, the Michigan volleyball team has won 80 percent of its matches. Half of the time the Wolverines haven't allowed their opponent to win a game. And in their only two losses, Michigan took at least one game from a top-20- ranked opponent. If the nonconference season is any indicator of how the Wolverines will fare in the Big Ten, the per- centages are in their favor. "I think this weekend prepared us very well for the Big Ten season," Giovanazzi said. "We are play- ing better against top-20 competition, and the Big Ten has five or six potential top-20 teams." Michigan traveled to Albuquerque, New Mex., for the Domino's Pizza Classic on Saturday, Sept. 19th. The four-team tournament was hosted by New Mexico and included No. 20 San Diego and Kent. Michigan opened the tournament against New Mexico and its loud home crowd in 'The Pit.' The Wolverines put the Lobos away in four games behind the strong performance of sophomore Joanna Fielder. Fielder set career highs with six blocks and led Michigan with a .455 attack percentage. Senior Linsey Ebert led the Wolverines in digs (13) and service aces (3). Karen Chase, also a senior, posted a team-high 16 kills, and true fresh- man Shannon Melka lead the team with 24 assists. An impressive .391 attack percentage was turned in by Anne Poglits, a junior. The win gave Michigan a 1-0 advantage in itsfirst meeting against the Lobos. The Wolverines then faced their second top-20 opponent in a week by taking on San Diego. The Toreros dominated the first two games - 15-5 and 15-11 respectively -- before Michigan came back and took the next two, 15-13 and 15-8. The See DOMINO'S, Page 10B Spikers need seasoning FILEPHugO Chereena Tennis and the Michigan volleyball team want to be a national force. They'll have a chance starting this weekend with the beginning of the conference season. Seeking a summer internship in Washington, DC? By Jon Zemke Daily Sports Wrnter The Michigan volleyball team has been stuck with the moniker of an up- and-coming program for the past couple of seasons. Steadily improving, the Wolverines have ------------------ been trying to Volleyball catch up to the Big Ten and Commentary national power---------------- houses Penn State (preseason No. I nationally), Wisconsin (7), Ohio State (13) and Michigan State (17). If the Wolverines hope to establish themselves as a power in the Big Ten and national rankings, they need to do it this season. Michigan's '97 volleyball season was the best in team history., posting a 13-7 Big Ten record and 21-12 mark. The Wolverines finished third in the Big Ten and made their first trip to the NCAA tournament, where they made it to the second round before being ousted by Texas A&M. These past accomplishments were overlooked by voters in preseason polls, who picked Michigan to finish seventh in the Big Ten. Coach Greg Giovanazzi's squad has done much to rid itself of the "up-and- comer" label by going 8-2 in the '98 non-conference schedule. Michigan has handily put less-talented teams away - often sweeping them. In Michigan's two losses, which came to opponents in the top 20, it has played close, including tak- ing No. 20 San Diego to the wire in five games. Michigan has everything it needs to establish itself as a power this season. It has a veteran core of players led by Karen Chase, Jane Stevens and Jeanine Szczesniak. Most important, Giovanazzi has replaced graduated setter Linnea Mendoza by platooning sophomore Alija Pittenger and freshman Shannon Melka. Both have stepped up their play nicely. The Wolverines have one weakness: They don't have the killer instinct to put their opponents away. Michigan has had its opportunities to defeat the two ranked opponents it has faced this season, but has failed to cash in on them. Until Michigan learns how to finish off its tough opponents, it will remain an up-and-coming program - not the established one it could be. ss ,r" Career Planning & Placement University of Michigan * FILE PK Sarah Behnke has helped Michigan bump its way into the rankings. The Wolverines finished their non-conference schedule with an 8-2 record. 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