The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 15 Netters overcome disarray Netters look for momentum By Eric Ambindr Daily Sports Writer After each win, the Michigan women's tennis team's MVP for the match writes the score on a board in its lockerroom. Every spring, Michigan coach Bitsy Ritt evalu- ates the board to help her select the year-long MVP. But there's a problem this year - the handwrit- ing for each score is different. "Our team is so balanced this year," Ritt said. "There have been so many players who have stepped up, worked hard and improved this season. I couldn't name (the MVP) right now." At week's end, the No. 40 Wolverines (5-3 Big Ten, 12-6 overall) rank near the top of the Big Ten, but are a bubble team for the NCAA Champi- onships in May and are in as much disarray as the WNBA - literally. Half of the team is injured. Four of the eight girls on the team are currently suffering ailments that could keep any one of them out of action this weekend against Wisconsin (3-5, 8-11) and No. 23 Northwestern (5-2, 14-8). Junior Kavitha Tipirneni has been sidelined for a majority of the dual-match season with a fractured left arm. Senior Jen Duprez sprained her ankle dur- ing Saturday's match and won't be able to practice until Friday. The other senior, Joanne Musgrove, has been feeling intense pain in her shoulder for the past two weeks and is not slated to practice until the end of the week. Junior Chrissie Nolan almost collapsed with severe arm and leg cramps after Sunday's match, and her status is uncertain. Ritt admitted that this year's team has faced more adversity and injury than any other team she has ever coached in 19 years, but said this may not be such a bad thing. "This is a very tough team psychologically and emotionally. I think that's one of the reasons why we have been able to overcome adversity," Ritt said. "Everyone at some point in the season has stepped up and made a significant contribution." Filling in for injured Duprez and Musgrove, freshman Debra Streifler has not lost a doubles or singles match in the past four matches. "Debra is good under pressure, and she always finds a way for us," Ritt said. Michigan No. 1 singles player Michelle DaCos- ta has also helped relieve the weight of injury, not dropping a set in her past four contests and win- ning seven of her last eight matches. DaCosta's doubles partner, Leanne Rutherford, is playing some of the best tennis of her career. She has won 18 of her past 21 matches and leads the team in most statistical categories. Rutherford was named Big Ten Athlete of the Week in late March for her accomplishments. Despite all the injuries, Ritt feels this team is as confident as ever. "Our morale is high. Things haven't gone our way, but (the team) has accepted it and has been doing the best they can, given the situation," Ritt said. "We have been able to win a lot of matches with that mindset." And with only two matches remaining for the Wolverines before the Big Ten Championships, they will need to heal quickly. heading towar By Brad Johnson Daily Sports Writer After facing the nation's No. 1 team last weekend, the road ahead does not get any easier for the Michigan men's tennis team. The Wolverines play Northwestern and Wisconsin at home this weekend and then travel to Evanston to participate in the Big Ten Championships the following week. "Coming into the tournament, the players are excited," assistant coach Dan Goldberg said. "They're looking forward to it." Last Sunday, Michigan fell 6-1 to top- ranked Illinois. The match was a positive learning experience for the Wolverines, who were able to finally get used to playing out- doors after a long winter of indoor tennis. "We adjusted a little bit better outside (against Illinois)," Michigan coach Mark Mees said. "You get a couple days under your belt, and then you adjust." But against Purdue the previous day, the Wolverines had substantial difficulty mak- ing the adjustment to play outside. "Right across the board, we had some sit- uations where the guys struggled with their timing outdoors," Goldberg said. Getting a handle on that timing will be crucial during the next two weeks of the season. Both of this weekend's matches will be played outdoors, as will the Big Ten Championships, which begin April 24. d postseason One of the things that will work in Michigan's favor during the tournament is that the squad will not be dealing with the unknown. "We have faced all of these teams before," Goldberg said. "It boils down to peaking at the right time. There are no secrets; we know all of these players." In order to give themselves the best shot at being successful, Goldberg feels that the Wolverines need to improve several aspects of their game, including the team's shaky doubles play. The doubles lineup has been reshuffled several times in order to find a successful combination. The latest pairings feature junior Anthony Jackson and sophomore Josef Fischer at the top spot. The coaches would also like to have the team firing on all cylinders in singles com- petition as well. "When we've had success and done well, we have had six guys that have gone out and given us a chance to win at all six (sin- gles) spots," Mees said. This weekend is an opportunity for Michigan to gain momentum and make final adjustments before the Big Ten championship. "We haven't done as much winning as we would have liked this year," Goldberg said. "But the guys come back recharged, refo- cused and ready to go." SETH LOWER/Daily Michigan freshman Debra Streifler has won four straight matches filling in for injured starters. On Saturday, the Wolverines will play Ritt's alma-mater Wisconsin before taking on North- western on Sunday. With a sweep this weekend, and a little help, Michigan could snag a share of the Big Ten regular season title. "Our goals haven't changed," Ritt said. "We haven't given up and looked to next year - we look to next practice. We have high expectations for the rest of the season." 4' I Voted Ann Arbor's Best Pacaging Store AIL BOEEC" e Small moves, long or international " Summer Storage $25 per box* *through September 6, 2003 I e UPS " FEDEX * Ship Freight sell books " Professional packing " Fully Insured " Boxes, tape, bubble wrap and peanuts get L Free Curbside pick-up (3 box minimum) * We move entire apartments and homes I