12 .- The Michigan Daily - Tuesday October 10, 2000 DUPREY Continued from Page 1 edged at home in '98, 25-24. And last season, Michigan State's outside angle at the national title game was promptly dismissed by Purdue, 52-28, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers give this team fits, and will likely do it again Nov. 11. Lastly: the Land Grant Trophy game, at Penn State on Nov. 18. It's another solid opportunity for State to steal-a victory. But if they enter that game 0-7 in the conference. the pres- sure could prove too much. Plus, Penn SMate-Michigan State games tend to be close. regtardless of the skill of the teams involved. It' an outside chance, I'm aware. Still, Michigan fans need some ammunition to use against Michigan State's basketball prowess. Clowning the Spartans for an 0-8 Big Ten mark isn't as good as a national championship of our own, but hey, what the hell, we're sports fans. We'll be petty if we have to. Given the way our own team's playing, it looks like we will. - Chris Igne' can he reached at c'up~re(aumich.edu. Spikers' attitude 'rocks house' .- .- -- - r'-C. --t- - --- - -a- I I& 1 I 7( withthis ad on any replan sundae incudhn# Hot Fudge.Banana S t i Waffle Cone, Cookie Dough Brownie Sundae. I * 1I VERMONT'S FINEST *ICE CREAM FROZEN YOGURT,, i X04 S. State Street o Ann Ar or, MI a 734-665-4440 1 Valid with coupon. One coupon per cutomer. Expires10/19/00 By Kristen Fidh Daily Sports Writer Energy, attitude and the drive to fight characterized the Michigan vol- leyball team this weekend, whether it won or lost. This past Friday, the Wolverines beat Indiana 3-2 during their Rock the House event. Saturday, they came up short, barely losing to Penn State, 3-2. One thing remained consistent though - the Wolverines' positive attitude. If the announcer said, "Attack, Nicole Kacor. Point, Michigan," the Wolverines gathered and slapped hands in celebration. If the announcer said, "Net viola- tion, Michigan. Point, Indiana," the Wolverines gathered and slapped hands in encouragement. Maybe it was the nervousness of being on the road that troubled Indiana and Penn State. Nevertheless, Michigan had the chemistry. Ranked eighth in the Big Ten, Indiana posed some competition, especially in game three. Though the Hoosiers won 15-2. Michigan rejuve- nated their energy to come back for a win. "It would have been real easy to just roll over after getting beaten 15- 2, but they found some heart, some charisma and some character and really competed," Michigan coach Mark Rosen said. If the constant encouragement between plays didn't bring the game- winning energy, Katrina Lehman's on-court voice must have. "Hit the ball!" "Come on, Shannon!" "Put it away, Jo!" Lehman is a leader in pumping up the team as well as scoring points as one of Michigan's middle blockers. "I feel like everyone has a different role in the team, and I feel like that is my role. I have to keep the team ener- gized and keep the team positive." Indiana and Michigan seemed evenly matched, as both teams excelled in attacking and blocking. The problem for both, though, lied in digging. Utilizing its substitutions, Michigan was able to step up the defensive level, bringing in junior Cobey Shoji, who earned a total of 17 digs. "We have been struggling defen- sively, and she hasn't been on the floor," Rosen said. "She came in and made a big difference - a big impact in our defense." Losing to Penn State, last season's NCAA champs, Michigan's attack lacked strength, but overflowed with energy. Until the last serve of the match. "What keeps me going? I hate to freaking lose," Nicole Kacor said. "If that means we are down, the game still isn't over, and we have to come back strong." The Wolverines came back strong for two hours and 14 minutes, with just one problem. Michigan struggled defensively, and the Nittany Lions did not. Friday's defensive problems were corrected by adding Shoji and Olson, but the 18 allotted substitutions were taken up by the constant switch of set- ters Shannon Melka and Nicole Poquette. Penn State's hard hitter, Mishka Levy, played over Melka's head, showing a need for Poquette's height. Melka then came in when Penn State had the ball, leaving no room for Friday's defensive key. "That was a tough one," Rosen said. "It hurts. It' hard, and I know it is even more so for the girls because they put a lot into it. But, at the same time, I think we played well, and I am proud." Men's tennis advances two teams in doubles of JTA The top singles performers this week- end for the Michigan men's tennis team were Junior Greg Novak and upstart freshman Anthony Jackson. Novak, improving with time after a three set marathon (6-4, 6-7, 6-2), went on to win his next two matches in more dominant fashion (6-4, 6-4; 6-3, 6-0). His run came to an end at the hands of Martin Jirak in a 4-6, 5-7 loss. Jackson battled back in his second round match from a 1-6 thrashing to take the final two sets 6-3, 6-2. With the help of a no-show in the third-round, the freshman advanced to the round of 32 where he fell in straight sets (4-6, 2-6) to Jorge Haro. In symmetrical fashion, Henry Beam cruised through the first round 6-1, 6-1, but came up short in the second round to Magnus Kullenberg 4-6, 4-6. Junior Ben Cox extended his week- end one match further as he gave up only 12 games in his first two matches (6-4, 6-3) and (6-2, 6-3). In a lopsided third round, Cox lost another 12 games but this time it resulted in a 6-2, 6-1 defeat. In doubles, Jackson and Cox enter the third round of play after two 8-3 victo- ries. The No. I duo of McCain and Beam walked throuh the first-round with a bye, and escaped the second-round when their opponent withdrew. They will take on the team of Doug Deviendt and Martin Jirak in the round of 32. The Wolverines will be lookng for revenge against Jirak, who ended Novak's run in the singles competition. - Mike Bloom S BRIEFS Mets provi ' bulletin board materi for Cards 01 NEW YORK (AP) - The Mets aren't shy about expressing their pref- erence for playing St. Louis instead of their nemesis, the Atlanta Braves, in the NL championship series. "I was a little relieved," reliever Turk Wendell said of the Braves being elim- inated. "That is a team that mentally puts a lot of pressure on other teams. It puts pressure on guys to think that they have to be perfect." New York has been far from it against Atlanta. The Mets are 14-29 against the Braves the past three sea- sons, including a loss in last year's NLCS. And while the champagne was spraying throughout the New York clubhouse Sunday after eliminating San Francisco in four games, the Mets were happy not to have to answer ques- tions about why they are spooked by Atlanta. "Nothing derogatory against them, but I'm glad to see them lose," first baseman Todd Zeile said. "This team has not had much success against them. But I dowt@ think anybody really cares who we're playing, as long as we're there." The Mets are 26-10 against the Cardinals, making it is easy to under- stand why the Mets are relieved they are opening the best-of-seven NLCS tomorrow night in St. Louis instead of in Atlanta. Mike Hampton (15-11) is expected to get the start for New York against It. Louis' Darryl Kile (21-9). "I'm glad we don't have to answer* questions about why we can't win in Atlanta," left-hander Al Leiter sai. "That became a nuisance" The Cardinals head into their first NLCS in four years well rested, having swept the Braves on Saturday. The Mets took an extra day to eliminate the Giants, but both teams have their pitch- ing rotations set up perfectly. ALCS Preview Game 1 Who: Seattle at NY YANKEES When: 8:12 p.m. T.V.: NBC PITCHERS: Seattle: Garcia (9-5) NY YANKEES: Garcia Neagle (15-9) HISTORY: The two teams last met in the playoffs in 1995 in the divisonal series, when the Mariners defeated the Yankees in extra-innings of game five to advance to the ALCS. NCAA Football Leaders RusHING Yds Yds/g TD LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU 974 194.8 12 Michael Bennett, Wisc. 940 188.0 6 Damien Anderson, N'westem 1050175.0 13 Ken Simonton, Oregon St. 813 162.6 10 T 1 rn rk C Mlh . OSt 1 1 F)n R