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Sports
NCAA Tourney
Sweet Sixteen
by Michael Cifelli
Collegian Staff Writer
Midwest Regional (at Minneapolis, Minn.)
Illinois vs. Louisville: Battle and the fightin' Illini are
known for, plenty of high flying dunks. But, even more devastating is
their intelligent play on the court which is orchestrated by point
guard Steve Bardo. Illinois' game has been sparked with the return of
Kendall Gill. A concern for the Louisville Cardinals has to be the
Illinois defense which has forced 35 turnovers and allowed only 42
percent shooting from the floor. Cardinal hopes for advancement lie
solely in the hands of Pervis Ellison and Labradford Smith.
Missouri vs. Syracuse: These two teams met in November
at the NIT Big Apple Tournament's title game. The Orangemen won
that contest 86-84, behind the play of Sherman Douglas. The key for
Syracuse in this match-up is Derrick Coleman, who has a bad back.
His second round comeback of 12 points and seven rebounds has
seemed to spark the Orange attack. The key for Missouri depends on
the outcome of the backcourt showdown between Byron Irvin and
Douglas.
Southeast Regional (at Lexington, Ky.)
Oklahoma vs. Virginia: The Sooners are back in high
scoring form after a season-low point tally (72) in their one-point
escape from E. Tennessee. The Cavaliers are at their peak, coming off
back to back 100-point games. Virginia's Richard Morgan has scored
33 points in each of the past two games. However, the Sooners
possess the best inside/outside combination around in Stacey King
and Mookie Blaylock. The Cays will have their hands full with these
two.
North Carolina vs. Michigan: This is a regional rematch
of a year ago which the Tar Heels won. North Carolina's main
concern has to be the hot Wolverine trio of Terry Mills, Glen Rice
and Rumeal Robinson. The return of North Carolina's 3. R. Reid
from suspension should help make this contest a battle to the /ery
end.
East Regional (at East Rutherford, N.J.)
Georgetown vs. N.C. State: When Charles Smith is
clicking, so are the rest of the Hoyas. Along with Smith is
Georgetown's freshman sensation Alonzo. Mourning, the nations
leading shot-blocker. Jim Valvano's hot scorer is guard Rodney
Monroe who is coming of off a tournament high 40 points against
lowa. He is the Wolfpack's clutch player down the stretch.
Duke vs. Minnesota: The Golden. Gophers are wearing the
glass slipper this year. Considered to be in a rebuilding year,
Minnesota has gone father than anyone expected behind the likes of
Willie Burton. Duke, on the other hand, are following the lead of
superstar Danny Ferry who is trying to lead the Blue Devils to their
third Final Four appearance in four years.
West Regional (at Denver, Colo.)
Arizona vs. UNLV: The Runnin' Rebels thrive on defense as
do the Wildcats of Arizona. The Cats are the best ball handling club
in the nation behind defensive star Sean Elliot. Elliot predicts that
number one Arizona will go the distance whereas the Rebels' Stacey
Augmon and Anderson Hunt provide the power for a possible upset.
Indiana. vs. Seton Hall: Bobby Knight has done it again and
gotten his Hoosiers deep into tournament play. He has solid help in
Jay Edwards as well as one of the deepest benches in the nation. The
Pirates have been struggling but are confident they can improve.
Although the Pirates are bigger than Indiana, Ramon Ramos needs to
fully- recover from a concussion for Sewn Hall to take it to the
Hoosiers.
Top Perpnnvw After Two Rounds
40 - Rodney Monroe, N.C. State vs. lowa
36 - Glen Rice, Michigan vs. S. Alabama
35 - BJ. Armstrong, lowa vs. Rutgers
34 - Mookie Blaylock, Oklahoma vs. La. Tech
34 - Charles Smith, Georgetown vs.'Notre Dame
34 - Mario,Credit, Arkansas vs. Loyola - Mary,
Points:
Lady Lions' Softball
New Coach Takes the Field
by John Musser
Collegian Staff Writer
It's a new season for the Lady
Lions' softball team and they have
a new coach to guide them
through it.
"I'm very excited to be here,"
said first-year coach Brett Banker,
"I'm fully committed to building a
quality softball program."
Banker, who also is Sports
Information Director here at
Behrend, spent his last three years
at NCAA. Division II Springfield
(Mass.) College as an assistant
coach. Before that, he was varsity
head coach at Hanover High
School (New Hampshire) for three
years where his teams qualified for
the state tournament all three
years. He has also coached
summer, fast-pitch American
Softball Association teams for
seven years.
Banker, a Hanover native, is a
graduate of Springfield College,
where he played baseball. At
Springfield, Banker earned a
Bachelor of Science degree and a
Masters in Education.
The new coach is ready to take
Behrend to a new level. "I very
much respect what previous
softball coaches have
accomplished at Penn State-
Behrend. At the same time,
though, I'm ready to take the next
step and develop consistently
competitive teams." -
As for his players, Banker feels
that he has assembled a talented
group. "We have a lot of quality
players, and for the first time,
there is depth on the pitching
staff. We are very fortunate to
have an excellent group of
returnees and talented freshman as
Club Volleyball Action
by Missy Mace
Collegian Staff Writer
A hot gym with six people on
each side sacrificing their bodies
to keep a ball from contacting the
floor and trying to place the ball
on the floor of the opponent's.
The sport is volleyball and the
Men's Volleyball Club plays it
as well as any other.
Scott Olsen and Mark Shreck
organize practice every Tuesday,
Thursday, and Sunday nights for
a couple of hours. They also
organize playing time for each
player as any coach would do.
The team consists of many
soccer players along with other
talented players. Tom Kerr and
Chris Prince serve as captains and
both are setters who take control
of the game. Chris mostly sets
from the back row and also hits
powerfully from the middle front
row position. He is also
perfecting a jump serve.
Tim Wilson hits well from
the middle and newcomer Doug
Hanes handles the outside. . Rick
Rohall, Kevin Hess, Tim
Hepinger, Greg Mellquist and
Olsen are all strong outside
The Collegian Wednesday, March 22
well."
Returning letter-winners are
Tammy Altsman (INF-OF), Lisa
Butch (INF), Lisa Dorenkamp (C),
Jennifer Mowris (INF-P), Tina
Mattress (INF), Erica Scribner
(18-OF), and Theresa Sumner
(OF-P).
Top newcomers include Beth
Balizet (P-1B), Melanie Dunn
Brett Banker
(INF-P), Lisa Irvine (INF), Kellie
Jordan (C-INF), Keiren Logue
(OF-1B), Lea Morrison (INF),
Cindi Patton (P-OF), and Erika Banker was quick to point out
Renwick (P-INF). that, "with all double-headers,
The 'B9 edition of Behrend everyone on the roster will see
softball features a strong infield. playing time."
Altsman, last year's starter at What is Banker's outlook on
second, will see a lot of playing the season? "At this point, I
time again at second and is a solid would expect to go at least
. .500.
contact hitter. Butch is a (However) No Division 111 team in
tremendous athlete and a strong the country plays as hard a
hitter whose good defense has her schedule as we do." Nearly half of
anchored at the shortstop position. the schedule is against Division II
Dunn will see time at third or and/or NAIA schools, plus some
first, while Morrison will also see highly ranked Division 111 teams.
hitters. Matt Gallagher has
quickness and accurate passes
from the back row along with
Mark Shreck, Carmine Romano,
and Jason Dix.
Their most recent match was
at home against Grove City on
March 17. Grove City was the
better team winning in straight
sets, 15-12, 15-9, and 15-5. The
scores speak for themselves as
the Behrend spirit decreased with
each defeat.
According to freshman captain
Chris Prince, "Our loss to Grove
City made us realize that we have
to play our game and stick
together as a team." The team did
not "stick together" as there was
a lot of mis-communication on
the court. Their passes were
inaccurate and as a result the sets
were off the mark and their
offense was nowhere to be seen.
The team keeps on improving
as the season moves on. They
possess a lot of talent and
potential that is fun to watch.
Chris Prince has a positive
attitude towards the team,
"Although we are lacking height
and experience we are improving
with each match. Hopefully, by
time at first. Mowris is a talented
player who does everything well
and will play a lot at third.
Dorenkamp and Jordan will split
time behind the plate, and both are
quite capable with the bat.
Although there is a lack of
depth in the outfield, there is no
lack of talent. Sumner is an
outstanding defensive center fielder
who is expected to be the
quarterback of the outfield.
Scribner, who has a strong
throwing arm, could possibly start
in the outfield along with Patton
and Logue.
Mattress and Irvine can both
play a variety of positions,
providing important versatility to
the team. Mattress gives the team
an added dose of experience.
The pitching staff has more
depth than the Lady Lions are used
to. According to Banker, "Pitching
is the key" to a good year. The
staff is lead by freshmen Renwick
and the hard throwing Balizet.
Mowris, Sumner, and Patton will
also work from the mound.
At the plate, Jordan has the
best fundamentals on the team.
Scribner is one of the strongest
hitters on the team while
Altsman, Butch, and Dorenkamp
are all solid contact hitters.
the end of the season, we will be
able to beat the best teams in the
conference."
Track Club
Competes at
Clarion
Penn State Behrend's newly
formed track club traveled to
Clarion March 18 to compete in
the Clarion University
Invitational. Six club members
went up against athletes from
Duquense, Pitt-Bradford, Pitt-
Johnstown and Clarion
Top finishers included club
president Ala Stanford who took
first place in the women's 100
meter hurdles as well as third in
the 200 meter dash. Other top
performers include Jeff Lavalle
(who finished second in the men's
100 meter dash and third in the
200 meter) and Chris Filoon who
took fourth in the 200 meter.
The track club will compete
next at Case Western University
in Cleveland on April 1. A field
of 12 different teams is expected.