12- The Michigan Daily - Friday, December 1, 1995 Wolverines look to contain ackson, Gamecocks at Crisler By Jim Rose Daily Sports Writer After two road wins during the holi- day weekend without starters Pollyanna Johns and Jennifer Brzezinski, the Michigan women's basketball team was giving thanks for its depth. The Wolverines (2-0) hope to have the two starters back fortonight's home- opener, when they tip off against a team lacking ... depth. South Carolina invades Crisler Arena at 7:30 tonight, led by two- time All-Southeastern Conference selection Shannon Jackson. The se- nior guard, whose 23.9 points per game were 10th-best in the nation last year, has led the Gamecocks to a 3-1 start this season. Michigan coach Trish Roberts con- ceded that Johnson poses a serious prob- lem for the Wolverines on the perim- eter. "I'm not sure who's going to cover her yet," Roberts said. "That's a tough matchup for us. "Shannon Johnson is an excellent player. Nobody's been able to stop her yet this year. But we're not going to just let her score. She's going to have to earn her points." Johnson is averaging nearly 29 points per game, while shooting 50 percent from the floor. Last year, however, South Carolina finished a dismal 1-11 in the SEC, de- spite Johnson's best efforts - a fact that underscores the importance of depth. "I don't think one player can win a game by herself," Roberts said. The return of Johns and Brzezinski should help Michigan's inside game. The duo missed the first two games with minor injuries-Johns was nurs- ing a slightly sprained ankle, while Brzezinski suffered a strained back. Roberts said the post players are ex- pected to play, but the coach is unsure of what type of production to expect. "I think they'll play, but I'm not sure if they'll be 100 percent," she said. "If they are able to play, we'll match up very well with (the Game- cocks). Right now, we still match up well with them outside, with the ex- ception of Johnson." The Wolverines were aided by the strong performances of their other for- wards in the first two games. Junior Silver Shellman and sophomore Tif- fany Willard combined for 53 points and 41 rebounds in the first two con- tests. Amy Johnson shined against Marquette as well, scoring 25 points to lead Michigan. South Carolina returns three starters from last year's team. Shannon Johnson is joined by senior center Cindy Kelly, who averaged over 10 points a game in herj unior campaign, and senior Natalie Funderburke, who boasts experience at guard. According to Roberts, the Wolver- ines will concern themselves primarily with limiting Shannon Johnson's sup- porting cast. "The key will be whether we can keep the other players from hurting us," Roberts said. The Gamecocks have been victori- ous in the only two previous meetings between the two teams, most recently last season in Columbia, S.C. Shannon Johnson (who else?) had 34 points, off- setting 28 from Amy Johnson. South Carolina won in an 82-78 nail-biter. The Wolverines hope to extract a bit of revenge on the Gamecocks tonight. "I think it'll be a good game, based on last year," said Roberts. Michigan excited as NIVC gets underway Spikers recover from NCAA slight; to open against Butler By Chris Murphy Daily Sports Writer In traveling to Kansas City this weekend, the Michigan women's vol- leyball team will be walking into some unfamiliar territory. In stark contrast to the confines of Cliff Keen Arena or the familiar sur- roundings of Big Ten gyms, this weekend's National Intercollegiate Volleyball Championships represent a step onto another level for the Wol- verines. After all, this weekend's tourna- ment is Michigan's first postseason appearance in 14 years and only the second in the team's 23-year history. Originally, the tournament invita- tion wasn't very exciting for a Wol- verine team that went 11-9 in the Big Ten, missing the NCAA Tournament by only one or two games. However, throughout this week, Michigan began to realize its place in the school volleyball record books. "At first we were pretty disap- pointed (about not being selected for NCAAs)," co-captain Shannon Brownlee said. "But then we realized (the NIVC) was pretty big. For Michi- gan, it's huge." Brownlee's sentiment has been ex- pressed by other team members and coach Greg Giovanazzi. While the Wolverines were a step away from landing the first NCAA Tournament berth in school history, they all real- ized the importance of their position this weekend. Michigan goes from just missing the NCAAs to being in position to possibly win the NIVC. The competition in this weekend's set of matches includes teams that the Wolverines have beaten this season in Massachusetts and Wisconsin. Based on this, the players seem upbeat about their chances for a new Michigan record. A tournament vic- tory would be the first in history. "I think we can go on and make the semis and maybe even the finals. "Brownlee said. "We'll have to play well consistently throughout the whole weekend." In addition to the fact that the Wol- verines will be unaccustomed to postseason play, Michigan will be faced with some unfamiliar oppo- nents. This morning, the Wolverines face Butler, and then Massachusetts fol- lows this afternoon. Michigan then faces San Diego and Arkansas Satur- day. So besides the Minufemen, the Wol- verines will face three opponents whom they haven't played in the re- cent past. And while Giovanazzi can view film of Butler, he will have to somehow scout Arkansas and San Diego while he is there. "We don't know anything about Arkansas or the University of San Diego, but we'll have seen them play twice by then, " Giovanazzi said. Michigan defeated Massachusetts back in September. Then, Kristen Ruschiensky led the Wolverines to a tournament victory in the UMass In- vitational. This weekend, Michigan will be without the junior outside hit- ter. Ruschiensky has been out since mid-October with a knee injury. The Michigan women's volleyball team, in action here against Minnesota, opens play today at the National intercollegiate Volleyball Championships against Butler. TONYA BROAD/Daily Silver Shellman's Inside game will be key when the Wolverines battle South Carolina tonight at Crisier Arena. The Wolverines are looking to uti- lize a good portion of their team as they play four matches in two days. If it advances, Michigan will play two more matches Sunday. So Giovanazzi is counting on his bench for help. He expects to rotate players in continually at the middle- blocker position. "I think we're looking at such gru- eling schedule that we're looking to see Linsey Ebert and Karen Chase," Giovanazzi said, referring to his two top reserves. "Four matches on a middle blocker in two days is really tough." In addition, Michigan will try to stay consistent throughout the week- end in its attacking game. This entails a high level of leadership from Brownlee. The senior outside hitter *OTRAVOLTA DELIVERS A HEARTBREAKING PORTRAYAL.' -TIME MAGAZINE "EXTREMELY POWERFUL. SUPERB PERFORMANCES BY TRAVOLTA AND BELAFONTE. PROVOCATIVE AND PROFOUND." -Jeffrey LyonsSNEAK PREVIEWS and ABCGWORLD NEWS NOW "TRAVOLTA PROVES AGAIN HE'S AN ACTOR YOU CAN'T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF." Jeannie Williams, USA TODAY Read Daily Sports for the best in Michigan sports coverage. e s DELTA ZETA %k: MPRO MPTU TONIGHT (FRIDAY) DECEMBER 1ST MEET AT YOST AT11:15 PM BRING $4/COUPLE + $1 EACH FOR SKATES SEE YOU THERE!!! was recently named All-Big Ten and remains the focal point of the Wol- verines' offense. Brownlee is looking for support from fellow outside hitters Shareen Luze and Colleen Miniuk. A consis- tent serving game and offense should be provided by sophomore setter Linnea Mendoza. Consistent performances will be the mainstay for Michigan if it istogofar this weekend. Consistent winning is what got the team this far. The NI VC The Michigan volleyball team will compete in a' postseason tournament for the first time since 1981. The 17-11 Wolverines will appear in the National Intercollegiate Volleyball Championships (NIVC) beginning tonight in Kansas City, Mo. and will be playing out of Pool: Here is their schedulefor this weekend. TONIGHT -POOL D 9 aim. - Michigan vs Butler 4:30 p.m.-- Michigan vs. Massaschusetts TOMORROW-- POOL D, 11:30 a.m. - Michigan vs. San Diego 7 p.m. - Michigan vs: Arkansas SUNDAY - ALL POOLS 10 a.m. - Semifinals 1 p.m. - Championship "FRESH, SMART, FUNNY AND, ULTIMATELY, DEEPLY MOVING..." -Michael Medved, SNEAK PREVIEWS, PBS TV "TRAVOLTA IS ABSOLUTELY ELECTRIC. HE'S TERRIFIC." -Norman Mark, NBC CHICAGO "TRAVOLTA' S... PERFORMANCE ADDS CREDIBILITY To A PROVOCATIVE FAST-PACED MOVIE." -Bruce Williamson, PLAYBOY SECLUDED, WOODED LOCATION! NEWLY-RENOVATED 1 & 2 BEDROOM APTS. WITH HEAT INCLUDED FEATURING: YELLOW CA " Washer/dryer available " Mirror bi-fold closet doors i Aw * Professional fitness center " Indoor racquetball court I a I I ill It, 111"I['llflIi 1 I