2B - The Michigan Daily - SPORTSMonday - Monday, November 20, 1995 Brownlee, O'Donnell shine in last home game Women head to Iowa for NCAAs I . st By Doug Stevens Daily Sports Writer Cliff Keen Arena will not be the same in the future. - Michigan fans will no longer have the opportunity to watch the performances of two of the finest players in school his- tory. Saturday's match with Penn State was the last home contest in the illustri- ous careers of co-captains Suzy O'Donnell and Shannon Brownlee. But rather than the moment being an upsetting one for the duo, it turned into one of joy as both O'Donnell and Brownlee played key roles in helping the Wolverines (9- 9 Big Ten, , 15-13 overall)pull offone of the biggest vic- tories in team his- tory.O'Donnell and Brownlee both raised their games a notch as Michigan: upset No. 8 Penn State, 15-12,10-15, 13-15, 15-5, 15-13. Brownlee The match was closely contested throughout as the Wolverines used the emotion of Senior Recognition Night, in addition to great defensive play, to compete with a Lady Lion (13-5, 25-6) squad which had de- feated them, 15-4, 15-5, 15-2, earlier in the season. Michigan, behind the determined leadership of its captains, overcame a heartbreaking loss in the third game and dominated the fourth game of the match. The fifth game, in which there is rally scoring, was played under extreme pressure as the seniors knew a win would both enable them to go out in style and would im- prove the team's chances of gaining an NCAA Tourna- ment bid. "It was just such a great way to end here," Brownlee said. "It would have been such a disap- pointment if we would have lost the O'Donnell fifth game." Despite the fact that Michigan was riding a four-match losing streak and had never defeated a team ranked as highly as Penn State, it seemed as if O'Donnell and Brownlee were sim- ply not going to let the Wolverines lose. O'Donnell, in particular, seemed to play her best match of the season as she was a force on both the offensive and defensive ends. She finished with 21 kills on only 43 attempts for an impres- sive .442 hitting efficiency against a Penn State team that is first in the Big Ten in blocking. In addition, she seemed to spike the ball with a greater pace than she has shown throughout the season. "They're great blockers and we had to figure out a way to get around them," O'Donnell said. On the defensive end, O'Donnell played a great match. She was apresence on many of the Lady Lion kill attempts and finished with five block assists. She was a main reason that Michigan outblocked Penn State, 20-16. "I played the same I play every match," O'Donnell said. "It helped a lot that this was our last home match. It feels great because we've been trying to beat them since our freshman season." Brownlee turned in yet another fine performance against the Lady Lions. In addition to her tangible contribution of25 kills, Brownlee provided theemo- tional leadership for Michigan as she tried to keep the team relaxed on the court despite the tense atmosphere of the fifth game. While Brownlee's performance was strong Saturday, it certainly was not surprising. She currently leads the Wolverines in kills, attempts and digs and is tied with O'Donnell in solo blocks. The development of Brownlee is one of the prime reasons for the team's improvement from 4-16 in the Big Ten last season to its current con- ference mark of 9-9. "This year has been the best by far," Brownlee said. "We've won a lot of matches. There is something special about your last year." O'Donnell and Brownlee both are peaking at the right time. The win over Penn State has put Michigan in prime position to earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament. With wins on the road against Northwestern and Purdue next weekend, the Wolverines will be virtu- ally assured a post-season appearance for the second time in 23 years. "They're playing the best ball of the season in their senior year," coach Greg Giovanazzi said. Although this is Brownlee's and O'Donnell's final campaign with the Wolverines, they are confident that they are leaving the program in good hands. "Every year, (Giovanazzi) is bring- ing in better and better players," O'Donnell said. "We have three fresh- men now that are going to be great. They're getting used to winning." Jeanine Szczesniak and Jane Stevens helped Michigan to upset the eighth-ranked Nittany Lions Saturday.- SuNo.8 Penn tate By Monica Polakov Daily Sports Writer Michigan has never done this before. In its game with No. 8 Penn State, the Michigan volleyball team accom- plished two things: it beat the Lady Lions and a No. 8 team, both for the first time ever. Last year, the Wolverines finished ninth in the Big Ten. This year, the very improvedMichigan team is 15-13 over- all, 9-9 in the conference and has a good chance to go to NCAAs, thanks to this weekend's win. The Wolverines came ready to play against two top-10 teams. Michigan lost its first match against No. 6 Ohio State (3-15, 8-15, 9-15). In its next match, Michigan pulled a huge upset. The unranked Wolverines beat Penn State. Because it was their last home match this season, the Wolverines were ex- tremely pumped. "The whole team is a lot more intense at our last home game," senior co-cap- tain Suzy O'Donnell said. In addition, the Wolverines were hungry for a win after losing their last four matches. "We were sick of losing." O'Donnell said. Michigan beat Penn State in the first game, 15-12. The Lions came back to beat the Wolverines in a close second game, 15- 10, with incredible play from middle hitter Terri Zemaitis. The third game was long and gruel- ing with both teams playing intense volleyball. O'Donnell dominated for the Wolverines, finishing the night with 21 kills. All the Wolverines put in a lot of effort, however. Senior co-captain Sh- annon Brownlee tallied 25 kills, middle blocker Sarah Jackson had five blocks, and Linnea Mendoza set 53 aces. Michigan led for most of the third game, but the Lady Lions came back to win, 15-13. But the Wolverines never gave up. They went into the fourth game look- ing to grab the last two and the vic- tory. "We focus more this year on our own team," coach Greg Giovannazi said. The fourth was a short and sweet game for Michigan which ended, 15-5, in Michigan's favor. It all came down to the fifth game, which was as tough as expected. Penn State had previously never lost to Michigan. "We've been trying to beat (Penn State), since my freshman year," O'Donnell said. Penn State was the favored team. But it was Michigan's last home match, not to mention the night of the senior salute. The Wolverines had a lot of moti- vation to win. There were the two seniors to think about, not to mention that the post season may ride on this game. They wanted a win, really badly. "Always on the last games here, we win," Brownlee said. "Everyone steps up a lot." The match reflected the attitudes of the teams. It was a neck-in-neck battle. Michigan got a point, Penn State got a point. Finally, Michigan managed an 8-5 lead against the Lady Lions. But the match wasn't over yet. Penn State came back to tie Michigan, 11-11. At 14-13, Michigan won an exciting point that ended their last home match as victors. Saturday's game was the second time in three years that the Wolverines beat a ranked team. With a win over No. 21 Illinois ear- lier this season, chances for post-sea- son play now look good for the Wolver- ines. To seal the NCAA's invitation, the Wolverines must win their upcoming road games against Northwestern and Purdue, two teams they have already beaten this season. By Julie Keating Daily Sports WriterrV It's off to Iowa for the women's cross- country team. This will be the Wolver- ines' seventh-straight trip to the NCA As. The team hopes to capitalize on its im- pressive record after finishing second last year. The Wolverines lost the district title for the first time since 1991, but they came back to win the NCAA District IV Cham-' pionship. Michigan upset Wisconsin to capture the title last weekend at Purdue. The Wolverines won by a five-poin spread. Led by senior Pauline Arnill, the- team goes into today's meet ranked sev- enth in the nation. Arnill returned in top form after missing the Big Ten Champi- onships with a lower-back injury. She captured second (17:37) in theDistrict meet behind Wisconsin's Big Ten Cham-- pion Kathy Butler (17:20). Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Katie McGregor, placed third (17:47) behind teammate Arnill. She also finished in the top 10 at the Big Ten Champion-- ships. Senior co-captains Kelley Chard and Courtney Babcock also contributed with top-20 performances last weekend. Babcock sat out most of the season. with an injury, but she came back well at Big Tens. She is a former cross-country All-American and a two-time All-Big, Ten selection, despite being hamperedby injuries throughout her career. She is ex- pected to run an excellent race. Kelly Chard recorded a strong top-to. finish at Big Tens. She also turned in a top-20 finish at Districts with atime pf 18:23. Senior Katy Hollbacher and junjor Jennifer Barber will be running for, Michigan as well. The pair have pro- duced for the Wolverines all season, The team is looking to repeat, if not improve upon its all-time best perfor- mance at nationals. Last year, the Wol- verines set a record score of 108 and, returned home with three All-Americans. Host Illinois State will pose a threat, along with No. 1 Providence and N9r Brigham Young. The 5,000-meter event will start kt noon, following a short memorial service for members of the 1985 Iowa squa, whose members perished in aplane crash while returning home from NCAAs. 'M' By $usan Da Daily Sports Wi Arriving h Michigan wi as if all ther Phoenix was True, the their attempt national ch Michigan sti than it leftw chapter in its The Michi 5-7) compet giate Soccer pionship To vancing to th Michigan' time tournam be a decidin against New "They wer coach Steve membered w the tourname pressed. The We wanted t men's soccer garners historic nn look (against New Mexico), and we With one game remaining ii riter really came in with a psychological robin play, there was no clear w ome to the gray skies of move." Michigan's bracket. thout a trophy, it may seem The Wolverines soundly beat New "At that point, our fate was st men's soccer team got in Mexico, 3-0, with two goals coming own hands," Burns said. "If a tan. from senior Rick Weinberg and one won (against Middle Tenness Wolverines fell short in from senior Adam Carriere. Weinberg would have been in the quarterf t to bring home their first playedinspiteofanaggingbackinjury. sure." ampionship. However, "Rick was not 100 percent, but (this Against the University of' ll returned with a lot more tournament)washislastdance,hisswan sin-LaCrosse, the Wolverine with, most notably a long song as a senior, and he didn't want to early 3-1 lead slip, and the gam history. miss it," Burns said. in a 3-3 tie. ganmen's soccer team(15- The second match of the day pitted Weinberg scored two, inclu ed in the National Colle- Michigan against Middle Tennessee off a diving header, and sop Association's Club Chain- State. The Wolverines were unable to Eric Frickel added a goal to giv urnament in Phoenix, ad- carry the momentum from the previous gan a comfortable 3-1 lead. Bur he semifinals. win into the match, tying Middle Ten- a tactical change to preserve f s veteran status as a third- nessee, 1-1. changing from a 5-3-2 formatii ment participant proved to Michigan's goal came on a free kick 4-4-2. g factor in its first game in Middle Tennessee's penalty box. "We started relaxing andit w Mexico State. Senior Ian Kurth was called up from the bad," Burns said. "We got sli re a good team," Michigan sweeper position to take the kick. marking defensively even tho Burns said. "But we re- "Middle Tennessee had some older, had one more (player) in the b hen it was our first year in experienced players, but they were not as eryone forgot their defensive r nt and we were really im- athletic as us," Burns said. "We just bilities." re are a lot of distractions. couldn't put it away, and they were able to Despite a two-goal second ha o come in with a full team get the ball to their experienced players." the Wolverines were able finish at national club championships n round- vinner in ill in our we had see), we inals for Wiscon- s let an e ended ding one phomore e Michi- ns made he lead, on to the as really oppy on ough we ack. Ev- esponsi- lfsurge, to stop LaCrosse's momentum and hold on for the tie. "We knew if we tied, we advanced to the quarterfinals," Burns said. "We just ran out the clock with a little possession game in the corner." In what Burns called the "most defin- ing moment for the Michigan soccer club," the Wolverines defeated South- west Texas State, 2-1, in an overtime thriller. Late in the second half, while trailing, 1-0, the Wolverines changed their tactics to a "goal down look," sending long balls up top where they had a numbers advan- tage. Freshman Blake Novotny took on a defender and fired the tying goal with 30 ticks left in regulation. The second oftwo sudden death over- time periods was a standstill, with both teams having chances to take the win. "With three minutes left in the sec- ond overtime, I was planning who my five shooters would be and the order (for a penalty kick shoot-out)," Burns said. "Blake rose like a phoenix from the ashes, took the ball on the left side, and scored basically the same goal as the one which tied (the game). "It is a great win that gives a positive push to the program that will have some kind of lasting effect. It is the best win in (our) history, and it couldn't have come at a better time." Michigan faced defending national champion Weber State in the semifinal match. The Wolverines were hoping to play a back-and-forth game with the Wildcats. "We felt we had a deeper bench, and it being the fifth game for both teams, we wanted to push the pace because we felt our legs could last longer," Burns said. Despite a 0-0 halftime tie, Weber State dominated the second half. Burns looked to give the Wolverines some fresh legs, but Weber State con- trolled the game for about eight min- utes without an opportunity for Michi- gan to substitute, sealing a 2-0 win. Michigan finished its run, losing to the eventual tournament champions. That, however, didn't soften the blow. "It is disappointing that we didn't have the legs," Kurth said. "If we could've snuck a goal in, we definitely could have beaten them. We just fan out of juice. They were definitely beatable." Junior Mike Milman agreed. "We didn't give up until the final whistle, but everyone was so exhausted and we pretty much realized it would be hard to score two goals in five min- utes." Michigan's hard work did not go unnoticed, as several Wolverines re- ceived tournament honors. Weinberg was named to the all-tournament first team. Kurth, Novotny and senior Andy Cosenza received second team hon- ors. Burns emphasized that Michigan's success was not tangent upon winning the championship. "I did not want to let the product we were aiming for to define us, the prod- uct being our sights on the champion- ship game. I wanted to make sure the process defined us, and everything that got us to the end product." -"OL)T5FAdrfD I L PWEEr INrvP J4 C,.6)0Cx-U G C.- 16a.A~et( -~a.t.~t CA E ~~1 a.' - A i~ - i e.) . - 11 Illr £ Os hm y I.