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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 30, 2004)
NE^ rT AllOs ticipjt, he Jay Corps oi iate in the he Brazos 3 fUflj. of Dimes begin it s ran 9le aoi lies to the ,r '. off of nin g at 8 McAnalli nder. enter, the n ch, lister tbe March )me physi. symbolizes tershipas their new eniorsam ; h bact, return to p.m. age 1 is good for it’s impor- ell as local ze the need ment more gnersaid. past yean ' been ven nple: Ride nvolved in page 1 id the stu- raise the hilanthro- od cause. ;ly grate- /all the m college anssaid. kick off end, sm- SVP b to ih.irt-1 r money, t time,'' age 1 nding, and fast around ridance at iff-camptis 5,000 peo- 002, when 10,000. from the szanization id it is not ir concerts condemn lion is M - condemn and that is icert. said !-Chair and Alex Kina. 9:30 p." 1 ' concert is 2 a.m. ef Editor tor roducer Iditor ^dunngi"' ier session :ais Postal e Battalio"' fficesafe' 11 47; E-mait Kient by 11 ’ 1 For class 1 ' ! r and office jenttopi ck inscription* inter pr$lh 45-2611. Aggielife The Battalion Page 3 • Friday, April 30, 2004 P||#|p Men's volleyball team bumps, SETS AND SPIKES THEIB WAY OYER IHE COMPETITION By Jeremy Osborne THE BATTALION W hile other Texas A&M teams receive loads of attention for mediocre seasons, the two men’s tlub volleyball teams consistently lank as two of the nation’s best tilhout many people on campus even knowing they exist. For 18 years, the teams have tompeted with other across the country in the surprisingly lough sport. “Ifyou’ve never seen men’s vol leyball, it’s a completely different jjme than women’s,” said Andy Fuselier, dub social coordinator «d senior mechanical engineering major. "It’s a complete power rime. There’s usually no more than two hits per side because it’s so aggressive.” The teams’ success is somewhat unusual in this icgion. Most competitive men’s volleyball teams come from the midwest and west coast where iereare established men’s volleyball programs in ligh schools, said Brett Swendig, club president ad senior sports management major. “If you like volleyball, this is the place to go for tin Texas." Fuselier said. Team two was ranked as the No. 1 team in IKB. and team one has been ranked in the top 10 several years. Team one was ranked as high as No. 9 in the aiionthis year, hut this season was a little disap- jointing because the team is going through a tran- otion, Swendig said. “Most of the guys on the first team have been ifih-vear seniors or graduate students," Fuselier aid. "So we’ve lost a number of players off our Biter for the last two years.” The turnover left the team out of the top 10 fis season. "We had a lot of young players this year, so it iouid be really helpful for the next year and the ar after that,” he said. The teams practice and play year-round, with inference games in the spring, Swendig said. "W'e practice two to three times a week for wand a half hours,” he said. “As far as the 'jring goes, every weekend we have a tourna- aciit somewhere They also play for fun on Sunday and Wednesday nights at the Student Recreation Center. Along the way, they are coached by Mike Popp, a graduate student and former player. Popp is a multiple-year All-American and was invited to try out for the College National team. “He’s one of the best players to come through A&M.” Fuselier said. Currently, there are 22 team members. More than 20 players either received all-conference awards or were named All-American players or conference all-stars in the last three years. “Some of the best players go to Europe after college. Europe has professional leagues and you can go and get on one of those teams and travel around for a while,” Fuselier said. “Other guys will convert over and play the beach tour, the two- man outdoor circuit.” Since only a small portion of the club’s budg et is funded through the University, team mem bers do extensive fund raising every year, Swendig said. "We do this thing called Big Clean-Up where we clean up Reed Arena after a basketball game,” said Anthony Duenas, team two member and jun ior sports management major. “Also we hosted tournaments, had a letter writing campaign and hosted alumni week.” Because of their fund-raising efforts, the teams are able to compete in nationwide competitions. “The best part about it is we are able to do a lot of traveling,” Fuselier said. “I’ve gotten to go to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, California - all without paying for it myself.” The Texas A&M men's volleyball team is consistently ranked in the top 10 every year. This year, one of the teams was ranked No. 1. Tryouts for the teams are held on the second or third week of the fall semester in the Reed Building on the third floor. Anyone is welcome to try out. About 50 or more people try out each year, Swendig said. “Usually, about half of the guys (who try out) have previous experience, but the other half don’t,” Fuselier. Neither Fuselier nor Swendig had formal vol leyball experience before joining the team. “We (Fuselier and Swendig) were just at the Rec Center, and a couple of guys on the team saw us, thought we were athletic and asked to try out,” Fuselier said. Duenas said he had roommates on the team, and that they encouraged him to try out. For two weeks prior to tryouts, the teams have “open gyms.” Interested students are able to see the team in action and current team members and the coach are able to see the talent Ben Stiller | Black UNDSAYLOHAN ■moiEi* PG-131pabents strongly cautioned^ Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13 SEXUAL CONTENT, LANGUAGE & SOME TEEN PARTYING 1, For rating reasons, go to www.fllmratings.com □□[o5]SJ MeanGirls.com TM & Copyright © 2004 by Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved. IN THEATRES APRIL 30 IE