The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, March 14, 2001 -1 'M'ready to use new By Seth Klempner Da ports Writer Over a month ago, the Michigan women's tennis team started a stretch during which it would face its hardest non-conference opponents of the sea- son, play outdoors for the first time since fall and play two of the best teams in the Big Ten. Over that stretch, Michigan has lost all six of its matches. The Wolverines Seniors set for their final bow By Naweod Sikora Daily Sports Writer This past weekend's meet with UCLA would have been an excellent time for the Michigan women's gymnastics team's regular season to end. Although they lost, the Wolverines seemed to be in postseason form, notching an overall team score of 197.125 - their second highest of the season - and a balance beam score of 49.125, their highest of the season. Plus, with UCLA in town, it was a matchup between two teams that would most certainly meet again in Georgia at the NCA A finals. But the regular season is not over yet. Sandwiched between UCLA and the Big Ten Championship on Mar. 24 is this Saturday's meet C RISLER ARENA Who: Michigan (30 Big Ten, &7 overall) vs. West Virginia (13-2) When: 7 p.m. Latest: Bridget Knaeble's back is injured, but she will compete on Saturday. This will be the final regular season meet. were shut out ira. four of thand won just- seven of te51 mathes p a~d. toing into th..stretch cimbh Bitsy Rit wanted "Senior night has always been very special for me and the team, Plocki said. "We always have someone who puts up a great performance on senior night, so I expect our team to be excited." This Saturday's meet will also give Michigan an opportunity to continue its adjustment to Crisler Arena before they host Big Tens and NCAA Regionals there. Although the meet with UCLA was the first time they had competed in Crisler this sea- son, the team seemed to welcome the'- change of scenery. "It's a lot of fun, I love competing here," Michigan senior Christine Michaud said. "We had a big crowd and they were pretty enthusiastic. Everybody was pretty excited to be here tonight, and I am glad that we are going to be here for a few more meets."~ .The only thing that isn't going Michigan's way right now is the health status of K~naeble. Knaeble's back, which had been bothering her all season, seems to have gotten worse over the past week. "Bridget was feelinig a lot of pain during the UCLA meet," Plocki said. "Her back issues have been something that we have had to manage since the start of the season. It seems to have gotten worse recently, so she has been going to a physical thera- pist to improve the condition." Despite the injury, Plocki expects Knaeble to be'in the lineup Saturday night as usual. Once again, the Wolverines seem primed and ready to take on the best in the nation. But before they get another crack at the national title, they mdXst finish the regular season against West Virginia on~a high note. VARSITY TENNIS CENTER Who: Michigan (0-2 Big Wetrn Michigan (45) When: 6 p.m. Latest: After a 3-0 start to the year, Michigan has dropped six straight meets., her team to gain experience by facing to~ competition. It would be a chance fie team to learn from top players aidncrease its learning curve. :lMichigan is a young team with three stiting freshmen - two of whom occu- pjrte top spots in the lineup - plus one sotpiomore in starting singles and anoth- et-WJio starts in doubles. The experience gaied over that stretch will be invalu- ab]e once the Wolverines get into the he :t of their Big Ten schedule. Itt has been a tough season," fresh- nImd No. 1 starter Kavitha Tipirneni sa'We are a young team and we have a bof taent. We have learned to come together at times like this."' 9Qming together now is crucial if theire to stop the losing streak. Over the iiext week the Wolverines will be faciig weaker teams they are expected to beat as well as teams of equal talent. But Michigan must be careful not to und estimate its opponents. Western Migan has already beaten a Big Ten teamf this season in Purdue, which beat Miigan last year. '1We can't come in with the attitude that Western Michigan is a gimme," Ritt said.~"We are going to be ready to play. They are one of the most talented teams in the MAC and capable of upsetting people." The good news for Michigan through this stretch has been the health of the ter d their ability to avoid injuries. e team received stretching help from a track coach which was meant to help loosen up the muscles and prevent muscle strains and pulls which have been disastrous in previous seasons. In addition to avoiding needless injuries the Wolverines are also getting previously injured players back into the lineup. Sophomore Jen Duprez has pl . well since coming back from an o asoninjury. Thus far, she has just played doubles but has strengthened the pairing, winning one of the two matches she-played with partner Jen Vaughn. emwith No. 17 West Virginia. Although the meet does no.t carry the same attention as those surrounding it, -~.... ~it 1s certainly not insignificant. "This meet will definitely not be small by any means," Michigan coach Bev Plocki said. "They will be tough, and we have to stay up for them." Since it is the final regular season meet, the EN . Wolverines will hold their senior night on Saturday. BRANON SEDLOFF/Daily Seniors Bridget Knaeble, Christine Michaud and Janessa Grieco performs her routine at the UCLA meet. She and the Wolverines will have to Karina Senior, will all be honored for their efforts compete once more an a regular-season meet before the Big Tens. over the past four years. Women send0t ongS IsandTeUieriyo __-I Eset akb WOMEN's SWIMMiNG LONG ISLAND, N.Y. CHAMPiONSHIPS By James Mercier Daily Sports Writer Think there will be no March Madness for Michigan this year? Think again. Fans of women's swim- ming will have plenty to cheer about this weekend, as the Wolverines are sending a large delegation to the NCA A Championships in Long Island, N.Y. A total of 10 swimmers from No. 12 Michigan will be competing - just two fewer than No. 1 Arizona. After achieving their preseason goal - the Big Ten title - the Wolverines will need to regroup and set their eyes on the national prize. But the Wolverines will have to compete without star freshman Samantha Arsenault, a gold medalist in the Sydney Olympics. "She's had a shoulder problem, and it's gotten worse lately," Richardson said. "She needs to rest for a lengthy period of time, and she's getting a head start in healing by sitting the NCAAs out." Arsenault's decision to sit out the NCAAs weakens the team consider- ably, but Richardson had no qualms about it. "In December, she had the choice of sitting out the rest of our season and preparing for the World Championships or competing for the Big Ten title. She chose to put the team ahead of herself. That's the kind of character you see on a champi- onship team." Michigan's team in Long Island will be long on ability but short on experience. Just two of the swimmers making the trip are seniors. One of them, Jen Crisman, is a returning All-American in multiple freestyle and backstroke events. Crisman appears poised to have another strong national meet after leading all individuals in scoring at the Big Ten Championships. "She's our highest-seeded swim- mer, and I would love to see her fin- ish with All-America honors," Richardson said. "I think she'll give us some great swims." Missy Sugar, the other senior, has also achieved All-America status before - in the 200-yard freestyle- and enters the meet in top form. "She's had a great summer and has swam well this season," Richardson said. "Her confidence is very high." Like her team in general, junior backstroker Lindsay Carlberg's sea- son peaked at the conference meet, as she set personal bests in both the 100 and 200-yard events. "This is her second trip to the NCAAs," Richardson said. "I think she's ready to step up and score in this year's meet." The remainder of Michigan's NCAA team is composed of under- classmen. Four sophomores - Erin Abbey, Sara Johnson, Laura Kaznecki and Traci Valasco - will be making the trip, along with a trio of freshmen - Lori Eberwein, Emily Fenn and Annie Weilbacher. Johnson has excelled in both the 200 and 400 individual medley events, and was a major factor at the Big Ten meet. Valasco, a breaststroke specialist, will compete in her first NCAA Championships. "She's a very technically-oriented swimmer," Richardson said. "If her stroke timing is on, she'll swim her fastest at the NCAAs." Fenn is the team's top mile freestyler, but faces the same chal- lenges as many of her teammates. 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