20A - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, March 30, 2000 tennis falls to Irish, 8-1. Golfer earns Big Ten honors Michigan men's golfer Michael Harris was named as the Big Ten men's golfer of the week for his win at the Doctor Pepper Tanglewood Intercollegiate on March 25-26. Harris notched a 10-under-par total of 206. His finish was the best individual per- formance for the Wolverines. under coach Jim Carras. The Tanglewood victory was Harris' fourth title in eight tournaments this season, and the eighth of his college career. This season he also has won individual titles at Falcon-Cross Creek Invitational, Stan Sheriff Invitational, and Mauna Kea Collegiate.r - From staff and wire reports By Joe Smith Daily Sports Writer Michigan women's tennis coach Bitsy Ritt said just one player can make a big difference in a tennis match, even one as lopsided as the Wolverines' 8-1 loss to Notre Dame last night - their worst loss of the season. If this was the case, then how much of an effect could three players have'? Michigan (1-3 Big Ten, 6-6 overall) found out the hard way as they not only had to battle No. 13 Notre Dame (14-5), but also three key absences at the end of their lineup. These missing players could have had an effect on five of the eight points the Wolverines lost - in two sin- gles and three doubles slots. Missing in action were freshman Jen Duprez (illness), sophomore Jen Vaughn (hip injury) and senior Erryn Weggenman (with family in Portland after brother's death). These Wolverines have been key components to Michigan's success this year by giving them added depth at the No. 4, 5 and 6 slots in the sin- gles lineup. But that's not all. The trio are also con- sistent contributors in doubles competi- tion and their absences forced Ritt to jug- gle her lineup quite a bit in an attempt to find players who could step up and jump- start their bid for an upset. Juniors Alison Sinclair and Marya Farah teamed up for only the second time this season at No. 3 doubles, and fresh- man Joanne Musgrove took Duprez's place at No. 2 doubles, teaming up with senior co-captain Brooke Hart. Even if the Wolverines were fully healthy, they might not have beaten the streaking Fighting Irish - who have won six out of their last seven matches. But things could have been interesting. "I knew going in that Notre Dame was strong team," Ritt said. "They've been one of the strongest teams in the Midwest for years, but I felt we would be compet- itive." At some spots the Wolverines were competitive, with Hart coming up short in a hard-fought, three set war with Notre Dame's No. I 1 Michelle Dasso. Her fellow senior co-captain, Danielle Lund, displayed her mental toughness in a thrilling comeback victory against Becky Varnum. Lund had lost the first set and fell behind 4-1 in the second. "I still felt like I had a chance, Lund said. "I played her last year and was also down 4-I. I came back in that match, so I had confidence I could do it again." And she did. Lund wouldn't say die as she fought back to take the second set in a tiebreak- er, and then wore Varnum down to win the third and decisive set. But these two bright spots weren't enough to hang with the talented Fighting Irish, who took a resounding 5- I lead after singles play. "We had our normal lineup competing at the first four slots, Ritt said. "But they outplayed us in most positions. So you have to give them a lot of credit.' With the nine-point dual match techimi cally already over at that point, the dou- bles competition served another purposD# The doubles "were a great opportunity for every team to get experience and compare where they are to higher level teams," Lund said. Unfortunately for the Wolverines, one of those higher level teams includeid the No. 20 tandem in the nation, which set the tone by winning at No. I doubles. But Michigan will not have a lot- of time to dwell on its loss, with two more matches at home - Southern Floridavn Friday and Marquette on Sunday. "We need to do well this week," Ritt said. "We need some wins over ranked opponents so that we can get a good s4d in the Big Ten Championships, along with an invite to the NCAAs." HARTBREAKER: Yesterday, senior co- captain Brooke Hart was named Big Ten Player of the Month for her outstanding performances. Hart is 4-0 in the confer- ence and leads the team with 17 victore,. She also has an impressive 11-4 mark against Midwest Regional opponents and consistently gives the Wolverines a strong force at the No. I singles slot. Sanders returns bonus to Lions DETROIT (AP) - Barry Sanders has repaid the Detroit Lions $83,333, the balance of his prorated 1999 sign- ing bonus, his agent said yesterday. Sanders received an $11 million signing bonus when he signed a six- year contract in 1997. He played two years before startling the NFL by leav- ing football on the eve of last summer's training camp, just 1,458 yards shy of breaking Walter Payton's NFL career record of 16,726 yards. Arbitrator Sam Kagel ruled Feb. 15 that Sanders must repay one-sixth of the'bonus for each year he fails to play under terms of the 1997 contract, or $1.833 million per year. Chuck Schmidt, the Lions' chief operating officer, said at the time of Kagel's ruling that the club already had withheld $1.75 million of the signing bonus from the check they sent Sanders for last season. The $83,333 payment Sanders made means the issue of the 1999 bonus has been settled, said his agent, David Ware. Sanders would owe the Lions $1.833 million this year if he does not report to training camp in July, something Ware said would not happen. "I don't know how they could fit him in. They've got a running back,' Ware said, referring to former Jacksonville running back James Stewart, signed Feb. 14. Messages were left yesterday at the home and office of Lions spokesman Bill Keenist. KIMITSU YOGACHI/Daily Senior co-captain Danielle Lund's impressive comeback victory represented the Wolverines lone bright spot in their 8-1 loss to No. 13 Notre Dame. M women head to Regionals By Sarah Ensor Daily Sports Wnter After opening postseason competition with a record-setting win, the No. I Michigan women's gymnastics team returns to the site of that glory this week- end to compete in the last stepping stone before the NCAA Championships. The Wolverines travel to Penn State on Saturday to compete in the Region V Championships. The top two teams from each of six regions nationwide will qual- ify for the promised land of collegiate women's gymnastics - the NCAA Championships in Boise on April 13-15. Michigan is looking for its second consecutive regional crown and the fourth such title in team history. The Wolverines won last season's Region Ill meet in Lincoln, Nebraska en route to a runner-up finish at NCAAs behind even- tual champion Georgia. "We're really looking forward to get- ting going with the rest of the postsea- son," Michigan coach Bev Plocki said. "The kids are confident, they're feeling excited that it's payoff time, and we have had a great deal of success, which has increased our level of confidence. Joining Michigan in Region V compe- tition will be No. 12 Florida, No. 18 Penn State, New Hampshire, Pittsburgh and Rutgers. The Wolverines have already experienced success against their two ranked opponents, defeating Florida twice and Penn State once earlier in the season. Assuming all goes as planned, there should be few obstacles in the Wolverines' path to Boise. "Basically I think we're in a very good position as far as what region we're in, junior tri-captain Bridget Knaeble said. "That's our attitude going in. I think if we keep competing like we have been, we're definitely into nationals." Adding to this propensity for success is the fact that the Wolverines are no stranger to Penn State's Rec Hall. Two weeks ago at the Big Ten Championships, the Wolverines lit up the arena with a score of 197.85, the highest in team historv. The milestone perfor- mance included five individual champi- onships, a sweep of the Big Ten's post- season awards and a record eight Michigan gymnasts named to the All-Big Ten Team. Ready to dominate how overmatched is the competition when it faces off against the Michigan women's gymnastics team? The Wolverines lowest score in the past six meets is a 196.8. That's higher than the best time all season for any of Michigan's opponents this weekend. Team Penn State Florida New Hampshire Pittsburgh Rutgers Best season score 196.575 196.025 195.375 195.275 193.9 Returning to a venue in which they have experienced so much recent success boosts the self-assurance of the already confident Wolverines. There will be no need to accustom themselves to the facil- ity, the equipment, or the surroundings, as all will be as they left it two weeks ago after their record-setting win. "I think that returning is going to be an advantage," Plocki said. "Having just been there, we're used to the arena and the equipment. We were successful, and therefore we feel good about going back." SAM HOLLENSHEAD/Daily The No. 1 Michigan women's gymnastics team will see familiar surroundings this \weekend, when it returns to Penn State for NCAA Regionals. Results as of 11 p.m. - Home team in CAPS. MLB Scores Yesterday's results: 01140 AT NY MES. LAT (sOM i'e. TowOM O.,t N JAPAN) NBA Standings E.AunANIC Miami New York Philadelphia Orlando New Jersey Boston Washington EcENTRAL Indiana Toronto Charlotte Dtroit Mnlwaukee Cleveland Atlanta Chicago WWDWEST Utah San Antonio Minnesota Dallas Denver Houston Vancouver W L PCT 4426.629 4327.614 42 28.600 3636.500 3040 .429 3041,423 2546.352 die 1 . 2 9 14 14 19 W L PCT G8 4724.662 - 40 30.571 6 3831 .551 8.5 3633.522 10.5 3337 .471 14 27 43.386 19. 26 44 .371 20 14 55.203 32.5 W L PCT 08 47 22 .681 - 4625.648 2 43 27 .614 4 3140.437 17. 28 43 .394 20 27 44 .380 21 19 50 .203 32.5 HOME AWAY STK 26-7 18-19 Won 1 298 14.19 Lost i 25411 17-17 Won 7 22-13 14-23 Won 5 2115 9-25 Won 1 22-12 8-29 Lost 5 15-20 1026 Won 2 HOME AWAY STK 31-5 16-19 Lost 3 23-13 17-17 Won 1 25-10 13-21 Won 3 24-11 12-22 Won 1 . 19-17 14-20 Won 1 19-16 $27 Lost 2 19-17 7-27 Won 1 10-24 4-31 Lost 1 SCOOP Continued from Page 9A The radio contract Martin was refer- ring to was Michigan's deal with Total Sports Network, which report- edly was cancelled because TSN was insolvent and couldn't make its scheduled payments to the athletic department. Michigan State recently signed a deal similar to Michigan's with TSN, prompting one to wonder if TSN would be able to make the remain- ing payments to Michigan, given that it appears to have enough finan- cial stability to sign a new contract with Michigan State. "Frankly, I don't think" Michigan would be able to collect, Martin said. "I believe that contract was with a separate limited liability company. Usually you sign with dif- ferent entities so if one goes bank- rupt, it doesn't bring down the whole house." - Chris Duprev can be reached-via e-mail at cduprev@umich.edu. i t HOME AWAY 26-9 21-13 27-8 19-17 23-13 20-14 16-19 15-21 21-14 7-29 1917 8-27. 10-24 4-31 STK Lost 1 Won 4 Lost 1 Won 2 Lost 1 Won 2 Lost 1 - 'A - \fr shmyea A W4ACIFIC W L PCT 081 LA Lakers 59 12 .831 - Portland 5119 .729 7 Phoenix 45 25 .643 13 Sacramento 4129 .586 17 Seattle 40 30 .571 18.5; Golden State 17 54 .239 42 LA Clippers 14 58 .194 45 Yesterday's results: P DAvA 101. Washngton 93 C Charlotte Ai Dawt. t ' New York 47 Stit. OtI LA lakers a VAcoveL, t HOME AWAY 31-4 28-8 V 25-9 26.10 L 30-6 15-19 L 28-7 13-22 V 21-14 19-16 L 10-24 7-30 L 10-25 4-33 L "ladephia i UTAHE T Wcago A CaiVA. tAZE sTK Won 6 ost 2 Lost 1 Won 1 ost 4 ost 6 ost 8 sophomo "" , ., , ,, 5 g NHL Standings w.W4RAL. St. Louis Detroit Chicago Nashville W L T 48 17 10 46 22 9 29 38 9 27 43 7 WNCMOMr W L TI Colorado 37 29 11 Edmonton 29 31 16 Vancouver 28 34 14 Calgary 30 37 9 WPACFIC Dallas Los Angeles Phoenix San Jose' Anaheim E-#ORnIET Toronto Ottawa Buffalo Montreal Boston W .L T1 42 26 8 36 30.10 35 33 7 32 35 9 32 33 12 W L T1 41 27 7 38 2611 32 34 10 32 35 9 23 34 18 RY PTS HOME AWAY 0 106 22-86 26-94 2 103 26.9-3 20-136 2 69 13-19-5 16-194 7 68 14-22-3 13-214 RT PTS HOME AWAY 1 86 22-12-4 15-17-7 8 82 17-12-9 12-19-7 8 78 16-19412-15-10 5 .74 19-12-6 11-25-3 RT PTS HOME AWAY 5 97 21-15-3 21-11-5 4 86 19-154 17-156. 3 80 20-16-2 15-17-5 7 80 20-163 12-19-6 2 78 1&14-7 14-19-5 RT PTS HOME AWAY 3 92 2311-51&16-2 2 89 22-11-5 1615.6 3 77 20-13-5 12-21-5 3 76 16-16-5 16-194 6 70 11-17-1012-17-8 w1 Want to Work During the Fall/Winter Semesters? The Michigan Dailv will gi vou the onnrtuinitv to i I