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Sports desk: 763-2459
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Challenging schedule awaits Michigan
By Chris Burke
Daily Sports Writer
On Nov. 9, Michigan fans will have their
first opportunity to see a women's basket-
ball team that has been ranked as high as
No. 10 by some preseason publications.
But they better try to keep that game
fresh in their minds, because it will be a
long time before they see the Wolverines in
action again.
After the exhibition opener against Latvia
Clondica, the Wolverines begin the regular
season with nine of their first 10 games on
the road. The stretch will include trips to
New Hampshire, New York, Washington
and two ventures to Louisiana.
"I hope we tease everybody in our exhibi-
tion game and we're able to get people back
when we open against Marquette (on Nov.
29)," Michigan coach Sue Guevara said
during the Wolverines' media day on Fri-
day. "When you look at our schedule, not
only are we on the road, but this is a very
challenging schedule and one that our play-
ers are really looking forward to playing.
"It will get us ready for the Big Ten."
Guevara will learn a lot about her
team right away, as the Wolverines make
their first appearance in Louisiana to
play Louisiana Tech. Last year, the Lady
Techsters made it to the NCAA Tourna-
ment's Elite Eight. But they also lost, 69-
66, in Ann Arbor during the regular
season.
After Louisiana Tech, Michigan faces
trips to Detroit, New Hampshire and Syra-
cuse before getting its home opener.
"Certainly it will help our confidence
level if we can beat Louisiana Tech and
some of these other tough teams," for-
ward Stephanie Gandy said. "It would
give us momentum going into the next
game, and getting road wins is very key
seeing as how we don't have many home
games."
Things do not get any easier for Michi-
gan after Marquette visits. Three days later,
the Wolverines take on defending national
champion Notre Dame in Grand Rapids. A
weekend excursion to Seattle to play Wash-
ington State and another Elite Eight team in
Washington will be followed with games at
See SCHEDULE, Page 6B
Inside scoop
The triple threat of LeeAnn Bies,
Jennifer Smith and Raina Goodlow
give the Wolverines a solid post
presence that ranks among the top
in the Big Ten.
Freshman phenom Tabitha Poole
stays in her hometown to energize
the Wolverines and make an imme-
diate impact.
The Wolverines play a challeng-
ing schedule that includes early
season trips to Louisiana Tech and
Grand Rapids to play defending
national champion Notre Dame.
PAGE 6B
LESLIE WARD/Daily
Michigan women's basketball coach Sue Guevara directs
freshman guard Sierra Hauser-Price In drills during practice.
Back
in
the
saddle
High and
low series
for Blue's
Komisarek
By J. Brady McCollough
Daily Sports Writer
With his team already losing 3-1
in the hostile environment of West-
ern Michigan's Lawson Ice Arena,
Michigan sophomore defenseman
Mike Komisarek handed the Bron-
cos a point-blank attempt to score
their fourth goal and put the game
out of reach.
Deep in the Wolverines' zone,
Komisarek tried to force the puck to
freshman defenseman Brandon
Rogers. The pass was intercepted, and
then thrown out front for a golden
scoring opportunity for the Broncos
on senior goalie Josh Blackburn.
"That was our worst play of the
game," Michigan coach Red Beren-
son said. "That was our worst defen-
sive lapse where we just flat out gave
them the puck."
Also in the third period, Komis-
arek was called for checking from
behind. Michigan's top defenseman
proceeded to receive a crucial rough-
ing after the whistle penalty, leaving
Michigan shorthanded for four min-
utes instead of two. This was one of
many penalties the Wolverines
picked up during the game that were
unnecessary, and took Michigan out
of its offensive rhythm.
"The penalties are killing us,"
Komisarek said. "Five-on-five, we're
as good as any team in the country.
(Taking penalties) disrupts the flow
of the game. I'd be the fist to admit
that my penalties weren't too good,
but it's a team thing, and we have to
eliminate our penalties."
After a less-than-spectacular per-
formance on Friday night, Komis-
arek did everything he could to help
Michigan split the weekend series,
introducing a facet of his game that
hadn't been released until Saturday
night - goal scoring.
Komisarek scored two goals and
added one assist, leading Michigan
to a 5-3 victory over the Broncos in
the setond game of the series. With
his two goals, he is already halfway
to equaling his output from last sea-
See KOMISAREK, Page 4B
Sophomore Erin Moore celebrates as she helps the
Wolverines beat Penn State for the first time since 1995.
Blue gts Nittan
Lion off its back
By Charles Paradis
Daily Sports Writer
Since joining the Big Ten Conference in 1991, Penn
State volleyball has dominated Michigan volleyball. In
the 10 years that the two teams have played together,
t1e Wolverines (6-4 Big Ten, 10-7 overall) are 1-22
against the Nittany Lions. But this all changed Satur-
day night when Michigan routed No. 11 Penn State in
straight games. The win snapped'a 10-match winning
streak by Penn State against Michigan, which dated
back to Nov. 18, 1995.
"It's a big win for our kids' confidence," Michigan
coach Mark Rosen said.
Rosen became only the second Michigan volleyball
coach to ever beat Penn State.
Game one of the match set the pace for the entire
night. Michigan dominated virtually every aspect of
the game. The Wolverines destroyed the Lions in
game, at one point leading by the score of 28-14.
Michigan struggled putting Penn State away, but time
had run out for the Lions as freshman Jennifer Gan-
dolph slammed home the final kill, winning the game
30-18. Gandolph led the charge for the Wolverines in
game one as she tallied eight kills against Penn State, a
team that had recruited her heavily.
"I wanted to go out and show what I can do," Gan-
dolph said. "That's why I wanted to come here."
Gandolph's excellent play extended into the second
game, where she led all scorers with seven kills and
six digs. This time, however, Penn State did not go
down as easily. The Lions showed why they are a top-
25 team as the two teams battled back and forth until a
25-25 tie. At this point, the Wolverines went on a 4-2
run spurred on by two kills by Gandolph.
With Michigan leading 29-28, the crowd at Cliff
Keen Arena rose to its feet and began to cheer loudly
for the Wolverines. The cheers seemed to have an
effect on the Lions as a reachable ball dropped
between two bewildered Penn State players.
The most baffled Penn State player in the match
seemed to be senior Katie Schumacher. Penn State's
leading offensive threat, averaging 4.76 kills per game
and accounting for a third of the Lions offense, was
See NITTANY LIONS, Page 7B
BRENDAN O'DONNELL/Daily
Junior forward Mark Mink (25) returned to Yost Ice Arena for the first time since breaking his hand during captain's practices a few weeks ago.
M'
salvage
S
series split with Broncos
By Naweed Sikora
Daily Sports Writer
What a difference a day makes.
While Michigan's inexperience played a
huge factor in its 3-1 loss to Western Michi-
gan Friday night, Michigan's top returning
players set the tone Saturday night as the
Wolverines defeated the Broncos 5-3 at Yost
Ice Arena to salvage a split in the weekend
series.
Michigan's top returning defenseman, Mike
Komisarek, set a personal career-high in goals
and points in a game with two and three,
respectively. Michigan's alternate captains
Mike Cammalleri and John Shouneyia each
scored a key goal, while junior captain Jed
Ortmeyer iced the game by scoring an empty
net goal with 30 seconds remaining in the
game that ptt the Wolverines (1-1-1 CCHA,
2-2-1 overall) up by two.
"I played Cammalleri and Ortmeyer head
on against (Mike) Bishai and (Jeff) Campbell
all night long and I thought they did a great
job, especially on the four-on-four," Michigan
coach Red Berenson said. "Our junior class is
learning what it takes to become leaders.
Cammalleri, Ortmeyer and Shouneyia need to
be huge leaders on this team.
"It's not something they should have to do
until their senior year, but with a young team,
we need them to step up for us. They were big
factors tonight, and they need to do that every
night."
Just like Friday night, the second period
was the turning point of the game. This time,
however, it turned in favor of Michigan.
Cammalleri began Michigan's second peri-
od offensive onslaught by scoring a goal six
minutes into the period to break the 1-1 tie.
Although Western Michigan's Anthony
Battaglia scored to tie the game at two later in
the period, goals by Komisarek and
Shouneyia put the game out of reach for the
See BRONCOS, Page 4B
Just kickin' it
Two overtimes not enough for
Michigan against Grizzlies
0 Defenders Carly Williamson
and Andrea Kayal have led
Michigan to nine shutouts
with aggressive, physical play.
PAGE 5B
The men's soccer team sur-
vived a late-game rally by Wis-
consin to win, 2-1. This puts
them in fourth place in the
Big Ten conference.
By Jim Weber
Daily Sports Writer
ROCHESTER - Michigan goalie Suzie
Grech collected her eighth and ninth shutouts of
the season this weekend, setting a new school
record, but the Michigan women's soccer team
still only managed one victory.
After beating Minnesota 2-0 on Friday, No. 24
Michigan tied Oakland 0-0 yesterday in a game
tht, enn.I b0havernna eithecr wnva
Suzie Grech jumped to block a ball that was
placed right under the crossbar. The ball then rico-
cheted off of the post and away from the goal.
Michigan had a brief break between the two
overtime periods that head coach Debbie
Rademacher used to talk about the team's
offense.
"We just said we can't play individually and
try and go one on one the whole time,"
Rademacher said. "They are too good for that,
wep have to wo~rk as a unit rand mocve oete.
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