By Tracy Sandler
Daily Sports Writer
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FILE PHOTO/Daily Michigan senior Linnea Mendoza made the All-Husky tournament team for her performance last weekend in Seattle. |
At the Washington Husky Tournament, the Wolverines posted a 1-2 record, losing to Idaho on Friday night and No. 19 Washington on Sunday.
The Vandals beat Michigan in five games, 10-15, 15-10, 9-15, 16-14, 15-12. The teams split the first two games, before the Wolverines executed 20 kills to beat Idaho, 15-9, in the third.
After winning the next game, the Vandals did away with Michigan in the fifth and decisive game.
Next up for the Wolverines was Rhode Island. Michigan bounced back, beating the Rams, 3-0. Juniors Karen Chase and Linsey Ebert, and freshman Joanna Fielder, each contributed with 12 kills.
Also helping the Wolverines on the offensive end was junior Jeanine Szczesniak, who had 10 kills of her own.
The match against Rhode Island was the first at the collegiate level for Fielder.
"I was happy with Joanna Fielder," coach Greg Giovanazzi said. "I knew she was a good player, but I didn't know how she would adjust. She was able to come in and do a really good job."
Perhaps most impressive for the Wolverines was the near upset over No. 19 Washington. They lost to the Huskies, 3-2, after being ahead, 2-1. Michigan led Washington, 13-7, in the match's third game, but the Huskies rebounded to score nine points and win.
Washington won the fifth game and finished first in the tournament. The Wolverines placed second.
Again Szczesniak (16 kills and four service aces), Ebert (13 kills and three blocks) and Fielder (11 kills and four blocks) were the sparkplugs for Michigan.
Despite Michigan's less-than-stellar tournament, Ebert and senior Linnea Mendoza were selected to the All-Husky Tournament team.
"I'm happy with how Linnea set," Giovanazzi said. "Setting is also leading. She seemed to have a lot of confidence, and she gave the team more confidence in crucial situations."
As a pair, Ebert and Mendoza played off of each other to be effective.
"They were dominating," Giovanazzi said. "Linsey was the premiere middle-blocker in the tournament. She blocked and hit at a very high level, and we were able to get her the ball a lot. Linnea setting Linsey is a very precise play, and they're really starting to mesh."
Giovanazzi does not see the team's record in the tournament as any reason for concern.
"We have a few very strong players not in in-season in shape yet," Giovanazzi said.
"Sarah Jackson, Karen Chase and Jeanine Szczesniak, who are three of our most dominating players, just didn't have tournaments up to their levels."
09-03-97
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