Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 13, 2002)
aggieli HF - BATTali Sports The Battalion Page 5 • Friday, September 13, 2002 A&M to host McDonald’s Aggie Invitational Aggies look to bounce back after tough trip to Calif. kits in College Sl IV <-* a good Da i>e has a l«t ■ are \<*r\ amn- musical sn declines k ’cna*. *uk! ihn s XJins iixiudc • </<*. I tie hand m in (Xti^bcr ul our upccc c have a good ■ nghc, jusi & l* has been kc to College Ss: reck Xnift.:*; lose at IIA'p ki HoMetnailh’ sing lot. Thr®j 11 lossed on rr By True Brown THE BATTALION ■The Texas A&M volleyball tea w ill got ns final tune-up bet ire conference play begins at the McDonald’s/Texas A&M Invitational II this weekend at G.I Rollie White Coliseum. ■ The No. 16 Aggies (5-1) luFt Sam Houston State, the University of Louisiana- Lrjfayette, and BYU, and the tournament will give A&M onjc final chance to see where it stands. ■ Consistency, blocking and defense have become priorities aft r the opening matches of the season as the Aggies have struggled at times to put every thing together. ■ “We’ve been trying really haul to start each game strong and finish each game strong,” said sophomore setter Lexy Beers. “We’re trying to be more focused so we can be more consistent. As far as defense goes, we’ve got to get the hard-driven balls up and not let them hit the ground.” While the Aggies average 14.59 digs per game, they have lagged behind in the category in their last two matches. Illinois State posted a 61 -55 dig advantage while Wisconsin posted a 71-62 edge. The Badgers handed A&M its first loss of the season last weekend in Madison. “We’ve got some issues with our blocking and our defense that are very fixable,” said A&M head coach Laurie Corbelli. “Those are the most difficult parts of the game, but when you’re sharp in those parts you have a great advantage. “Blocking is a lot of timing, but there are a lot of variables. Hitters’ arm swings, height of the set, speed of the set, distance the hitter is from the net, it all matters. A lot of it is teaching and repetition.” The Aggies' matchup with the BYU Cougars on Saturday will probably be the toughest of the weekend. The Cougars (3-5) began the season ranked No. 22 but have struggled this season after a slew of matches against top teams. The Cougars have yet to defeat a ranked team, losing to No. 2 USC, No. 6 Florida and No. 25 Washington State. “They’ve played some really tough teams,” Corbelli said. “Typically, they are a top-20 program and a strong program. 1 don’t think their record is indicative of the team they have. We try not to pay much attention if a team is really struggling because they can always come in here and be really really good.” The Aggies are 2-1 in match es lasting more than three games, including a come-from- behind 3-2 win over LSU in A&M’s last home game. A&M sophomore outside hitter Melissa Munsch said she would not mind some more tough matches before Big 12 Conference play comes calling. “We’re going to be playing some really strong teams from the Big 12.” Munsch said. “This will be our last chance to fix everything before conference, and some tough matches would help us with that.” n Randal Ford • THE BATTALION Texas A&M junior Tara Pulaski and Jula Rex spike a ball against LSU defender Jennifer Hampton. Aggie soccer faces tough task vs. No. 1 Tarheels By Troy Miller THE BATTALION fJtfflNG irwoffl iiiAL RVICE ■The No. 8 Aggies have relied heav ily so far on their 11 newcomers in games against top competition. It is not likely to get easier this weekend as the Aggies (2-2) take on the top-ranked University of North Carolina Tarheels (3-0-1). ■ Freshman goalkeeper Katie Jo Spisak is one of the newcomers that has received the most playing time. Allhough she has been successful, Spisak is still trying to adjust to start ing for a college team. ■ Against No. 2 Stanford University. Spisak turned in a strong perform ance, keeping the Aggies in the game with eight saves before eventually los ing I -0 in overtime. The following Sunday, Spisak had one save in another 1-0 loss to No. 7 Univerisity of California. “I’m really nervous before the games,” said Spisak. “Once I touch the ball the first time in a game my nerves go away.” Teaching goalkeeping comes natu rally to A&M head coach G. Guerrieri. After playing goalkeeper throughout his playing career with the University of Tulsa, Guerrieri also served as goalkeeper coach for the North Texas Soccer Association State Olympic Development Program. “We've concentrated a little bit on her technique and handling saves and making sure if she gives up a rebound the rebound is in front of her,” said Guerrieri. “Her hands are great, so the biggest improvement that Katie Jo’s had is confidence. She's made some big saves already.” We need to put enough defensive pressure on [North Carolina] to keep them out of their rhythm they like to attack with. — G. Guerrieri Head Coach However, A&M has struggled to give Spisak support so far this {season. The Aggies have scored six goals in their first four games of the season, four of the goals came in the season opener against unranked Rice University. The loss to Stanford ended an Aggie streak of 24 straight matches without being shut out. They had only been shut out once since the 2()()()-2()()l season. In order to beat North Carolina, the Aggies will have to give Spisak more support offensively than they have in their previous two matches and com munication may be the key. ‘'Obviously we have a young team this year,” said sophomore forward Emma Smith. “But even if you’re young you need to step up and tell people to pick it up or call for a pass and just to pick up our intensity.” The real test may be with the Aggie defense. So far they have played solidly even without senior Jessica Martin, who will still be unable to play this weekend due to injury. Anchored by junior Martha Moore and sophomore Amanda Burke, the Aggies will have to contend with some of the best offensive weapons in the country. North Carolina, led by junior Alyssa Ramsey’s four goals, has scored 17 goals in the first four games of the season. “We need to put enough defensive pressure on [North Carolina] to keep them out of their rhythm they like to attack with,” said Guerrieri. “We also need to maintain position so they have to chase us. It’s not just an issue of us defending the No. 1 team in the country, it's that we try to create a flow to the game.” CROSS CANADIAN RAGWEED Appearing liue At: UNSPOILED, UNCUT 12 NEW SONGS UNADULTERATED AVAILABLE NOW! RAGWEED Npvlt Entertainment Superstore Saturday, September 14th 3:00 p.m. © 2002 UNIVERSAL SOUTH RECORDS, LLC Attention All Members of NSCS National Society of Collegiate Scholars Induction Convocation Ceremony Will take place Friday, September 13 ,h at 6:00 PM in Rudder Auditorium Check in begins at 5:30 PM For more information, contact us at: http://stuact.tamu.edu/stuorg/nscs If you are a current member & would like to get involved, please contact us at the above address more information on meeting times. mm cjnceipl; this nsLLi mmm cth niewTw^ss in Poors Open at 9pm H ^ - F ridatj In College Station: 2004 Texas Ave. S 19791693-2619 $ I tMj Berts BvMts lour blind ked Teas Red Mi Vote 701 rtirersiff Cast Drive 3O0A
