2B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - March 31, 2003 CLUBSPORTSWEEKLY Worst to first: In just two years, volleyball now atop Big Ten By Maggie Adams Daily Sports Writer "We're looking for a top-five finish at nationals this year, which is a totally reasonable, reachable goal," junior Tim Roche said of the men's club volleyball team. Its three practices a week seem to have paid off this year, vaulting the team to eighth place nationally and first place in the Big Ten Tournament for the first time in the team's 15-year existence. "Everyone was at their pinnacle at the Big Ten Tourney," junior Duncan Hromadka said. Michigan's tournament title run included victories over Indiana - their archrival and the top-ranked team in the country - No. 21 Purdue and No. 25 Ohio State. They also had two men on the six-person first team All-Big Ten Tournament roster. This level of success is a far cry from the Wolverines of two years ago, when they were tied last in the nation (45th). An improvement that massive in two years is especially impressive since the team handles all coaching, management and fundraising responsibilities itself. They attribute the enhanced play to confidence in one another. "We know what to expect from each other," Hromadka said. "After three years working with each other, we can come from behind. Our game has come together as we've all become friends." Roche agreed: "The talent level is the same, but we have a better mental level. Now we know what it takes to win." They cite their annual Michigan State game as evidence of their turn- around. "We used to lose every game," Hro- madka said. "For six years, we didn't beat them once. But for the last two years, we've dominated them." "We really want to erase the 'fairy sport' label," Roche said. "Volleyball isn't taken seriously in Michigan, but in places like California, it's a major sport." However, Midwest support for the sport has been on the rise. The Big Ten Tournament has been around for 10 years, and five Big Ten teams are cur- rently in the top 25. "We want more respect for Midwest volleyball programs," Hromadka said. "This year there was phenomenal tal- ent, and we're hoping that helps our region gain respect around the nation." Said junior Scott Klier: "We also want to let people on campus know what we're doing. We always recruit at Festifall, and we hope that interested guys check out our website and seek us out." They also have a B-team, which they describe as "a developmental team," mostly comprised of in-state students who show interest in the sport, but don't yet have the skill level to play for the A-team. "Most of the guys on the A-team are juniors, so we want to make sure there is a next generation when we graduate." They've still got one more year, though, and they're looking to make the best of it. "Next year is going to be a lot of the same, if not better," Roche said. "We're going to be driving all over the Mid- west, living together in two houses on Greenwood again, and trying to add another Big Ten trophy next to the one already in the trophy case." ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Who: Jason coben Sport: Diving Hometown: Newtown Square, Pa. Year: Junior High School: Marple Newton Why: coben captured Michigan's first-ever NCAA platform diving national championship on Saturday in Texas. The junior posted a 575.80 in the competition, good enough to tie him for the title with Auburn's caesar Garcia. Coben 'MSCHEDULE Tomorrow Softball at Western Michigan, 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 2 Baseball vs. Central Michigan , 3 p.m. M Tennis at Michigan State, 6 p.m. Friday, April 4 Baseball vs. Minnesota, 3 p.m. Softball vs. Iowa, 3 p.m. Saturday, April 5 W Rowing vs. Michigan State and Eastern Michigan, TBA Water Polo at Arizona State Desert Challenge, 5 p.m. W Golf at Indiana Invitational Baseball vs. Minnesota M Track/Field at Yellow Jacket Invitational W Track/Field at Yellow Jacket Invitational Sunday, April 6 W Tennis at Indiana, 10 p.m. Water Polo at Arizona State Desert Challenge, 10 a.m. Baseball vs. Minnesota, 1 p.m. W Golf at Indiana Invitational LAKY SCOREBOARD Blast from the past Youthful Tigers ready for Trammell's first season DETROIT (AP) - Alan Trammell may attract as much sympathy as sup- port during his first season as manag- er of the Detroit Tigers. One season after tying Tampa Bay for the worst record in baseball, the Tigers may actually have less talent on the field for their former star short- stop from the 1984 World Series champions. Detroit didn't bring back four of its most-productive players - All-Star Robert Fick, team MVP Randall Simon, solid starter Mark Redman and closer Juan Acevedo - and didn't get much back in return. On Friday, Damion Easley was released - even though Detroit must pay him $14.9 million over the next two seasons. "We had more recognizable names, but it doesn't necessarily mean we were more talented last year," team president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "I think we're on the verge of having a lot of players that people will recognize for the years to come." Trammell said he would be disap- pointed if Detroit - baseball's losingest team the past decade - had another 100-loss season. But he knows he doesn't have a lot to work with. "We're going into it somewhat short-handed," Trammell said. "And we don't have all the pieces of the puzzle in place. Does that mean you just lay over? No." Last season, Detroit ranked last in the major leagues in runs, home runs, walks, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and were second-to-last in hits and errors. Detroit is going into the season without Fick and Simon's combined 36 homers and 145 RBIs, Redman's team-tying eight wins and Acevedo's team-high 28 saves. The rotation is in question because knuckleballer Steve Sparks is the only pitcher on the roster with at least 21 major league starts and he may not even be in the rotation while 20-year- old Jeremy Bonderman is making the huge jump from Class A ball to being a major league starter. "What we don't have in experience we make up for in talent, trust me," said starter Mike Maroth, who was 6- 10 as a rookie last year. Dean Palmer, Dmitri Young and Bobby Higginson all must stay healthy and hit like they have in the past for Detroit to score more runs. All three are coming off injury- plagued seasons. Detroit also is counting on power and pitching from first baseman Car- los Pena, Bonderman and reliever Franklyn German, who were acquired from Oakland in a three-team trade that sent ace Jeff Weaver to the New York Yankees last season. "We will not be embarrassed game after game like were last year," said Pena, who hit 19 homers in 115 games last season. "We are going to play the game the way it's meant to be played with all-out effort and focus. That wasn't the case all of the time last year, but this year it's going to be different.' Trammell, who coaxed former manager Sparky Anderson to his first spring training since retiring in 1995, hopes to restore pride to the uniform adorned with the old English "D" by having former teammates Kirk Gib- son and Lance Parrish on his staff. The Tigers haven't had a winning sea- son since 1993. "First of all, we need to get these players to expect more of themselves," Gibson said. "We've also told the guys that we're going to be aggressive and attack. I've said, 'I don't care how you battle, just find a way.' And believe me, we'll find a way." 01 NBA STANDINGS EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION NHL STANDINGS EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION New Jersey Philadelphia Boston Orlando Washington New York Miami W 45 43 40 39 34 32 23 CENTRAL DIVISION L 28 29 34 34 38 41 50 L 26 30 32 39 45 48 49 59 Pct. .616 .597 .541 .534 .472 .438 .315 Pct. .634 .583 .562 .466 .392 .351 .310 .192 GB 1.5 5.5 6 10.5 13 22 GB 3.5 5 12 17.5 20.5 23 32 New Jersey Philadelphia NY Islanders NY Rangers Pittsburgh NORTHEAST DIVISION W Ottawa 49 Toronto 42 Boston 35 Montreal 28 Buffalo 26 SOUTHEAST DIVISION W AP PHOTO Detroit Tigers manager Alan Trammell tests the new, shortened left field fence at Comerica Park yesterday. His outfielders hope they won't be in this position much. Easley highest-paid player to ever be cut W L 44 20 41 20 34 31 32 34 26 42 Detroit Indiana New Orleans Milwaukee Atlanta Chicago Toronto Cleveland w 45 42 41 34 29 26 22 14 L 21 27 30 34 35 L 23 28 38 34 39 T 8 13 10 9 6 T 8 7 9 8 9 T 15 8 7 13 11 OL 5 4 2 3 5 OL 1 3 4 9 8 OL 5 6 5 9 .. 6 PTS 101 99 80 76 63 PTS 107 94 83 73 69 PTS 90 88 68 68 61 Tampa Bay Washington Atlanta Florida Carolina 35 37 28 23 22 GF GA 203159 191162 216214 200 218 182 242 GF GA 252178 230 202 232 226 196 228 179203 GF GA 212197 215212 210273 170 227 167 227 WESTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE NORTHWEST DIVISION CENTRAL DIVISION DETROIT (AP) - Damion Easley became the most expensive player cut loose in baseball history when the Detroit Tigers released him Friday with $14.3 million still owed on his contract. The 33-year-old infielder is in the fourth season of a $29.9 million, five-year contract. The Tigers must '! 1 ° THE MICHIGAN DAILY CRITICS' PRESEASON PICKS uemnaro i-ce Jim Weber Tigers Record Tigers MVP 63-99 AL Pennant Winner NL Pennant Winner World Series Champion Surprise Team Breakout Player AL MVP NL MVP Franklyn German New York San Francisco New York Florida Jose Cruz Jr. Magglio Ordonez Barry Bonds 49-113 Carlos Pena Oakland St. Louis Oakland Houston Mark Prior Alfonso Soriano Bonds pay him $6.5 million this year, $6.5 million in 2004 and a $1.3 million buyout of an $8 million team option for 2005. "It's definitely not a proud day, I can say that," Easley said. "It's some- what of a relief to know what my fate was... I knew that 100 percent they were going to let me go." Easley was Detroit's regular second baseman through 2001, but injuries limited him to just 85 games last year, when he hit .224 with eight homers and 30 RBIs in 304 at-bats. Easley hit .256 (10-for-39) in the spring with three homers and five RBIs. The record for the most money owed to a released player was set just last Saturday, when the Tampa Bay Devil Rays cut Greg Vaughn, who is guaranteed $9.25 million this year. PUCKETT ON TRIAL: A witness testi- fied Friday in a Minneapolis court- room that he saw former Minnesota Twins star Kirby Puckett drag a woman into a men's bathroom at a restaurant, and that she appeared terri- fied when she came out moments later. Alan Anderson, 31, was at the Red- stone American Grill in Eden Prairie early Sept. 6 when Puckett allegedly forced the woman into a stall in the bathroom and grabbed her breast before she escaped. "He was dragging her into the bath- room. She was trying to resist him," Anderson said on the second day of testimony in Puckett's trial. Anderson said he saw her try to hang on the door frame and saw the woman's friend yell her name into the restroom. He said he thought they were dating, until she emerged. "She was terrified. She was almost in tears. She was about to break down," Anderson said. He said she replied "no" when he asked her if she was all right. "I thought this isn't right. Something happened here," he said. Prosecutors say the stiffest sen- tence they would seek for Puckett is no more than a year in jail if he's convicted on all counts. Dallas San Antonio Minnesota Utah Houston Memphis Denver W 54 52 46 43 38 26 16 L 18 20 28 30 35 46 57 Pct. .750 .722 .622 .589 .521 .361 .219 Pct. .712 .625 .583 .528 .486 .479 .306 GB 2 9 11.5 16.5 28 38.5 GB 6.5 9.5 13.5 16.5 17 29.5 NORTHWEST DIVISION W PACIFIC DIVISION Sacramento Portland LA Lakers Phoenix Golden State Seattle LA Clippers QM9 W L 52 21 45 27 42 30 38 34 36 38 34 37 22 50 PACIFIC DIVISION W L Dallas 43 17 Anaheim 38 26 Phoenix 30 35 Los Angels 30 37 San Jose 28 36 Vancouver Colorado Minnesota Edmonton Calgary Detroit St. Louis Chicago Nashville Columbus W L 46 20 41 22 28 33 27 32 28 40 NOTES Golf team finishes 12th at invitational The Michigan men's golf team fin- ished in 12th place with a team total of 308 at the Johnny Owens Invita- tional this weekend in Lexington, Ky. Leading the Wolverines were Dave Nichols and Mark McIntosh, tying for 22nd with a total of 231. Scott Carl- ton finished with a total of 237, which tied him for 46th place. Michigan will not play the next two weeks before playing in the Kepler Invitational in Columbus. 45 39 40 36 27 L 21. 18 27 25 35 T 9 9 11 13 T 12 13 10 8 12 T 15 9 9 6 6 OL 3 6 6 6 3 OL 1 8 1 9 4 OL 4 5 4 5 8 Crew hangs tough with Ivy Leaguers The Michigan crew team had its first full-length regatta of the season last weekend in Princeton, N.J. The Wolverines first varsity eight finished in a time of 6:19.65, behind Princeton (6:18.0) but ahead of Brown (6:20.63). The second varsity eight finished behind both Princeton and Brown with a time of 6:31.57. Michigan also raced a first varsity four and a novice eight, which fin- ished in second and third place, respectively. Michigan will return home next Saturday to host Eastern Michigan and Michigan State. al PTS 104 97 73 73 66 PTS 103 99 91 89 70 PTS 105 90 73 71 70 GF GA 253 192 240 204 191213 182 198 202 250 GF GA 260200 236183 190170 218 214 178221 GF GA 238168 194185 193 219 190212 205228 The Bradford Group is an international company and the leader in direct marketing of limited-edition collectibles. We hire top talent; we support initiative and encourage creativity. MARKETING ASSOCIATE The excellent communicator and strategic thinker we seek will assist in managing, executive and analyzing activities for direct mail promotions, along with mailing selection and management of mailing components. Must possess a Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Finance, Economics, Accounting or related field. A minimum of one year strong internship experience preferred. Strong quantitative, analytical and PC skills and the ability to work on multiple projects are required. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE Responsible for assisting product development managers in concepting and developing product series and preparing product for presentation to the company. Responsible for managing schedules for artists, overseeing contact with artists, and various other administrative and project management tasks. RA nr RFA d aanre in Art Art istAnr, -ine/Studin Arts .Illstration Prodnct Desigin Rclntina Stronn internshin pynpriAnce or a Rangers fight off the Ang s, rally monkey 0l ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - With Game 7 winner John Lackey on the mound, ThunderStix in the stands and the Rally Monkey on the scoreboard, the Anaheim Angels started this season the same way they began last year - with a thud. Alex Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez and Michael Young homered, making man- ager Buck Showalter a winner in his Texas debut as the Rangers beat the World Series champion Angels 6-3 last night in the major league opener. Lackey was hit hard as the Angels dropped their fourth straight opener. runs on eight hits in five innings. In his last outing, the 24-year-old right-hander became the first rookie to win the sev- enth game of a World Series in 93 years when he gave up one run in five innings of the Angels' 4-1 victory over San Francisco on Oct. 27. Ismael Valdes made his first start in an opener and got the win against his former teammates, allowing three runs on seven hits in five innings. Ugueth Urbina, signed as a free agent over the winter, pitched the ninth for the save. He had 40 last season for Boston last year. I