Forget everything you have seen and read about the Michigan volleyball team. Think of the past four weeks as though they never happened, because starting this weekend, the games really count for something.
After a 7-4 preseason dress rehearsal, the Wolverines begin their conference season this weekend, with matches at Minnesota (10-1) tonight and at Iowa (7-4) tomorrow night.
Traditionally, this is the point of the season where the Wolverines have the most trouble. Since 1982, the Wolverines are 3-12 in their Big Ten openers, with their last conference-opening victory in 1995.
"One of our goals this year was to start out strong in-conference, because we have started out slow during the past few years," Michigan coach Greg Giovanazzi said. "We have barely missed the tournament the past few years, a lot of it due to slow starts in Big Ten play."
 |
| FILE PHOTO Jeanine Szczesniak and Sarah Jackson open the Big Ten season in Minnesota and Iowa this weekend. Today, the Wolverines take on the 10-1 Gophers. |
"(The Gophers) have a lot of personnel returning from last year," Giovanazzi said. "Their building is a tough place to play, but we have a lot of confidence from winning there last year."
Minnesota also presents a different look for the Wolverines. The Gophers employ an attack in which two players pass during an offensive set, as opposed to the regular attack, in which one player sets up another for a kill.
After the Minneapolis trip, the Wolverines travel a few hours south to Iowa City to face the Hawkeyes. While Iowa was rated only ninth in the preseason Big Ten coaches poll, the Wolverines are very wary of the Hawkeyes and their star outside hitter, Jennifer Bell, the only senior on the team.
"They moved (Bell) up front, trying to get her more involved this year," Giovanazzi said. "We are looking to direct many of our sets toward her."
During the preseason, Giovanazzi expressed concern about the confidence level of the Wolverines and was worried that their insecurity might carry into the conference schedule.
Those worries are of no relevance now, however, thanks to a sweep of Duke and North Carolina last weekend.
"Last weekend was a perfect antidote," Giovanazzi said. "We reversed what we did the first weekend of the season, and now our spirits are high and we are looking forward to the start of the Big Ten season."
Unfortunately for the Wolverines, junior outside hitter Karen Chase will not be starting her Big Ten season this weekend, due to a disc problem in her back. Chase was injured during the All-Sport Challenge three weeks ago.
Chase "started practicing again Tuesday, but only lightly," Giovanazzi said. "We are keeping her home this weekend, but we hope to have on the bench for our home matches next week."
Several Wolverines have shown the ability to pick up Chase's slack, led by senior middle blocker Sarah Jackson, who is assured of having her own cheering section against the Gophers. The middle blocker is a native of Alexandria, Minn.
09-26-97
| Previous Article | Next Article |
should be sent to: daily.letters@umich.edu | should be sent to: online.daily@umich.edu |