4B — April 3, 2017 SportsMonday The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com Wolverines finally get to cut down net DETROIT — The Michigan women’s basketball team has been in existence for 44 seasons. Prior to Saturday, the Wolverines — despite several NCAA Tournament and Women’s National Invitation Tournament appearances — did not have a banner in Crisler Center to show for those 44 years. Nor had they ever been able to cut down the net at an arena before. That all changed with Michigan’s 89-79, triple-overtime victory in the WNIT championship game against Georgia Tech. Starting next season, the Wolverines can look up in Crisler Center and see a banner of their very own, a tangible reward for over four decades of hard work. “I think we had a refuse to lose mentality,” said Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico. “They refused to go away and it was just awesome to watch.” Though the Michigan players received trophies and exchanged hugs and autographs immediately after the game, the most exciting event for the Wolverines was cutting down the net at Calihan Hall. The Wolverines took turns in the first-ever net-cutting ceremony. First up with the scissors was sophomore center Hallie Thome, whose heroics played a huge role in putting Michigan in the WNIT championship game. Coming into Saturday’s game, Thome had netted at least 20 points in three of Michigan’s five WNIT games. Despite missing her first three shots, Thome once again proved indispensable for the Wolverines. She finished the game with 25 points, including eight in the third quarter, which allowed Michigan to take a 43-42 lead into the fourth frame. “I’m really proud of everyone, definitely going into all the overtimes and not giving up, and still giving the same amount of effort each time,” Thome said. “Coach Arico had talked about it, we ran so much during preseason and just how we can outrun them and keep pushing. If it’s a battle on the run, we’ll be able to make it, so I think it definitely helped in our favor at the end of the game.” Yet if junior guard Katelynn Flaherty wasn’t mobbed by fans and reporters, perhaps she would have gotten first dibs at trimming the net. Flaherty was named the WNIT’s Most Valuable Player after scoring 21.3 points per game in the tournament and netting 27 against the Yellow Jackets. While Flaherty, like Thome, struggled early in the game, she came through when it mattered most for Michigan. As the Wolverines trailed Georgia Tech 67-61 with 1:06 remaining in regulation, Flaherty singlehandedly erased Michigan’s deficit with two 3-pointers to force overtime. She netted five more points in the overtime periods in order to ensure that she would have her turn with a pair of scissors. “This is great,” Flaherty said. “It’s awesome to be able to win a championship and put your school on the map. This is the result of all our hard work all year whether we made the NCAA Tournament or not. It’s a great moment.” Junior forward Jillian Dunston took her turn with the scissors between Thome and Flaherty. Although Dunston’s point totals in the WNIT were dwarfed by Thome’s and Flaherty’s, she led the Wolverines in rebounds through the first five games of the tournament with 41. Dunston played no small part in Michigan’s championship victory either. During the second overtime period, she pulled down four boards and made both of her free throws, which propelled the Wolverines into the decisive third extra frame. “I told myself my free-throw percentage this year was subpar,” Dunston said. “So I was like, ‘This is the last game. You have to go 2-for- 2.’ So I was locked and loaded at the line. Luckily they went in.” But the most emotional player after Michigan’s win may have been senior guard Siera Thompson, who is the Wolverines’ all-time leader in minutes played. She lived up to her no-rest reputation Saturday, playing all 55 minutes and tallying 15 points, eight assists and four rebounds in the process. It was fitting, then, that she was the one dribbling the ball in the waning seconds of the game before tossing it in the air in celebration. “It was surreal,” Thompson said. “You dream about that when you’re a kid — winning a championship in college, it’s great. It’s a surreal feeling I’m so happy. I’m happy for myself and my teammates and my coaches.” Though Michigan is understandably proud of its WNIT championship, the Wolverines attention will now turn to the NCAA Tournament. Michigan made earning a bid in the tournament a top goal at the beginning of the season and was stunned when it found itself outside the 64-team field. Yet whatever happens from now on, everyone who walks into Crisler Center will see a new team represented in the rafters. And the Wolverines will always be able to say that they got to trim the net after a championship win. NATHANIEL CLARK Daily Sports Writer AMELIA CACCHIONE/Daily Sophomore center Hallie Thome was the first to cut down the nets after Michigan won the WNIT on Saturday. Flaherty named MVP of WNIT DETROIT — With 1:09 left on the clock in the second quarter of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament championship game, junior guard Katelynn Flaherty laid on the baseline in the defensive zone wrestling to get Georgia Tech’s leading scorer, Zaire O’Neil, off of her. Then O’Neil elbowed her in the face. Flaherty’s jaw dropped in shock and she looked over at Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico, who watched furiously from the sidelines. Flaherty pulled herself up and jogged down the court shaking her head to catch up with the play. As she cut across the top of the arc, O’Neil guarded her closely. Flaherty had enough. She lowered her shoulder and knocked into O’Neil, who let herself fall and skid back several feet. Flaherty earned her second foul, but didn’t look remorseful. She was having a tough time. The normally 20-point scorer had just seven points, and missed every field goal attempt in the first quarter. By the second quarter, the Yellow Jackets’ pep band was chanting “airball” every time Flaherty was in a scoring position, after two of her first shots fell short of the net. “I was just frustrated at that point,” Flaherty said. “My shots really weren’t falling and then I had a stupid foul on the way back. After that my team talked to me and I kind of just settled down and that helped me get back into the flow of the game.” Still, Flaherty found a different way to contribute for the Wolverines in her work from the free-throw line. She drew as many fouls as she could, and her strategy started working. She shot 7-for-9 from the charity stripe, earning more attempts than anyone on either team. She avoided attempting 3-point tries in favor of driving down low and drawing fouls, and attempted just two field goals in the entire third quarter. But with 5:08 left on the clock in the fourth quarter, the Wolverines trailed by four points and it was time to shoot again. Flaherty aimed from the arc and missed her first attempt, but after a hard-fought rebound by senior guard Danielle Williams, Flaherty was blessed with a second shot from the same location. This time it went in. Flaherty’s confidence was back, and when Michigan was back in offensive range 30 seconds later, she shot from beyond the arc and scored again. Despite her earlier shooting difficulties, Flaherty was tied with sophomore forward Hallie Thome for a team-high 19 points. Despite Flaherty’s success, the Wolverines still trailed by one. Georgia Tech seemed an unstoppable force in the paint, while Michigan struggled to finish its shots. The deficit grew to five with just over a minute left, and a win looked improbable. But Flaherty still had a few tricks up her sleeve. With 1:06 on the clock, she launched a shot from several feet outside the arc, and it sunk through the netting. Just three points differentiated the Wolverines and the Yellow Jackets. Then, with 10 seconds left, Flaherty did it again. “How crazy of Kate,” said sophomore guard Nicole Munger. “That one three was NBA range, amazing shot, hand in her face. And then it was just like, ‘Wow, we’re alive.’ She kept us afloat. She kept us alive. And all we kept saying was just get to overtime, just get to overtime.” Georgia Tech was not able to capitalize on its last-second free throws that could have given the Yellow Jackets a victory, and Flaherty found herself playing another five minutes. “It was a big relief,” said senior guard Siera Thompson. “(Flaherty) is a great player. She loves taking big shots and we want her to take all the big shots. She delivers every time. We have all the faith in Katelynn Flaherty, and I’m so happy she hit those shots tonight.” But in overtime, Flaherty missed her first 3-point attempt. Then she missed a layup, and then another. Yet sophomore forward Hallie Thome had picked up a layup, and senior Danielle Williams made a free throw, tying the single 3-pointer made by the Yellow Jackets. Flaherty had done her job and put her team in a position to take the game over. The Wolverines went into double overtime, where Flaherty earned her last 2 points, helping to keep the score tied and send Michigan into its third overtime. The tired Wolverines outlasted Georgia Tech, scoring 13 points in the final overtime to finally take home the WNIT championship. Without Flaherty, Michigan could not have earned it’s first ever banner — so it was no surprise when she was named tournament MVP. “It’s indescribable,” Flaherty said. “I can’t put it into words right now. … We just really wanted to be successful this season. We faced a lot of adversity and had so many setbacks, so it’s incredible to end the season on a win.” AMELIA CACCHIONE/Daily Junior guard Katelynn Flaherty led the Wolverines to a title with a game-high 27 points against the Yellow Jackets. MAGGIE KOLCON Daily Sports Writer ICE HOCKEY WOMEN’S TENNIS Wolverines wrap up season with banquet The Michigan hockey team had its final official meeting of the 2016-17 season at the Junge Family Center on Sunday. The Wolverines were honored with the program’s annual banquet at the Dekers Club. The banquet was an awards ceremony and a time to honor the roster’s six seniors — Evan Allen, Max Shuart, Alex Kile, Nolan De Jong, Kevin Lohan and Zach Nagelvoort — and reflect on the previous season. Michigan’s season ended in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament with a 13-19-3 overall record, and most speakers focused on the future of the program rather than reflecting on the past. Michigan coach Red Berenson did not fail to acknowledge the team’s record, though, highlighting the improvement that would be necessary next season. Berenson did not comment on whether or not he would be returning as the head coach for the 2017-18 season. He announced that a meeting with Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel would take place later this week to assess the coaching situation and determine the plan for next year. The honors were awarded as follows: Carl Isaacson Memorial Award for Academic Athlete of the Year — junior defenseman Sam Piazza Piazza, a mechanical engineering major at the University, received academic All-Big Ten honors for the second season in a row. Piazza received the award for his performances on the ice and in the classroom. Dekers Club Award for Most Colorful Rookie of the Year — freshman forward Will Lockwood The Most Colorful Rookie of the Year award goes to the freshman on the team who has proven to have a prominent impact on the ice. Lockwood was chosen as the recipient out of the 11 freshmen on the roster. Alton D. Simmons Award for Most Improved Player — senior forward Evan Allen Allen received most improved honors after recording six goals and six assists in 28 games he played in this season. His 12 points tripled his output from last season, when he ended with four points in 24 games. Howard Colby Award for Sportsman of the Year — junior defenseman Sam Piazza Piazza was also named to the Big Ten Sportsmanship team. Piazza received a Big Ten Honorable Mention this season while also serving as an assistant captain in senior defenseman Kevin Lohan’s absence. Vic Heyliger Award for Most Outstanding Defenseman of the Year — sophomore Joe Cecconi Cecconi served on Team USA’s preliminary roster for the World Junior Champion team and won a gold medal in the championship. He also scored his first career goal against Wisconsin and recorded seven assists this season. Doc Losh Trophy for Scoring Leader of the Year — freshman forward Jake Slaker The freshman ended the season with seven goals and 14 assists over the course of 35 games to lead the team with 21 points. Hal Downes Trophy for Most Valuable Player — freshman forward Will Lockwood Lockwood tallied eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points across 30 games. Joseph E Barss Award for the True Team Player – senior goaltender Zach Nagelvoort Chosen for his dedication to his team, Nagelvoort was awarded the True Team Player award. LANEY BYLER Daily Sports Editor Michigan remains undefeated in B1G The wheels on the No. 9 Michigan women’s tennis team just keep on rolling. The Wolverines defeated Wisconsin (0-7 Big Ten, 4-12 overall) on Friday and Minnesota (2-4, 10-9) on Sunday. With the wins, the Wolverines remain perfect in Big Ten play, and now have six consecutive wins (5-0, 13-3). The Golden Gophers saw a glimpse of hope after winning the doubles point in dramatic, tie-break fashion. But the Wolverines quickly thrashed any confidence that Minnesota may have had, winning every singles match to take the 6-1 victory. After beating Wisconsin on Friday, 4-0, Michigan impressively dropped only one match on the weekend. “We work on the doubles, and we take pride in our doubles,” said Michigan coach Ronni Bernstein. “But with the format, it’s tough to win every doubles point.” Singles play has been a strength for Michigan this year. With the wins this weekend it has improved to 20-1 in conference action. The team looks strong from top to bottom led by sophomore Brienne Minor in the No. 1 spot for the weekend. Minor appeared confident on the court and bounced back after losing the second set, to take the win 6-0, 3-6, 6-3. “I think we are solid all the way down,” Bernstein said. “We have a shot one through six, and I don’t know if we’ve had that all the time in years past, so I feel like we have a really solid singles lineup.” Junior Alex Najarian proved her coach’s point, providing stability at the No. 3 spot. Najarian’s net play was flawless, and she used it to capitalize on two break-point opportunities, allowing her to take the first set, 6-3. After trading leads in the second set, Najarian broke serve to ignite a two-game swing, taking a 6-5 lead by winning a crucial deuce point. Najarian secured the victory for Michigan by winning her match in a tie break 6-3, 7-6(2). Najarian was conscious about the different weapons she used on the court in Sunday’s matchup, and although her serve was not up to her own standards, she managed to get the job done. “Usually (it’s) my serve, but today it wasn’t very on so then I rely somewhat on my backhand and my volleys, just not my forehand,” Najarian said with a chuckle. The Wolverines continue to improve as their season nears the heart of conference play. Taking one matchup at a time seems to be working, as they continue to ride their unbeaten streak. Yet Michigan will be on the road for three straight away matches, which could be a test of the strength of this talented team. Bernstein, though, doesn’t seem overly concerned. “We have a tough weekend coming up with three on the road, but I feel like we have played a really tough schedule,” Bernstein said. “The goal is obviously to get better and peak in May, so I think we are headed in the right direction for sure.” ALAN SELZER For the Daily “We work on the doubles, we take pride in our doubles.”