Through detours, netters persevere

By Joe Smith

Daily Sports Writer

What if?

This question has haunted almost everyone at least once in their lives.

But especially in the collegiate athletic world, where time flies by so fast - leaving an athlete only four years to accomplish every goal she wants to reach. One injury, one illness, one missed opportunity can lead others to beg the question, 'What could have happened?'

What if Michigan's Chris Webber hadn't called timeout?

What if talented blueliner Dave Huntzicker did not get injured in the Wolverine's playoff game against Colgate - leaving the Michigan's defense undermanned and exhausted in their run for the 2000 Frozen Four?

All these questions have been asked by the Michigan faithful around campus at one time or another - but one other question could be asked about a sport that doesn't get the same type of attention as basketball or hockey.

The Michigan women's tennis team has gone through a lot this year. Injuries, illnesses and tragedy have affected the number of personnel at each match.

What if the Wolverines consistently put their best lineup out on the court?

Starting this year with great promise, the Wolverines had a strong core of seniors returning from last year, all of whom were key contributors to the 1997 Big Ten Championship team as freshmen. Having only four wins in the 1998-99 season, which was marred by injuries and four one-point defeats - the Wolverines were determined and hungry to make their last season their best.

An impressive tandem of freshmen made their mark early on in the year, with freshman Joanne Musgrove second on the team with 14 victories, and fellow freshman Jen Duprez close behind with 10. Duprez also contributed in doubles competition, finding her niche.

Racing off to a 4-0 start, expectations were high as the Wolverines matched their win total from last year - and it was only February.

Senior Erryn Weggenman returned after a severe wrist injury sidelined her for 15 months. Weggenman brought experience and .750 doubles winning percentage to the already deep team.

Senior co-captain Danielle Lund also returned after the team's 4-0 start, bringing all of the pieces into place.

Then it happened.

After three tough losses to some of the toughest teams in the country, tragedy struck the team.

Weggenman's younger brother died in a car accident in early March, and the senior went to her home in Portland, Ore. to be with her family - where she remained for almost a month.

Sophomore Jen Vaughn's hip injury couldn't have come at a worse time. Soon after Weggenman's absence was made known, Vaughn's injury restricted her from playing at her usual spots at No. 5 singles and at No. 2 doubles.

That's not all.

An illness to Duprez, Vaughn's double's partner from earlier this year, nullified the Wolverine's depth - the perennial players at the No. 5 and 6 spots in singles, along with three key players in doubles were unable to participate.

The results were obvious. After a 4-0 start, the Wolverines (1-3 Big Ten, 7-7 overall) dropped seven out of their next 10 matches.

The record is misleading, for the defeats were by close margins, and if the Wolverines had their full lineup intact, who knows what might have happened.

Unfortunately, 'What if' is a question that doesn't mean anything right now, for it is impossible to change the past.

But the season is far from over.

The Wolverines have the toughest part of their schedule behind them, and a four game road swing against beatable Big Ten foes lie ahead. Weggenman should be returning to the lineup fairly soon, and once Duprez's illness gets cleared up, she'll be fired up to get back on the courts once again.

If the Wolverines can make a run at the end of the season, and win at least four out of their last six matches, they can be .500 in the Big Ten and receive a respectable seed in the Big Ten Tournament.

"These next few matches will be important for us," Michigan coach Bitsy Ritt said. "The time is now if we want to get a good seed in the conference tournament and reach our goal of making it to the NCAA's"

There's no question the Wolverines can do it after dealing with the adversity confronting them this season.

But Michigan has to look past the prevailing question of "What if?" and take the more aggressive and confident attitude of "What's next?"