The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - Septernber 20, 1999 - 98 Tan Ryn finds OHL the best fit for now -20W Stingy Stewart steps on foes' opportunitie VAN RYN ntinued from Page 1B was a tough decision all the way. Every route I could take was great. I loved it at the University of Michigan, I loved everything about it, but I needed a couple more things." One of the biggest factors in Van Ryn's decision to leave Michigan was the lack of games played in college hockey compared to juniors, but Van Ryn opted for Sarnia over the *nadian National Team for different reasons. "I thought I was going to the national team, but when .I got there I just had second thoughts," Van Ryn said. "When I came to Sarnia I just real- ly felt comfortable. They've been A-I from the start. They drafted me when I was fifteen and they've kept me rotected ever since. They knew that ad my heart set on going to the University of Michigan, and they never pressured me to do otherwise." For now, the Sting couldn't be hap- pier to have Van Ryn skating for them. "We know he was weighing some other options, and we're just glad that he decided to play for us," Hunter said. But Van Ryn's stay with the Sting will be short-lived. Van Rvn is already one of the Sting's three over- agers (players who are already 20 years old). Under the rules of the OHL just three players with a birthday before 1979 can play on a team. Van Ryn's destined-to-be-short stay with the Sting (this can be his only season) may be an attempt to avoid playing for the National Hockey League's New Jersey Devils. The Devils, who drafted Van Ryn 26th in the first round of the 1998 NHL Draft, are notorious for low- balling their rookies and for keeping them in the minors. But according to NHL rules, the Devils only hold the rights to Van Ryn for two years, after which he becomes a free agent. Whether or not Van Ryn is using the Sting as a fire escape from New Jersey is uncertain. But for now, he hopes that he's made the right deci- sion for his future. By Dan Williams Daily Sports Writer Goaltender Carissa Stewart was a key factor in a 1-0-1 weekend for the Michigan soccer team. Stewart allowed just one goal in two games, helping the Wolverines salvage a 0-0 double overtime tie with Penn State yesterday, just two days after knocking off Ohio State on the road, 2-1. Stewart registered her second shutout of the season against the Nittany Lions. Michigan (1-0-1 Big Ten, 4-2-1 overall) tied Penn State (0-0-1, 3-2- 1) for the third consecutive year in the regular season. The teams battled to a 1-1 tie last year in Ann Arbor, after playing to a scoreless tie in State College in 1997. The Wolverines have a 2-4-3 all-time record against the Nittanv Lions. Freshman Abby Crumpton - Michigan's leader in goals with four - and senior Emily Schmitt contin- ue to provide a large amount of the Wolverines' offense. Each had three shots against Penn State, despite failing to punch one home. Stcxwart registered her second shutout of the season. Penn State, last year's Big Ta champions came into the match ha - ing lost a 1-0 decision to No. - Florida on Friday, and upsetting pr viousv No. ; North Carolina earlier this season, On Friday, the Wolverines opened Big Ten play with a 2-1 victory over Ohio State (0-1, 4-2-1) in Columbus. (rumpton netted both goals for the Wolverines in their fifth consecutive win over the Buckeyes. Crumpton scored her first goal in the 16th minute on a thigh volley, Schmitt assisted the goal on a cross. Freshman Lindsay Eckles tied the game for the Buckeyes off of a pass from sophomore Elisa Hamilton. It was Eckles' sixth goal of the season. Schmidt started the play on Michigan's second goal as well, sending a corner kick into the center of the box. After two saves by Ohio State goalie Amber Barnes, Crumpton punched in the rebound. Michigan outshot Ohio State 18- 12 In the contest. It was the sixth conScCutive game the Wolverines had outshot their opponent. FILE PHOTO After just two years as a Wolverine, former Michigan defenseman Mike Van Ryn began his post-Michigan career in an exhibition with the Sarnia Sting on Saturday. Floyd no match for 'M' volleyball USA TODAY/AVCA COACHES' PoolL As of Sept. 13 (first place votes in parentheses) I U SAROLINA Continued from Page 18 'With nowhere else to go, the Wolverines decided to rally and come- back in the third game. Michigan clarged back after the intermission taking a commanding 10-3 lead. Middle hitter Anne Poglits provided great service during the run with two aces. utside hitter Nicole Kacor hit a 8attack percentage for the third game, despite South Carolina's block- ers and its fans. "When I was taking my approach outside I was an inch from the bleach- ers," Kacor said. "There were five guys who were screaming mean stuff at us, and we had to block that stuff out." .But on the strength of its fans, South Carolina mounted its own comeback to 4 e a 15-14 lead. After denying two necock game points, Michigan nar- rowly won the third game, 17-15. The slow starts that plagued the Wolverines earlier in the match reemerged as Michigan found itself dawn, 14-9 in the fourth game. Maxwell took control, hitting a key kill to:end South Carolina's last chance at game point of the match. 'Maxwell served the rest of game " to win, 16-14, thanks to impres- 6kills by middle blocker Joanna Fielder, Kacor and herself. Maxwell and Poglits also led an impressive showing at the net, registering seven and six blocks apiece, respectively. The Wolverines didn't allow them- selves to comeback again winning "the best game they've played all year," Rosen said. Setter Shannon Melka orchestrated the offense that never let South Carolina in front, providing ellent passing. The fluid teamwork Kwed Michigan to side out at an out- standing 82 percent. The Wolverines closed out the deciding fifth game, 15- 11. "This weekend was a little bit of a struggle," Rosen said. "It was the first time where we had everything to lose and nothing to gain, but we competed really well. We didn't execute very well. But if I had a choice between the two, I'd take the competitor" The Wolverines didn't have any problems sweeping Virginia the next day, despite having only a half day's rest after the draining five-game win. Fielder hit six kills to bring Michigan back from an early 6-4 game-one deficit to win 15-9: Fielder again stepped up in the sec- ond game breaking a 13-13 tie serving the two final points to win, 15-13. Melka again ran Michigan's offense to easily win the third game, 15-5. Outside hitter Alija Pittenger provided great defense again, notching her 300th career dig against the Cavaliers. The two wins allowed Michigan to head into the Big Ten season riding the momentum from a four-game winning streak and a 4-1 record against teams that made the NCAA tournament last season. Michigan opens the Big Ten season against Ohio State this Friday at Cliff Keen Arena. Lessons That WilE Last A Lifime. Team 1 Pacific (55) 2 Penn State (1) 3 Hawaii (3) 4 Long Beach(1) S Nebraska 6 Florida 7 Stanford 8 Texas 9 U-C Santa Barbara 10 Pepperdine 21 Michigan Pts. Prey. 1,494 1 1,404 2 1,392 3 1,306 4 1,261 5 1,201 6 1,108 7 1,093 8 1,034 9 940 11 315 25 Put that college degree to use by enroliing into the Air Force Officer Training School. Upon successful completion of the Off icerTraining School, you will become a commissioned Air Force officer with earned respect and benefits like - great starting pay, medical and dental care, management and travel AIM HIGH opportunities. For more on how to qualify and get your career soaring with the E =Air Force Off icerTraining School, call 1-800-423-USAF or visit our website at www.airforce.com www.airforce.com R Mercer welcomes back all Michigan students and faculty. Fall presentation 4:30 pm October 19, 1999 Davidson Hall, 1275 , r R 94 #y R Rk . .h i m V V 2L.U5VJLU , t..