Women depend on veteran core

The Michigan women will be a step ahead of the freshmen-laden men's team, returning a veteran core of players from a young team last season.

Last season, the Wolverines found themselves in a similar situation to this season men's team, trying to rebuild with a class of five new faces.

Now the Wolverines find themselves poised to improve on last season's 18-12 record and make a run at the NCAA Tournament, as they open the exhibition season against Athletes in Action Friday at Crisler Arena.

Michigan will start a veteran group of seniors is Alice Miller and Stacey Thomas, junior Anne Thorius, and sophomores Alayne Ingram and Raina Goodlow. All five saw significant playing time last season.

But that doesn't mean the younger players, namely freshmen Infini Robinson and LeeAnn Bies, won't get an opportunity to show what they can do.

"Hopefully, I am going to be able to play everybody," Michigan coach Sue Guevara said. "But the game is going to dictate that. I am hoping the freshmen are going to be able to get their feet wet."

Athletes in Action already boasts a 2-0 record, having soundly beaten both Ashland and Akron by an average of 24 points per game. The Athletes have also shot 55 percent from the field in those two games.

"They have a real nice inside-outside game," Guevara said. "They have a couple of really good three-point shooters, and they love to run."

Two former Michigan players, Shimmy Gray and Ann Lemire, will be making their return to Crisler with the Athletes.

Lemire, who graduated last year, ranks 14th on the Wolverines' career scoring list and second in career three-point percentage. Gray captained Michigan during the 93-94 season and ranks sixth on Michigan career steals list.

"Anytime your alumni come back, it's great," Guevara said. "It's an opportunity for both of them to continue playing, and Athletes is Action is a very good organization."

11-05-99