Wednesday, September 6, 2000 - The Michigan Daily - New Student Edition - 7E *IlA tennis rollercoaster i%.. : a.. <. : x A millennium ride Despite the unexpected twists and turns, there were many high- lights in the first season of the new millennium for both the men's and women's tennis teams. Men - Advanced to second round of NCAA's - Senior Matt Wright qualified for NCAA Singles Championship - Peaked at a No. 18 National ranking Women - Advanced to quarterfinals of Big Ten Tournament - Senior Brooke Hart earned All- Big Ten honors along with being named Big Ten Sportswoman of the Year AP PHOTO E Much like the Millennium Force rollercoaster at Cedar Point, the Michi- gan men's and women's tennis teams went on a wild ride this season, with many ups and downs. K. :v T v -C; The train stops too> *.soon for men netter By Jeff Phillips Daily Sports \\riter The 2000 season of the Michigan men's ten- mts team was like a rollercoaster - filled with highs and lows but it ended sooner than expected. The Wolverines fell in the second round of the NCAA tournament to Texas Christian Uni- versity. Despite its best finish in four years, the team was disappointed. A season that began with so much hope ended well, but not as well as they wanted. "We accomplished a lot of our goals, but it is still disappointing," first-year Michigan coach Mark Mees said. Behind the leadership and experience of four seniors, the Wolverines began the season by winning seven consecutive dual matches - including winning the Great Northwest Shootout in Washington. But a close loss to Tulane University was a sign of a downfall to come for Michigan. The Wolverines endured an uphill battle of a tough Big Ten schedule, hampered by a back injury to senior and No. 1 singles Matt Wright and lingering injuries to most of the team. The Wolverines finished fifth in the confer- ence, but returned to form just before the Big Ten Tournament. Michigan won their final five matches of the regular season - including a big victory over Notre Dame at the Varsity *fennis Center. Michigan advanced to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament, where they fell to rival Illinois in one of the closest matches in Michi- gan history. "After we lost a couple close matches, we just thought What if?"' Mees said. With the end of the season came the end of the careers of Wright, John Long, Brad Mc Far- Rowers are ready for best season eROWING Continued from Page 6E showed the strength of the Big Ten Con- ference in rowing. "It was a big step for the Big Ten." Michigan coach Mark Rothstein said. The fifth-place finish for the Wolver- ines at the national championships was bittersweet, particularly because it was the third straight fifth place finish for 0them. Last year the team missed a sure third place finish by six inches. This year the Wolverines had their best team ever, but so did everybody else. But fifth in the nation is not a bad season by any stretch of the imagina- tion, and the last three years have shown that Michigan is a consistent contender for the title. As with last year, depth will again be the key for the Wolverines in the 2000- 2001 season. The team will lose only *four seniors, although three are from the varsity boat. Of those three, the team will lose coxswain Belinda Koo, who was an integral part to the success of the ,Wolverines the past three years. "Belinda leaving will be a big loss to our team;" Johnson said. There is a sense of urgency now, par- ticularly because the junior class is so large. Another chance like this may not wome up for a long time, and the soon- to-be seniors want to leave their mark on Michigan history. "The time for building is over, we're all on our way up," Johnson said. Tradition is quickly being built, and a precedent is being set fobr the future oi lane and Ron Nano. But with the depar- ture of' the seniors comes the rise of the younger Wolverines ready to step on board. Six players return for Michigan, includ A " Abu mp ride for Blue tennis By Joe Smith Deily Sports Writer For the Michigan women's tennis team, this past season had more ups and downs than the new roller- coaster, Millennium Force, at Cedar Point. Expectations were high as the season began, with three talented and experienced seniors returning. This trio of veterans led Michigan to its first ever Big Ten Championship their freshman year, and com- bined with two impressive recruits, the Wolverines were optimistic that another title was just beyond the horizon. But they had to hold on tight, because it was going to be a wild ride. Easily cruising down the first hill, the Wolverines raced to a 4-0 start, beating up on nonconference opponents while reaping the benefits of the return of senior Erryn Weggenman. Weggenman had been sidelined for 15 months with a severe wrist injury, but her comeback solidified Michigan's doubles tandems and her No. 6 singles slot. But, as always, what goes up must eventually come down. The Wolverines made the quick turn to their con- ference schedule feeling a little queasy. Losing their next three matches to top-notch opponents, Michigan bowed down to the defending Big Ten Champions, No. 18 Northwestern and Illinois after being hum- bled by SEC powerhouse Kentucky. Then, reaching the top of another hill was head coach Bitsy Ritt, as she notched her 200th victory over spring break at San Diego State. This milestone looked to turn the momentum of the Wolverines' season. But, another intimidating hill was staring the Wolverines in the eye, as two top 20 teams visited the Varsity Tennis Center. An unexpected 180 degree turn of events jolted not only the bodies, but the hearts of the Maize and Blue. News arrived that Weggenman. had to face adversi- ty once again, as her brother, Ryan, was killed in a car accident in Palm Desert, CA. Instead of focusing on their next two matches, senior co-captains Danielle Lund and Brooke Hart made the 2,000 mile trek to Portland, Ore. along with coach Ritt to support their teammate and friend. "We were glad we went," Ritt said shortly there- after. "We just wanted to show our support and how much we care.,. The rest of the team had to handle the sudden twist of events, while going through an emotional roller- coaster of their own. Things didn't get easier, as more bad news was on the way. This rocky turn also brought about the seriousness of sophomore Jen Vaughn's hip injury, which side- lined her for the rest of the year. This doubles player was not the only Wolverine to suffer from aches and pains this past season, as Lund, freshman Jen Duprez Three Stars From top to bottom: Daily Sportswriter Joe Smith's picks for Players of the Year rank from rookies to veterans. Senior Brooke Hart: Hart saved her best for last, as she netted 23 victories at the No. 1 singles slot in her h final campaign - earning All Big-Ten honors and the award for Big Ten Sportswoman of the Year. Freshmen Jen Duprez and Joanne Musgrove: "Thrown into the fire" right away, these rookies handled themselves well. Duprez notched the clinching victory in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament and ended the season on a five match winning streak, while Musgrove notched 19 wins of her own at the No. 4 singles spot. and junior Szandra Fuzesi all missed significant action due to injuries. "Every team in the conference is just one iijury away from being average," said Ohio State head coach Chuck Merzbacher, whose Buckeyes remained injury-free most of the season en route to a Big Ten title. After two straight home losses, the Wolverines found salvation on the road as they dominated their rival Spartans, 7-0 for their first Big Ten victory. But the final straightaway of the season made the Wolverines want the ride to end. They lost six of their last nine conference matches, including two by a score of 4-3. Every match was a struggle for the Wolverines, but they still had to prepare for the con- ference tournament that they were going to host in late April. "Nothing came easily for this team," Ritt said. "Nothing." They were around .500, and needed a few ranked wins in order to make their case for the NCAA selec- tion committee, which was going to decide on May 5th who would be dancing in tennis' "May Mad- ness. Weggenman muade her return for the tearm's last few matches, and the Wolverines gained some speed and momentuy1 going into the final hill. But, losing the doubles point in their first rtnd match against No. 9 seed Wisconsin, Michigan's hopes were slowly diminishing. In every tiatch played in the conference format, the team that won the doubles point went on to win the match. Except one. In mid-April, the Wolverines fell behind 1-0 totle same Badger team beforL roaring back to win four of six singles matches and take the victory. Deja vu occurred once again as freshman standout Duprez came back to win a three-set thriller over Wisconsin's lone senior at No. 5 singles to clinch the win. Michigan's ride wasn't over yet. The Wolverines ran into Big Ten champion Ohio State in the quarterfinals, and losing the doubles point once again proved too much to overcome, thanks to the almost automatic No. 1-4 Buckeye sin- gles players, who hit the brakes and put Michigan away for good. That instant, the four year ride of the three seniors was finished. "I hoped it would never end," said senior co-cap- tain Brooke Hart, who went on to be selected to the All-Conference team along with being named Big Ten Sportswoman of the Year in her final campaign. But for the rest of the Wolverines, much like all of the Millennium Force riders, they can get back up and have a chance to ride again. _ ing junior Henry Beam, who tied Matt Wright for most singles victories. Juniors Bent Cox, Danny McCain and sophomore Zach Held also return to the team after gain- ing experience during their last ride. "We want to make sure we improve during the summer, Mees said. "It is important to play in tournaments in the off-season." Two sophomores will look to contribute in their second season for Michigan. Chris Rolf and Chris $ Shaya saw limited action last season, but Mees has high expectations. "Both players are very talented, but lack experience," Mees said. "But both are very capable .of coming back ready to contribute." Freshman Anthony Jackson will be expected to compete soon after his arrival to Ann Arbor. "I think he will be a great addition to the team, and he will fit right in.' Mees said. With no seiors on the team, juniors Beam, Cox and McCain will be expected to lead the Wolverines on the uphill climb of the 2000-2001 season. Z t f:. } ;4 A"T""7- *1 4r: ENSIAN yearbook ORD E RA BOOK TODAY! College memories will live on forever in your very own copy of the Michiganensian yearbook. A genuine Michigan tradition recording life at the University since 1897. COME BE A PART OF ONE OF THE NATION'S PREMIER ICOLLEGE YEARs.BOOKS! Do you have journalism experience and want to work for an award winning college yearbook? The ,Michiganensian is now hiring staff for the 2000/2001 school year. 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