8E - The Michigan Daily - New Student Edition - September 8, 1998 '97 season may preview future volleyball success Harris stands out in second year on links By TJ. Berka and Josh Kleinbaum Daily Sports Writers It occurs countless times in the world of sports -a team comes out of nowhere to have a remarkable season and falls back into the realm of also-rans just as quickly. The Michigan volleyball team had its best season ever with a 21-12 record and a win in its first NCAA tournament game, a five-set victory over Temple on Dec. 4. The Wolverines' season ended two days later in a 15-10, 15-6, 15-6 loss to Texas A&M. But despite the loss, it looks like this successful season is the start of a winning pattern, not an aberration. "We feel really good about how the team stacks up the next few years," Giovanazzi said. "We have a lot of expe- rience at outside hitter and Linsey Ebert is one of the premier middle blockers in the Big Ten." The Wolverines return 10 of their top 12 players this fall, including four of six starters. Michigan returns all five of its outside hitters and four out of five middle blockers. The two players that the Wolverines lost are setter Linnea Mendoza and mid- dle blocker Sarah Jackson. While both players are among Michigan's all-time volleyball greats - Mendoza finished with more than 5,000 career assists and Jackson is leaving with the second-most kills in school history - the Wolverines have players that can fill their shoes. Michigan is counting on sophomore Joanna Fielder to take Jackson's place in the lineup. Fielder saw limited action in her freshman year but was a leader of the second team in practice. "We have somebody like Joanna to come in, who I feel could have played all year long," Giovanazzi said. "She is the heir apparent to Jackson." Replacing Mendoza is a trickier proposition, because she had been the main setter since she arrived in 1994. The Wolverines, however, have a setter in this By Rick Karpster Daily Sports Writer In an era where athletes' off-the-field problems often dominate the sports page, the Michigan men's golf team offers a refreshing change of pace. Michigan coach Jim Carras, who fin- ished his 16th year as the leader of the Wolverines, works hard to recruit golfers who are quality students and individuals. In fact, the first question that he always asks recruits is how they are doing in school. "I look for student-athletes, not ath- letic students,' Carras said. "I want guys who know that school comes first and golf comes second." Last year's Wolverines proved that Carras' goals have been accom- plished as eight of the 15 team members received all-academic honors. While Michigan has provided sever- al great students and community role models, it has also produced some very talented golfers over the years. Over the extended golf history at Michigan, few have been better than current Wolverine Mike Harris. A redshirt sophomore, Harris had a very memorable year in only his sec- ond season as a college golfer. Harris was the medalist in three of the eleven events ,Michigan played in, and he also contended for the Big Ten's Les Bolstad Award, which is given annu- ally to the person leading the confer- ence in stroke average. In 30 compet- itive rounds this year, Harris carded an average score of 72.2 and had five top five finishes. "(Harris) has had one of the most outstanding years as anyone in my 20 years here," Carras said. "He is also a reat, smart kid who is very modest through his times of suc- cess." Despite Harris' tremendous sea- son, the Michigan golf team strug- gled at times last year due to its lack9 of experience and depth. Each team takes five golfers to every tourna- ment, with the four lowest scores used to calculate the overall team score. After losing six players to graduation the previous year, Carras just could not get the necessary con- sistency out of the bottom part of his lineup. Keith Hinton proved to be a solid No. 2 player by posting an average score of 75.1 throughout the season, whil Kevin Vernick's average score of 75.9 filled the third spot. Unfortunately for Michigan, no one really stepped up to win the fourth and fifth positions as six different golfers occupied those spots at some point in the year. Although Hinton and Vernick were lost to graduation this year, the rest Qf the Wolverine team will be returtijg next year. This should provide plenty competition for the opportunity that four of these golfers will have to join Mike Harris and win one of the top fiv spots in the lineup. They will also have two new team- mates as Carras was able to brin in' two talented recruits this -year.'- Andrew Chapman from the Flint irea and Andy Matthews of Grand Rapids will compete for playing time on next year's Wolverine squad. In addition to battling for playing time, Chapman and Matthews also must live up to the Michigan tradition of excelling in the classroom and, becoming outstanding citizens of the community. JOHN KRAFT/Daily Sara Jackson's Importance to the Michigan volleyball team may not be felt until t he season Is underway. Jackson left among the career kills leaders. year's recruiting class who has the poten- tial to be a viable replacement. "We don't expect her to be as good as Mendoza, that is too much to ask of any- body," said Giovanazzi, who is not allowed to talk about recruits by name. "She has the potential to be a good setter for us." There was a lot of excitement at Cliff Keen Arena last season, and there is a lot for the Wolverines to be proud of. That makes this season vital in the growth process. The Wolverines would rather use this season as a spark to a new era in Michigan volleyball as opposed to being a flash in the pan. "There was a funny feeling of accom- plishment on the bus coming home" after the tournament loss, Giovanazzi said. "However, we are looking forward to more successful seasons in the future." AIR FORCE ROTC Y 4!K r A VlIcs b/ %.- - GOC FRIE mom LN Jk-/v <'0 7; . ' n 5 zsf r Walul A WARNING: RUNNING IS ADDICTIVE. ASK FOREST GUMP. 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