Page 6-The Michigan Daily- Sports Monday- April 1, 1991
SOFTBALL
Continued from page 4
Michigan recorded what was per-
haps its best victory of the season at
the Roadrunner Invitational in Las
Cruces.
Against Oklahoma State, then
ranked fifth in the nation, a two-out
single by junior Heather Lyke in the
first inning scored three-time All-
Big Ten senior co-captain Bonnie
Tholl from third base to give the
Wolverines a 1-0 lead. With
Michigan unable to add any more
runs, first-year pitcher Julie
Clarkson took control of the game
by shutting out the Cowboys for
the full seven innings, preserving
the 1-0 upset.
After a three-week, rest, the
Wolverines returned fof the final
phase of its West Coast swing at the
Bud Lite National Invitational in
Sunnyvale, California.
Michigan showed why it led the
Big Ten in defense last season,
turning in strong performances in
the field. in all five of its games and
giving up only five, runs in the
tournament.
Included among the squad's
strong defensive outings was a 1-0
loss to No. 8 Iowa, in which the
team once again proved that it could
play with any of the nation's top
teams.
In compiling a 3-2 record and a
third-place overall finish, Michigan
defeated Nebraska, No. 18 New
Mexico and No. 11 San Jose while
suffering its other loss to Missouri.
Mal's still Blue at heart
Washington retains 'M'emories on pro circuit
by Becky Weiss
Daily Sports Writer
AUBURN HILLS - "Go Blue!" a voice shouted
from somewhere in the crowd, as former Michigan star
Malivai Washington took the court to play an exhibi-
tion doubles match at the Palace last Tuesday.
Though only at Michigan for a year and a half before
turning pro midway through his sophomore year,
Washington said he heard the same chant as far away as
New Haven, where he battled Ivan Lendl in the Volvo
tournament last year.
"It's always nice to have that kind of support,"
Washington said. "It's good to know that I still have
fans at Michigan and people remember me."
It's difficult for fans to forget having America's
top-ranked collegiate player at Michigan. By winning
both the National Indoor Tournament and the Volvo
Collegiate Championships, Washington became the
first player in history to win two of the three legs of
the collegiate "triple crown".
However, his seemingly endless list of honors indi-
cated Washington was ready to move on. At the time,
Michigan tennis coach Brian Eisner described him as
"physically and emotionally ready" for a career as a
pro, and fully supported his decision.
"When a player's skills become at a level where he
has surpassed the level of the competition," Eisner
said, "he has to move on to the next step."
Washington said the decision was not as abrupt as it
seemed.
"When you make a career move such as that one, it is
never a sudden decision," said Washington. "I had been
thinking about leaving for some time and finally de-
cided it was the right time."
In an attempt to make to transition to the pros eas-
ier, Washington continued to practice with the team
through much of his sophomore year.
Though the change from top-ranked collegiate
player to unknown professional can be difficult,
Washington quickly shed his anonymity.
Having the name "Malivai" should be enough to
make one memorable; however, .it can also become an
obstacle.
After introducing Lendl at the Volvo International
as the winner of 80 tournaments, the announcer intro@
duced Lendl's opponent, Washington, as a collegiate
tournament winner. Then he mispronounced his first
name.
Little did the announcer know that No. 103
Washington was about to achieve one of the years
biggest upsets. Washington destroyed the top-ranked
Lendl, 6-2,6-3.
Washington considers his victory over Lendl the
highlight of his first year as a pro, which culminated in
Rookie-of-the-Year honors.
He began his second year on the tour with a semifi-
nal finish in the Volvo/Chicago tournament in
February. His 7-6, (8-6), 6-7, (3-7), 6-4 semifinal loss
to John McEnroe saw a match between two players
with completely opposite styles.
McEnroe questioned calls from the outset, trying
to gain control of the match, as Washington waited
calmly for McEnroe to continue play. McEnroe's per-
formance was as erratic as his temper, combining un-
forced errors with stunning winners.
"I did try to take the attack away," Washington*
said. "I tried to take the net away from him."
Tiebreakers determined the first two sets, as
Washington created McEnroe's first serious challenge
of the week. McEnroe finally captured three straight
games in the third to take a 5-3 lead, eventually win-
ning the set, 6-4.
"McEnroe lifted his game up a notch, which fre-
quently happens with top players," said Brian
Gottfried, who currently coaches Washington. "In
crunch time, they can lift their game."
Originally from Swartz Creek, Michigan,
Washington currently works with ATP tour director
Gottfried in Pante Vedra Beach, Fla.
"He's been able to do a few different things and use
different styles depending on what needs to be played,"
Gottfried said of his recent successes. "He just needs to
recognize when a particular style is not working."
Washington will travel to Orlando next for the
Prudential-Bache. Tennis Classic. When he steps out on
the court, he'll no doubt be listening for that Michigan
fan somewhere in the crowd.
1
Former Michigan tennis player Malivai Washington takes a swing at a
recent exhibition match held at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
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REGISTRAR'S BULLETIN BOARD
IT'S TIME!
EARLY REGISTRATION FOR SPRING, SUMMER, SPRING-SUMMER,
AND FALL TERMS IS HERE:
Registration Schedule
Associated Press
ST. PAUL, Minn. - It was
hockey at its best, a game even the
losing coach could appreciate.
Olympics? Stanley Cup finals?
Canada Cup? No.
It was the NCAA Division I
championship game between
Northern Michigan and Boston
University. It began Saturday at
8:10 p.m. EST Saturday and didn't
end until 12:12 a.m. Sunday, after 81
minutes, 57 seconds, of action.
Darryl Plandowski's third goal
of the game, 1:57 into the third
overtime gave Northern Michigan
(38-5-4) an 8-7 victory in the sec-
ond-longest title game ever.
"It would have been terrific to
win it and be called national cham-
pions, but we had a nice ride,"
Boston University coach Jack Parker
said. "It wasn't just a hockey game.
We created something different
tonight."
Boston (28-11-2), seeking its
fourth title and first since 1978,
dominated the opening period and
took a 3-0 lead.
"If they had gotten to 4-0, we
would have been in trouble," said
Northern coach Rick Comley,
whose Wildcats won their first ti-
tle by finishing the season 24-0-2
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SW Wttcamin nnntt... . . . .-
April 4-5
9:00 - 11:45 a.m.
12:30 - 4:15 p.m.
Registration for Nursing students
and Graduate!/Professional students
(except Business Administration)
since a6-4 loss, Dec. 21.
"I was close to panic. But I did
believe that if we got the next goal,
that we would be right back in it."
Northern got the next goal. And
the next. And the next four after
that. They scored six straight, five
in the second period and three
straight by Scott Beattie, the na-
V
April 8-22 (except weekends)
Registration by appointment begins April 8 and ends April 22 (except weekends).
Hours 8:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. The exact appointment time and registration-
location will be printed on the Student Verification Form. Studenis will he :asked
to register according to the following priority group sequence.
Group I
Group II
Group III
Group IV
Group V
Group VI
Group VII
100 + credits
85 - 99 credits
70 - 84 credits
55 - 69 credits
40 - 54 credits
25 - 39 credits
0 - 24 credits
Group I will rcgister first
followed by the remaining
groups. Registration times
are assigned randomly
within each group.
tion's leading scorer, to go up 6-3
early in the third.
Plandowski's second goal, with
11:36 left in regulation, gave
Northern a seemingly comfortable
7-4 lead. Then, Tony Amonte scored
at 12:24 of the third and assisted on
Shawn McEachern's goal 2:35 later:
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Locations
North Campus:
Central Campus:
153 Chrysler Center for all students enrolled in
Architecture and Urban Planning, Art,
Engineering, Music (including Rackham students
enrolled in these units)
Reom 17 Angell Hall for everyone else
Remember, You Must Have These Materials In Order To Register:
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