Women's netters start preparations for BTT with road trip

By Joe Smith

Daily Sports Writer

It's crunch time.

With the end of the conference season rapidly approaching, and the top six teams within one victory of each other - it's time to separate the women from the girls.

For most teams, four matches remain on their schedule - four opportunities to improve their seed for the Big Ten Tournament, and make their case to the NCAA selection committee regarding their position in tennis' "May Madness."

The eighth-placed Wolverines (1-5 Big Ten, 7-9 overall) are coming off two heartbreaking 4-3 losses to conference foes this past weekend, and are hungry to get back on the winning track.

With most of the Big Ten elite battling each other in the next few weeks, the Wolverines have a shot at sneaking up in the standings and snatching one of the ever-important first-round byes in the conference tournament.

Michigan will host the Big Ten Tournament from April 27-30, with the top five teams receiving a free trip into the second round.

"It is important for us to get the bye," freshman Jen Duprez said.

"Playing on Friday will give us a chance for an much-needed extra day's rest."

Michigan has been hampered by injuries and illnesses all season, with Duprez just getting clearance this past Thursday to play after being sick for a couple of weeks. Sophomore Jen Vaughn has been sidelined with a nagging hip injury since early March, and her presence has been missed at No. 5 singles and also in doubles.

Senior Erryn Weggenman has been missing in action since March 6, spending the last month in Portland, Ore., with her family following her brother's death. But she returned to practice last week and could possibly be ready to go for this weekend.

The Wolverines could definitely use Weggenman's .750 winning percentage in doubles - Michigan has struggled with the important doubles point this year. Her experience at No. 6 singles will give her team the added depth it sorely needs as the Wolverines attempt to turn things around.

Michigan isn't the only Big Ten team having aches and pains, as the entire conference has went through nagging injuries - which can have a huge effect in tennis. One player can indeed make the difference.

"All teams are just one player away from being average," Indiana head coach Lin Loring said. "Whoever can put six healthy players out on the court will be the ones who come out on top."

Case in point: No. 15 Northwestern. The defending Big Ten champions jumped out to an impressive 4-0 start in the conference. But a key injury at the top of their lineup has left them vulnerable, and the Wildcats lost their last two matches.

Even without the injuries, every team in the conference is so competitive - no easy wins.

"Seven or eight of us can beat each other on any given day," Iowa coach Paul Wardlaw said. Wardlaw's squad has been one of the only teams in the conference to avoid the injury bug thus far. Actually, Iowa hasn't had a player miss action in three years.

The Hawkeyes (4-2, 7-10) will be one of Michigan's next opponents this upcoming weekend, as the Wolverines will travel to Iowa City to face a red-hot squad. Iowa has won four of its last five, and will be hosting the Wolverines on Senior day with two Hawkeyes bidding their last farewell.

"It will definitely be emotional for our seniors," Wardlaw said.

This matchup might also contain a sister-sister showdown, with Michigan junior Alison Sinclair possibly facing off against her younger sister Jennifer at No. 6 singles.

But the Wolverines can't look ahead to the family reunion quite yet, as they have face Wisconsin (1-5, 6-12) on Saturday. The two teams are tied for eighth place, with the hosting Badgers having lost five of their last six - including being blanked by first-place Minnesota last weekend.

But Wisconsin won't be easy prey for the Wolverines, with its No. 49-ranked doubles tandem of April Habler and Lara Vojnor, which could give Michigan fits in doubles competition.

"We need to pull out just one match, and then the rest should follow along with it," Duprez said.

Fortunately for the Wolverines, their last two matches of the season will be back in the friendly confines of the Varsity Tennis Center, as they face both Penn State and No. 40 Ohio State from April 22-23.

The Nittany Lions (0-6, 7-6) will be looking desperately for their first conference victory in two years. But this streak is misleading, for Penn State has fought every foe to the end this year, including tight 4-3 losses to both No. 15 Northwestern and No. 40 Ohio State.

After attempting to tame the Nittany Lions, Michigan will volley it up with the Buckeyes (5-1, 12-6), who are currently in a three-way tie for first place. Hosting Ohio State gives the Wolverines a much better shot, for the Buckeyes have been perfect at home with a 9-0 record.

"The conference is wide open right now," Ohio State coach Chuck Merzbacher said. "It'll come down to who wants it the most."

For senior co-captains Brooke Hart and Danielle Lund, along with fellow senior Weggenman, this will be the last hurrah for a class that has definitely made its mark in Michigan tennis history.

"Our goal is to win everything," Hart said.

Although the Wolverines are in eighth place, their goal is definitely a possibility. Michigan is using the 1998 Indiana squad as inspiration.

Those Hoosiers were a No. 6 seed in the conference tournament that year, but went on to take the Big Ten by storm - capping their cinderella season off with a Big Ten title.

Other teams note how dangerous the hosting Wolverines could be.

"I definitely wouldn't feel safe playing them in the first round,"

Merzbacher said.

UP IN THE AIR

Here are the top teams in the conference who are going to be grinding it out for the No. 1 seed.

Minnesota (5-1, 13-3) - The No. 33 Golden Gophers have been the hottest team in the conference of late, riding a 10-match winning streak going into this weekend. With a talented core of three seniors, and an impressive trio of freshmen, Minnesota has the balance needed to run the table and take the title. The only problem is that the Gophers' final four matches are on the road. Remaining: at Northwestern, at Illinois, at Indiana, at Purdue.

Ohio State (5-1, 12-6) - The No. 40 Buckeyes are fresh off their upsets over No. 15 Northwestern and No. 28 Illinois, and own an intimidating 9-0 record at home. Being solid at the No. 1-4 singles slots, if their opponents don't win the doubles point, the Buckeyes could easily run the table. They also have one of the more favorable schedule, playing only one more team with a .500 record in the conference. Remaining: Purdue, Indiana, at Michigan State, at Michigan.

Illinois (5-1, 9-10) - The No. 28 Fighting Illini's lone conference defeat was to the Buckeyes last weekend. After starting the season 3-9, Illinois has won six of its last seven. The Illini will also enjoy home-court advantage in their last three matches of the year, making them one of the favorites for the top seed. Remaining: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa.

Northwestern (5-2, 15-4) - The No. 15 Wildcats are defending Big Ten champions, and looked like they were well on their way to sweeping through the conference schedule - until an injury challenged their depth. Northwestern has since lost two straight and fell to a second-place tie with Indiana. But don't look past the Wildcats, who will be home for their final matches. Remaining: Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin.

Indiana (5-2, 12-8) - The Hoosiers squeaked past the Wolverines last weekend and have quietly sneaked into the thick of things. The owner of 14 of the last 17 conference titles is just one match back of the leaders, but has two difficult road matches down the road - making the quest for No. 15 a challenging one. Remaining: at Penn State, at Ohio State, Minnesota.

Iowa (4-2, 7-10) - The Hawkeyes raised the bar of success last year, making the team's first-ever NCAA tournament appearance. They didn't stop there, as Iowa upset two top-20 teams en route to a Sweet Sixteen finish. The healthy Hawkeyes look to turn some heads once again and contend for the team's first ever Big Ten title. Remaining: Michigan, Michigan State, at Northwestern, Illinois.

Up for grabs

It's now or never for the Wolverines, who are currently in eighth place in the Big Ten. With four matches remaining, Michigan needs to make up some ground if it has any hopes of receiving a bye in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament which it will host on April 27-30. The top five teams at the end of conference will receive a bye, but competition is heated as the top six teams are separated by just one match.

Team Conference Overall

Minnesota (37) 5-1 13-3

Ohio State (40) 5-1 12-6

Illinois (28) 5-1 9-10

Northwestern (15) 5-2 15-4

Indiana 5-2 12-8

Iowa 4-2 7-10

Purdue 3-4 9-10

Michigan 1-5 7-9

Wisconsin 1-5 6-2

Penn State 0-6 7-6

Michigan State 0-6 7-6

(*) National ranking as of April 10, 2000

Michigan remaining schedule:

Saturday April 15 at Wisconsin

Sunday, April 16 at Iowa

Saturday, April 22 vs Penn State

Sunday, April 23 vs Ohio State

April 27-30 Big Ten Championships (Varsity Tennis Center)