The Michigan Daily - Friday, October 1, 2004 - 11 Blue takes to ice for exhibition By Jake Rosenwasser Daily Sports Writer It's just a weekend of exhibitions, but don't tell that to the Michigan hockey coaches. New NCAA rules have prohibited the veteran staff from run- ning practices until tomorrow, but once the puck hits the ice at Yost, the coaches expect to see a Michigan team that is ready to compete. The Wolverines will host Windsor tomorrow and will play the Blue/White Intrasquad game on Sunday. "We're trying to treat Windsor like a regular con- ference game," associate head coach Mel Pearson said. "It's going to be more difficult though, because we've had no real contact with the players." Captain's practice has had to make due in the coaches' absence, and the team's experience should ease the transition from practice to game situations. The Wolverines return 10 seniors, while adding just two freshmen, who have yet to get acclimated to the college game. "The fact that we have so many returning play- ers makes things easier," Pearson said. "We have an idea about our lines and we're trying to find spots for our two freshmen forwards where they can have some success." The coaches have high expectations for new- comers Kevin Porter and Chad Kolarik. Both have skated with the U.S. National Team Developmental Program since 2002, and both have already been drafted into the NHL. "Kevin Porter is more of an all-around player," Pearson said. "He plays well defensively without the puck and offensively he can really shoot it. He's a hardworking, solid player. "Chad Kolarik is a flashy player, who might be a little more exciting to watch. He's a very good skater with a lot of speed and creativity." Tomorrow, the freshmen will be introduced to Yost, but Michigan captain Eric Nystrom will sit the weekend out with a rib injury. Despite par- ticipating in practice, Jason Ryznar will also be unavailable while he continues to recover from off- season surgery stemming from when his head got cut by a skate last season. Fortunately for the Wol- verines - T.J. Hensick, last year's CCHA rookie of the year and lead Wolverine scorer - will prob- ably play in spite of a groin injury. One of the reasons that the coaches are so seri- ous about these games is that the real season opener is just a week away. The Wolverines will travel to Duo gears up for record year By Ben Voss For the Daily To a volleyball player, one of the most satisfying moments is a per- fectly executed kill. There is a short- lived feeling of relief in knowing one's team is another point closer to victory. The feeling continues through a quick round of high fives, and the players prepare for the next rally. Senior outside hitter Jennifer Gandolph knows that feeling well. In her four years at Michigan, she's had that feeling 1,372 times. "My favorite (kills) are the ones at the ends of long rallies," Gandolph said, "It's the exclamation point at the end of a match." Gandolph already holds Michigan records in both digs and attempts, and is just 12 kills away from break- ing Michigan's all-time record. Gan- dolph continues to rewrite the record books, but her main goal lies in sup- porting the team. "As long as I do my job and take care of what I'm supposed to, (the record) will come," Gandolph said. Gandolph did her job on Tuesday when she made the final kill against Notre Dame, winning the match 3- 1 and scoring a career high of 26 kills. While Gandolph is commonly the player to put the point away, she said she can't do any of it without the help of fifth-year senior setter Lisa Gamalski. Gamalski is also expected to break the all-time setting record by the end of this year. "It has really paid off to have the same setter for all four years," Gan- dolph said. Gandolph and Gamalski have become a lethal duo on the court. FILE PHOTO While they've been teammates for four years, Michigan coach Mark Rosen believes their effectiveness ncoming has greatly increased this season. going to Their chemistry might come as a sur- prise considering they were once each ad game, other's biggest club volleyball rivals. ual Skate Four years ago, on a rainy Sunday, can skate Gamalski was Gandolph's host dur- ing the recruitment progress. "I was a freshman at the time, so I didn't really know my way around yet," Gamalski said. "We walked s around with our stuff looking for the LAO Campus Inn for hours." After a rough start, Gamalski n. In the began a good relationship with Gan- the items dolph and hoped she would join the learned. team at Michigan. ach other "I would have been devastated if aid. she didn't come," Gamalski said. pute not- Luckily for Gamalski, Gandolph ppy with joined her and they started on a ley have journey that has led them to break- nd filthy ing records today. is, home- "I knew I would have the same with close setter for four years so I knew we would have a ton of time (to devel- op)," Gandolph said. The two have similar values on and off the court. Both coming from athletic families, they have learned the importance of hard work and dedication. During the past four years, these athletes have excelled in their abili- ties with the help of their teammates, coaches and family. "My parents have been awesome," Gandolph said. "They've missed only four games in the whole four years." Gamalski was originally an out- side hitter like Gandolph, but she was told that if she joined the team, she would have to become a setter. "As a setter, you're very subservi- ent," Rosen said. "You don't start or end the play." The conversion took hard work and a lot of faith in the program by Gamalski, and she came through with flying colors. "I told her she's been everything we've hoped for in a setter," Rosen said. Even though Gandolph and Gamalski are breaking individual records this season, their main goals concern the team. "More than ever, I want a Big Ten (championship)," Gamalski said. "I'd rather have that than my name in a record book." Tonight, the team plays Purdue. With just 12 more kills to go, Gan- dolph will likely break the all-time record. Although the statistics are what's written in the record book, Gan- dolph and Gamalski prove that it's teamwork that writes them. Because of a rib injury, captain Eric Nystrom must remain on the bench this weekend. Dayton on Oct. 8 to participate in the third annual Lefty McFadden Tournament, where they will take on Northeastern and Boston University. "We need to get in a game - we need to play against an opponent," head coach Red Berenson said. "I want to see a sense of urgency from our guys. And I want to see the young players. It's always exciting to get a look at the i freshmen. I think both these players are be real good players for us this year." On Sunday, after the Blue/White Intrasqu the Dekers Blue Line Club will host the ann with the Wolverines. Fans who are on hand< with the players and get autographs. WOMEN'S SOCCER Kickers a By Matt Singer Daily Sports Writer Every year, thousands of University students embark on an epic journey. These young men and women emerge from the safe confines of dorm life and bravely set out on their own, ventur- ing into houses and apartments. This year, five sophomores on the Michigan women's soccer team have taken that leap together - and so far, they've loved every second of it. "It's fun to live with more than one person," defender Brenna Mulholland said. "I definitely think that living with four other people on our team will help us all become better friends." Mulholland shacks up with teammates Katelin Spencer, Judy Coffman, Lindsey Cottrell and Megan Tuura in a five-bed- room apartment. While the adjustment to their new housing situation has been a positive experience, each athlete has had to learn to accept the quirkier aspects of their teammates' personalities. "We decorated our bathroom all cute and stuff before (Tuura) was here," Spen- cer said. "And then, when she got here, there were SpongeBob SquarePants tow- els and a rubber ducky. We have to be accepting of her trinkets." "I think she'd want to go on a date with SpongeBob," Mulholland added. While Tuura fawns over cartoon char- acters, Spencer has difficulty keeping track of her personal items. Mulholland recounted a recent situation in which Spencer had misplaced some cheddar cheese. For three days, Spencer frantically searched the house, swearing that she had set it down "somewhere." "Katelin freaks out about anything and everything," Cottrell said. But it was Mulholland who happened to come across the missing cheese - which had somehow found its way into the fish food drawer. "I sporadically place things like that," Spencer admitted. What won't be misplaced in the house are dishes, at least if Mulholland has her " djust to nc way. The "tidy" member of the household has come up with a theory to explain why, thus far, the house has stayed clean. "Our house, in general, is very clean, but as soon as one dish gets in the sink, there's like 20 dishes in the sink about three seconds later," Mulholland explained. "So as long as we keep the sink empty, our house is clean." While keeping a close watch on the sink, Mulholland apparently wasn't paying attention to the fridge, the site ,l w living conditio of the house's most intense political machine gun magnet in retur battle. After the Ann Arbor native and end, cooler heads prevailed, t John Kerry supporter placed a mocking were returned and a lesson was dress-up of President Bush magnet on "They're fair about letting e the refrigerator, Tuura responded with voice their opinions," Spencer s a Bush-Cheney bumper sticker. But she The occasional political dis didn't stop there. withstanding, the girls are ha "The machine gun that you could their new surroundings. Th dress Bush up with went mysteriously gladly traded in dorm food a missing," Mulholland said. bathrooms for their own room Mulholland took the bumper sticker cooked food and quality time v and held it for ransom, demanding the friends. SHUBRI OHRI/Daily Jennifer Gandolph Is poised to break Michigan's kill record this weekend. l S O M M O O M M M M E "Don't let your H A I R rnt ahnnd o f I : E: x