Huevos rancheros on 'M' plate

Authentic huevos rancheros can be hard to come across in Ann Arbor. But the Michigan volleyball team may be feasting on them as it heads to Albuquerque this weekend for the UNM Tournament with New Mexico, San Diego State and Kent State.

While it may seem as though the Wolverines' situation is ideal (who wouldn't want to spend the weekend in the Southwest?), Michigan coach Greg Giovanazzi says that the trip will be too hectic to make it enjoyable.

"We get there around 7 p.m. (today) and will probably only watch tape," Giovanazzi said. "Then we'll practice and play New Mexico tomorrow. Saturday we're going to face San Diego State and Kent State, so there isn't time to enjoy that part of the country.

"I'd really like to take them into Santa Fe tomorrow before practice for huevos rancheros, though. I like to do stuff like that on road trips."

While the southwestern cuisine is a tantalizing prospect, the Wolverines (6-1 overall) are more tempted by the idea of coming home with a few victories.

"We feel like if we come out with these three wins, we will have had a great preseason," Giovanazzi said. "Our opening match against New Mexico will be tough. They're a top team that has already faced some of the toughest competition in the country."

While the match against los Lobos will be challenging, the Wolverines will also be facing San Diego, which finished last season with a 24-6 record. The Toreros (5-2 overall) head to New Mexico riding a three-game winning streak.

"San Diego is a really good team who is ahead of A&M in the polls," Giovanazzi said. "The match should help us gauge how well we match up with some of the top 10 teams."

Finally, the Wolverines will face Kent State. The match will be the first time the Wolverines square off against the Golden Flashes under the new leadership of head coach Mora Kanim.

Kanim was the assistant coach under Giovanazzi for five years. She also played for him at UCLA where he was an assistant coach.

"It's going to be a sentimental matchup against Kent State," Giovanazzi said. "A lot of our players played for her, so it's going to be interesting to watch."

09-17-98