Online Poll How will Michigan softball fare at the NCAA Regionals? A) Champion B) Runner-up C) Semi-finalist D) Early Exit michigandaily.com/sports SPO)RTS MONDAY MAY 14, 2001 'M' foild agaili by By Kristen Fidh Dailv Sports Vriter It was all about the rebound - bounc- ing back with confidence and high spirits after a mistake or even a poorly played game. Last weekend in the softball Big Ten Tournament, Iowa did just that by upstaging No. 21 Michigan - the regular season conference champions - in the final game Saturday in Ann Arbor. After winning over the 15th-ranked Hawkeyes 6-1 Friday, Michigan opened the championship game with control of the scoreboard. Stefanie Volpe scored for the Wolverines on Melinda Moulden's only hit of the game in the first inning. "We did a very good job in the begin- ning with keeping control when Michigan had a lot of momentum and not letting an inning get away from us," Iowa coach Gayle Blevins said. Iowa tied the game in the fifth and then closed the book 2-1 in the sixth when Jes- sica Bashor's grounder drove in Melissa Stuber for the championship-winning run. Michigan needs to rebound from Satur- day's loss this week when they head to regionals in Tuscaloosa, Ala to face Chat- tanooga. Minus Kate Johnson rowers take regiond BRAD QUINN/Dai ly Rebecca Tune slides into home to score one of the Wolverines six runs against lowa on Friday. The teams went head-to-head with solid pitching, no errors and seven hits apiece. Michigan stuck to its sharp defense and made good contact all after- noon, but it was Iowa that responded well and adjusted after every tough play. The Hawkeyes opened the game with Sara Thompson pitching, leaving their star hurler Kristi Hanks on the bench to mentally prepare. "In the fist inning, we had a chance to hit some runs, and we told the kids, total- ly expecting Thompson to come out, to try to hit the ball in the opposite field," said Michigan coach and Big Ten Coach of the Year Carol Hutchins. "We did, but we couldn't get it past Kristin Johnson." Johnson, at shortstop, dove for balls all afternoon and wasted no time in picking up every ball that came her way. By the third inning, Iowa's Kristi Hanks had fed off Johnson's accuracy and relieved Thompson in the circle. Friday, Michigan scored in the first inning when Monica Schock hit a grounder to first. Attempting the double- play, firstbaseman Alicia Gerlach over- threw to second base, and Kollen scored the run. Three more runs came in the fourth when Marissa Young knocked Rebecca Tune in from first, and Kim Bugel hit her first career homerun. Then in the fifth, Schock and Moulden knocked in Kollen and Taylor to take the game, 6-1. Thursday, Michigan beat Penn State 2- 0 by capitalizing on the Nittnay Lions' only error in the second inning. Young grounded straight to pitcher Marissa Han- son, but Hanson overthrew to first, allow- ing Mary Connor and Moulden to score. By Benjamin Singer Daily Sports Editor It wasn't the Big Ten Champi- onships, but it might as well have been. The Michigan women's crew team found its toughest competi- tion in Iowa and Ohio State at the Central Region Championships, just as it was at the conference tournament. And just like in the Big Tens, the second-ranked Wolverines finished on top. Michigan won all five of its races yesterday to cruise to first place at the regionals in Oak Ridge, Tenn. "We had some really good races," coach Mark Rothstein said. "I was pleased with all the crews." The Wolverines do not receive an automatic bid for the NCAAs, but have all but guaranteed them- selves a spot in the Champi- onships in Gainsville, Ga. from May 24-26. Michigan has finished fifth in the NCAAs the past three years. In Michigan's four varsity races, Ohio State and Iowa finished sec- ond and third, reminding the Wolverines of the Big Ten Cham- pionships. "Some of the races (at the Tens) were pretty tight," set Melanie Duncan said. "We v waiting for them to get fasts guess that means we got fat too." The first varsity eight, sec varsity eight and first varsity boats continued their undefet seasons for Michigan by w their Grand Finals yesterday. have combined to win 28 race the 2001 season. Michigan clinched victory the first varsity eight boat w the Wolverines won by just u three seconds ahead of Ohio S in its closest race of the day. race resembled the Big Ten Ch pionships two weeks ago Michigan edged out the Buck The first varsity eight despite missing senior Kate Jt son, who received the team's lete of the Year award for the t consecutive season after the Tens. Johnson also was named Big Ten women's rowing Atls of the Year two weeks ago. R stein won the conference's Cs of the Year award. . 2001 "! ,W ailk TAT -=: Benefiting the Humane Society MAY 19, 2001 START WALKING BETWEEN 8:30 & 10:30 A.M. HUMANE SOCIETY OF HURON VALLEY 3100 Cherry Hill Rd., Ann Arbor ENJOY FUN, FOOD AND REFRESHMENTS *Walk yous dog along 6 miles of county roads to raise donations for HSttV *Enjoy Canise Agility Demonstrations by the Ann Arbor Dog Training Club & Country Kennel Pet Care Center and other fun events beginning at 11:00 alm.- Pet micro-chipping & Pet grooming available Sponsored by KeyBank Pet Supplies OW'0"Plus" U Ocri' t