sports
Gymmen hungry for NCAA title
By MEGAN CULHANE
Collegian Sports Writer
It came as no surprise Tuesday when the men's
gymnastics team received a bid to the national
championships at UCLA (April 23-25) its ninth in
Head Coach Karl Schier's 10 years at the helm.
At this point on the national scene in gymnastics, the
NCAA title is anyone's for the asking. The question is
how badly does Penn State want to walk away with
the hardware?
"It's not fun anymore," senior captain Chris Laux
said of his hunger for a national title. "It's a quest."
After all, a trophy is not just another piece of
hardware, it's a tribute to years of hard work and
dedication; it's a legal ppy-off for a job well done. A
national championship? Well, that speaks for itself.
The quest began in April 1985 when Penn State, with
one of its most potent squads, went into the NCAA
Championships holding the No. 1 spot after accumulat
ing a score of 285.32 on the season. After the first day of
competition, it seemed that all the Lions had to do was
show up for the meet in order to walk away with the
title, but fate didn't have the same game plan. As it
worked out the team settled for third place, posting a
Softball
team faces
another
road trip
By STEVE SAMPSELL
Collegian Sports Writer
On the Road Again
Do you remember that song? Well,
•it could work as a theme song for the
softball team. After a short two-game
homestand on Tuesday (the only two
home games the team has played all
season), the Lady Lions (14-16, 0-2 in
the Atlantic 10) are once again travel-•
ing, this time on an four-day, eight
game road trip to New England.
This road trip may prove to be the
most important of the year as the
team will play six conference games
against Rhode Island, Connecticut
and Massachussets. The Lady Lions
need to finish at least fourth in the
Atlantic 10 regular-season standings
to qualify for the conference tourna
ment which they will host May 7-9.
Today the team is in Rhode Island
for a doubleheader against the Rhode
Island Wrams (4-19, 1-1), scheduled
to begin at 2 p.m.
Both teams were in action Tuesday,
the Lady Lions dropped a pair to
Temple and Rhode Island split a
doubleheader with No. 20 UConn.
Although the teams were both at
the Lady Lion Invite last weekend,
they did not meet, so today's games
mark their first meeting of the year.
Penn State leads the overall series 8-
6. ,
Looking at records only, it would
seem a certainty that the Lady Lions
will get their first A-10 victories of the
year. Records, however, do not tell
the whole story with this team. On
paper the Lions look strong, it's on
the field that they've been having
their problems.
Aside from Nan Sichler who leads
the team at the plate with a .451
average and sophomore Tammy Ir
vin and freshman Dena Tauriello, the
hitting seems to disappear when it's
most needed.
A prime example would be the
Lady Lions' second game with
Temple on Tuesday. They loaded the
bases in both the first and seventh
innings, but didn't capitalize on these
oportunities and eventually lost the
game, 2-1.
"We've really been hitting the ball
well, it just seems that we're hitting it
right at people and especially when
we really need it," Head Coach Sue
Rankin said.
The pitching too has been strong
featuring freshman Cathy Kaminski
(7-6, 2.86 ERA) and senior Aileen
Polanis (6-8, 3.21).
On Tuesday Polanis lost her game
on an error in the seventh and
Kaminski gave up only one earned
run in her 6-4 loss to Temple Tuesday.
Assistant Coach Beth Perine has
been pleased with the staff though.
f * ~~ ~` i
r ~
.
Flyers goalie Ron Hextall helps celebrate their
3.1 playoff win over the Rangers Tuesday.
"It's not a game," Schier explained. "All the prepa
ration goes on months before. The guys are quite
Please see GYMMEN, Page 13.
Flyers trying finesse to beat Rangers
PHILADELPHIA (AP) The Philadel
phia Flyers have suddenly disdovered they
can win hockey games by doing what comes
naturally speed and defense instead of
fighting.
Even Rick Tocchet, who has led the Flyers
in penalty minutes the last three years,
discarded the "goon" tactics in the Flyers' 3-
1 victory over the New York Rangers Tues
day night.
The win gave the Flyers a 3-2 edge in their
first-round, best-of-seven Stanley Cup playoff
series. Another performanCe like that tonight
in Madison Square Garden, where the Flyers
have won 10 of their last 12 times, and the
series will be history.
Tocchet, who had two goals in the fifth
game and is the series' leading scorer with
score of 283.05 behind Ohio State (285.35) and Nebraska
(284.55).
"Basically, we had the worst meet of our lives at the
most inopportune time of our lives," Terry Bartlett
said after the meet.
After seeing a sure thing slip through their fingers,
it's a given that there will be strong feelings connected
with the heartbreaking loss.
"I think Coach has abad taste in his mouth," Spider
Maxwell explained. "But as bad as it seemed, we knew
we were the best in the country. Everyone knew that,
but we just didn't win it. That's just bad opportunity."
Instead of licking open wounds, Schier turned the
unpleasant loss into a learning experience. He learned
never again to count on statistics as an indicator of
team performance and he learned that the meet is
"never over until it's over."
Schier said that his philosophies have not really
changed from past to present, and that he's counting on
hard work, determination and skill to pull the team
through this year. The veteran squad is looking to
rectify the disappointment.
five, goes a game without a penalty about as
often as Flyers Coach Mike Keenan and
Rangers Coach Phil Esposito say something
nice about each other. He almost reached
that milestone, incurring an elbowing infrac 7
tion as the game ended.
Tocchet's behavior wasn't by accident. It
was part of a plan.
"We had already played them four times,
so there is no point in trying to establish
anything by fighting," the winger said.
"I mean we have to stay aggressive, but
there is no point in dropping the gloves now.
We want to line up, play hockey and intim
idate them with our speed and toughness.
"We didn't want a lot of stoppages in play,
because that's what they want so they can
Senior gymnasts (left to right) Spider Maxwell, Chris Laux, lan Shelley,
Tony Griffiths, and Mario Gonzalez will compete in the NCAA
Championships April 23.25 at UCLA.
rest. This way we can wear them down."
Tocchet wasn't the only Flyer to turn the
other cheek.
"We want to play as good as we can, stay
away from stupid penalties," said de
fenseman Mark Howe. "We didn't want to get
behind the eight ball."
Defenseman Brad Marsh said the Flyers
"wanted to play good, disciplined hockey . . .
We played a smart hockey game tonight.",
Even the Rangers' Dan Maloney realized
the Flyers became aware they were a divi
sion champion struggling against a team that
finished fourth, 24 points behind.
"The Flyers played a smart game," said
Maloney. "They took it to us good in the third
period (17-5 shot edge)."
The Daily Collegia
Thursday, April 16, 1987
Lady
taxers
out for
revenge
Will face Maryland
if weather permits
By DAVE SOTTILE
Collegian Sports Writer
Look out the window. Is it raining?
If the answer is yes, then one• of the
top sporting events of the , spring
semester won't be played on campus
today. If the answer is no, then the
Lady Lion laciosse team will seek
revenge on the University of
Maryland at Lady Lion Field at 3
p.m.
Here's the scenario: As of late
yestei•day, the game between last
year's NCAA finalists was scheduled
for this afternoon, however with the
threat of rain looming large over
Happy Valley, a decision as to wheth
er or not to play the game will be
made early this morning.
If 'Mother Nature cooperates, the
second-ranked Lady Lions will tangle
with the fourth-ranked Terps in a
rematch of last year's national
championship game (won by
Maryland, 11-10). If the weather is
nasty as expected then the
contest will be tentatively resched
uled for Sunday May 3, at 1 p.m.
While the game's playing date is
still up in the air, one thing is certain:
whenever it's played, it will mean a
lot more to the players than any other
regular-season game to date.
More than just a national ranking is
at stake here sports fans; pride is
involved, just ask Penn State attack
er Anna Marie Vesco.
"I'm still holding a grudge against
them," Vesco said yesterday. "I want
to see us win big.
"I really want to play and I hope
everybody can play with high inten
sity," the junior from Pine Brook,
N.J. said. "It would be great to see
everyone play well together."
The Lady Lions (10-2) have rolled
up 81 goals in their last five games for
an average of over 16 goals per con
test, while surrendering just 29 in the
same span. Penn State's margin of
victory has averaged close
. to 10
goals, but that doesn't figure to hap
pen against the Terps.
Maryland leads the all-time series
10-9-1, but six of those games
including last year's NCAA title
game (at College Park, Md.) and the
1985 NCAA semifinal (a 12-11
Maryland win in triple overtime)
have been decided by a single goal.
"This will be a very exciting
game," Penn State Head Coach Sue
Scheetz said after her troops downed
Lafayette, 13-8 on Tuesday. "Both
teams will put on a fine exhibition.
This will be one, of the finest lacrosse
games played all season."
"I think we'll have to concentrate
on this game," defensive wing Mary
McCarthy said. "We might have a
tendency to get caught up in thinking
about losing to them in the finals last
year. We have too focus on this year."
The Maryland / Penn State match
up is one of the top athletic rivalries
on the East Coast, with football being
the most obvious. McCarthy says that
it's carried over to lacrosse as well
"It has definitely been a rivalry,"
she explained, "because a lot of their
players play both lacrosse and field
hockey
"We also know a lot of their players
off the field, so it's a friendly ri-
valry," she said. "Some of us went to
high school with a few of their play-
ers, so it's the same players over and
over again. They have a lot of talent
and I think they know how to play us
Last year they matched up their best
defensive players with our best offen-
sive players." •
While that strategy proved success
ful a year ago, it might not work
again. One thing that can't be defend-
ed is attitude, and Vesco says the
Terps should beware
kiLt _ w _
local schedule
Women's lacrosse vs. Maryland, 3
p.m. at Lady Lion Field
Men's tennis vs. Millersville, 2:30 p.m.
at Penn State indoor Tennis Club
Softball at Rhode Island, 2, 4 p.m.
pro schedule
Pirates (Kipper 0-1) at Chicago (Lynch
1-0)
New York (Aguilera 0.0) at Phillies
(Cowley 0-1)
Flyers at N.Y. Rangers, 8:35 p.m.
Volleyball isn't just for the West. anymore
A few years back; no one from the years certainly got it noticed.
East Coast would dare challenge the This year, the Lions are gaining
heavyweights from California in a even more attention by not being
simple game of volleyball. Not even exactly modest about what they plan
for fun, because the knew they would to do. They want the gold cup, the
get demolished. silver platter and the brass ring all
Let's face it: volleyball is a beach compressed into one object with the
sport that tall, tanned, blonde guys logo, "Penn State 1987 NCAA
play 20 hours-a-day on Mission Beach Men's Volleyball Champions" print
in San Diego. There aren't any ed across it.
beaches around here, and don't say . If the award were based strictly on
"What about New Jersey?" because player quality, the Lions would have
those pathetic few miles of coastline no problem in staking claim to, it.
don't count. A Jersey beach is so Head Coach Tom Tait has assembled
second-rate they don't even call it a an arsenal of talent that would make
beach; they call it a "shore." But any California coach give up his
that's beside the point. condo on Catalina Island to get in on
the action. Get a load of this:
• Chris Chase This sophomore
middle-hitter was pretty much first
team everything last year. As a fresh
man no less. This year he is even
better. At 6-10, 230 pounds, he is the
biggest and probably most powerful
hitter in collegiate volleyball. And
when he goes up above the net, the
opposing blockers • aren't expecting
daffodils.
Chase goes up for the kill about a
The point is that volleyball is natu- week before the ball is set, arches his
rally a California-oriented sport ) I back, extends his right arm and
mean, you go to the beach to do three clinches his fist. He's gonna rifle it.
things: get a tan, watch women (or He knows it. The team knows it. The
guys if you happen to be a woman) guys on the other side of the net sure
and play volleyball. Unless you're in know it, because they are running for
Jersey, that is, where there's no sun, cover. Chase also has a serve that I
or volleyball nets. wouldn't mind having on the tennis
So when Penn State dared to enter court. The only problem he has is that
the forbidden zone, the upper-crust of sometimes he goes up a week and a
collegiate men's volleyball where day early and ends up practically
UCLA, USC and Pepperdine reside, it swatting a whole bunch of atoms into
was like they were committing some a, nuclear explosion.
kind of felony. The team didn't quite • Javier Gaspar Tait has called
assert itself as the second-coming of his 6-0 junior setter "one of the most
Pepperdine, but stepping out as the exciting players to play NCAA volley
team to beat in the East and making ball" and for good reason. Gaspar
four trips to the Final Four in six revolutionized the job of the setter by
Come Celebrate Spring At .11.)
11.) COFFEEHOUSE
TONIGHT with John-n-Eric
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HUB Cellar 7:30-8:30 pm wij
Free admission
'l-'')
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In the bicentennial year of the United States
Constitution, Bill Moydrs takes the pulse of the
nation's celebration in the weekly series, MOYERS
IN SEARCH OF THE CONSTITUTION.
Ten one-hour programs present one of
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"The series is about ideas:' Moyers says.
"The people you will meet have spent their lives
wrestling with interpretations of the Constitution
They remind us this document is alive in our
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what happens if we ignore or misuse it:'
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making himself a potent offensive
threat as well as a premier setter.
Not only can Gaspar loft up a set that
I could probably spike past anybody,
but he can make defenders look like
real chumps by dropping a little dink
past them while they get ready to
have their hands ripped off by a Chris
Chase kill. Gaspar is also the spiritu
al leader on the floor, providing
enough intensity to get even the refer
ees psyched. His minor problem,
though, is that sometimes he is too
intense and his comments of protest
become a bit louder and a bit more
personal.
Sharing the court with theSe guys
are players who tend to get less
publicity, but who, according to Tait,
are the reason for the team's success.
Outside hitters Robert Pierce and
Dave Bittner have added a new di
mension to the Penn State offense;
namely the ability to go to the outside
hitting. Not having to rely solely on
the middle-hitting of Chase and se
nior Jose Rubayo (another threat
when Gasper loops a beautiful set)
has really given the Lions an edge.
Tait has, also stressed the leadership
capabilities of co-captains Rich Cice
ro and Mike Hogan.
There's no question that Penn State
has the talent to win it all. So where
do the problems lie? Namely, in its
conference. The Lions play in the
Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball
Association, which is a big name for a
little league.
This year the schedule has seen
some improvements, however. The
Lions tangled with the Midwest's
strongest teams, Ball State and Ohio
State, a number of times and made
two trips to California, coming back
once ranked No. 1 by virtue of its
stunning upset over Pepperdine..
But conference-wise, Penn State is
men's volleyball equivalent of the
UNLV basketball team. The Lions
are loaded with talent, but have no
where to display it. When people saw
UNLV ranked No. 1 throughout the
year and coast into the top-ranking in
the West Region, their first reaction
was, "Yeah, but who do they play?"
Well, it's pretty much the same for
the Lions. True, No. 6 George Mason
is in the East, but that's about it. In
the seven EIVA matches they have
played this year, they have lost a
total of two games.
Coach Tait and the team constantly
question their ability to prepare prop
erly for trips to California when they
play such powerhouses as East
Stroudsburg and Navy. Furthermore,
after the April 1 match with ESU,
Tait went as far to say that Penn
State was unchallenged by the War
riors.
Yet, after losing to UCLA in the
final of the Santa Barbara Classic
last weekend, Tait and members of
the squad said that the team played
well enough to win, but were intim
idated.
This attitude has to go if Penn State
is to have a legitimate shot at the 'B7
crown. The Lions have the team, now
they need the attitude. Since they
have outgrown the EIVA, they have
to to start thinking Californian.
They'll need a collective tan, some
cool shades, anything to get them into
a West Coast mood. It's time for Penn
State to leave this East Coast stigma
where it belongs, on a Jersey beach
somewhere.
Marie Wogenrich is a freshman
majoring in journalism and a sports
writer for The Daily Collegian,
rTLCI. *4.l•tl![l
CHAND
YGAFF
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THURS.: 60 oz. Pitchers of
BUD $11 75
FRI.: HAPPY HOURS 5-7 p.m. *.
All drinks 1 / 2 price!
SAT.: HAPPY HOURS 8-10 p.m.
All drinks 1 / 2 price!
Sunday, April 26 Spring good times get serious. And
there should be enough sun so that you won't have
to wait for summer
Under the sun at nearby Bald Eagle State Park, the
annual Beta Sigma Beta/Sy Barash Regatta brings
you live music from 10 to 5. And there is six-player
volleyball, two-man canoe races and Tug-of-War, if
your team doesn't weigh more than 1000 pounds.
And $2.00 gets you in. The Regatta tradition as the
best concert of the spring means this year it's John
Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band, famous from
the movie, "Eddie & The Cruisers." CBS recording
artists, Synch, Sammy Atlantic & the Jersey All-
Stars all-Springsteen show. And Stolyn Hours, State
College's top band.
The Regatta. Sunday, April 26. Only $2.00.
Transportation from East Halls for a buck. Buy
tickets and register for events at the HUB. For the
Cancer Society. Co-Sponsored by Mid-State Bank,
Uni-Mart and Alpha Phi Sorority.
131,8 `YA GOTTA' REGATTA
'antes 1 'sforante
07rafloria
114 S. Garner St.,
Trattoria
237-0374
114 S. Garner St
The Dail
Collegian Thursday, April 16, 1987
237-0374
Dance to
Music by
Iran Stan
oil weekend!
NO COVER I