4 Sports -. ..._L!- --- n-!1-- F Page 20 Friday, May 8, 1981 M' TO HOST BIG 10 TOURNEY ^^ "^"''n [) il ne mcnigan uany Blue hoping to 'net' 14th straight I By BARB BARKER " The Michigan men's tennis team has won 25 conference titles in 71 years and has not lost a Big Ten Champion- ship since 1967. " The conference-leading Wolverines are currently undefeated in Big Ten play this season. " Three Michigan netters, Michael Leach, Matt Horwitch and Mark Mees currently hold Big Ten championship singles titles. Today Michigan will be shooting for its 14th consecutive conference crown when it hosts the Big Ten Cham- pionship Tournament. The meet runs through Sunday at the varsity courts outside the Track and Tennis building. "This event is a showcase of the finest tennis players in the nation," said Michigan head coach Brian Eisner. "We will be defending our champion- ship against some pretty fierce com- petition, but I think we can come up on top." Three teams, Minnesota, North- western and Ohio State are considered Michigan's strongest obstacles in its pursuit of the 1981 Big Ten title, accor- ding to Eisner. But all three teams have fallen to the Wolverines this season in addition to suffering at least one other Big Ten defeat. "The injury factor has posed a real problem in these teams' dual meet records this season," said Eisner. "For example, Mike Balkin of Northwestern was out of two weeks during which his team fell to Ohio State and Iowa. Everyone will be back in the line-up." Michigan's Leach who is currently undefeated this season with 21 straight victories, will be seeking his second consecutive singles crown. Last year, Leach, who is the tournament's top seeded player, dethroned then Big Ten singles champion Ernie Fernandez of Ohio State in a close, three set, 5-2 tie-breaking victory. Fernandez, who lost this season to Michigan's Mark Mees, will be attempting to reclaim the title he won as a freshman. In addition, the number one singles player from Northwestern, either Paul Wei or Mike Balkin, could be a factor in the race for the title, said Eisner. "Mike has had just an excellent year with his 21-0 record," said Eisner. "Fernandez, who will probably prove to be his stiffest competition, sports a 19-6 season record. I am very confident that Horwitch will look to capture his four- th consecutive second doubles cham- pionship. Only one other recent netter, Michigan's Jack Nienken, has held such a record with four consecutive titles at the fifth and sixth singles slot. "There are a host of superior tennis players at the number two slot," said Eisner. "Both Ohio State and Min- nesota are sure to present formidable competition. Matt definitely has the capability to come out on top but he does have his work cut out for him." Mark Mees will also be defending his title at the number three singles spot. Mees, who won the title last year as a freshman, has a 16-5 record this season. Horwitch and Leach will attempt to repeat as Big Ten champions in first doubles. The duo is 15-3 overall this season. "There are at least four very good doubles teams," said Eisner. "Because of the fast type of play which occurs in doubles, there are more chances for up- sets. A ecou le of kv zhntz aicdd 4 4 . p. r VUIV!Ky snots anu goof Eisner serves here and there could grab the ... assesses Big Ten tourney title for an underdog." SPOR TS OF THE DAILY: Rockets top Celtics BOSTON (AP)-Moses Malone, Houston's dominating center, scored 31 points to lead the Rockets to a 92-90 upset of the Boston Celtics last night, tying the National Basketball Association championship series at one victory apiece. The Celtics held an 82-75 edge with 7:09 to play, but were limited to just eight points the rest of the way as the Rockets rallied to win. Houston outscored Boston 22-8 from the foul line, getting 11 of those free throws from Malone. The next two games of the best-of-seven playoff final will be pla'yed in Houston tomorrow and Sunday afternoons. The victory broke Boston's 14-game winning streak against the Rockets, a string dating back to Dec. 12, 1978. Despite committing 12 turnovers and being outscored 12-1 from the foul line, the Celtics held a 49-45 halftime advantage on the strength of 62 percent field goal shooting compared to 33 percent by the Rockets. Reynolds released The Los Angeles Rams have released starting middle linebacker Jack Reynolds as a result of their inability to sign him to a contract. Reynolds is the second star- ting linebacker that the Rams have not been able to come to terms with this year. Outisde linebacker Bob Brudzinski walked out on the team after nine games last year. He was traded to Miami last month. The Rams' first round draft choice this year was Mel Owens, an outside linebacker out of Michigan. According to a Ram spokesman, a decision will be made during an upcoming mini camp as to whether Owens will remain at outside linebacker or move to the inside. Other possibilities include second round draft choice Jim Collins (Syracuse) and veteran Carl Ekern. Women netters travel to MSU The Michigan women's tennis team will compete today in the SMAIAW tour- nament in East Lansing. The Wolverines, who hope to defend the title they won last year, will encounter CentralMichigan, Western Michigan, and the host team, Michigan State. Michigan enters the meet with a 13-6 record. The winner of the meet will qualify for the regionals with the second place team possibly being selected. Woody hospitalized at OSU COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)-Former Ohio State University football Coach Woody Hayes was a patient in the school's hospital complex yesterday after admitting himself the day before. Officials at University Hospital would not disclose the nature of his illness. The confirmed, however, that Hayes admitted himself at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Hayes suffered a heart attack in June 1974. IQ 4 4 0 4 MOSES MALONE OF THE Houston Rockets, center, prepares to go up against Rick Robey, left, and Larry Bird, right, both of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of NBA championship play last night at the Boston Garden. Malone's 31 points helped the Rockets even the best-of-seven series at one game apiece with a 92-90 win. SCORES American League Oakland5. Detroit3 Mta . 5 e Torono6, clevelando 2Cincinnati 3. Pittsburgh I Nationa League NBA Playoffs HousonN6hiagoHouston 92, Boston 91 Los Angees2.Phliadelphi aISeries ted. i-i 4