Sports Shorts

Men's Volleyball: After controversial ruling, Yale rises to take gold in the Bronze

JULIA TIERNAN/YH

Yale hopes to ride their recent wave of success into next year.

After a rough first day, the Bulldogs had fought back, pushing their way into the final rounds of the bronze division of the NIRSA Club Volleyball National Tournament in Maryland. The team, which had entered the tournament on funding from the Council of Masters and was staying at a team member's house to save money, had lost a couple of three-set decisions to highly ranked squads on Fri., Apr. 9, which had relegated them to the third, or bronze, division. But they had won the rest of their matches that day and the next en route to a date with the University of Chicago in the semifinals.

An administrative screw-up, however, caused the team to go to the wrong court the morning they were to face Chicago. "We were given the wrong schedule. By the time we figured out where we were supposed to be, we were four minutes late," captain John Newman, BR '00, said. While the other team was understanding, as were the referees, one person insisted that, according to tournament rules, Yale should be forced to forfeit the opening game. That person was thecoach of the University of New Hampshire team, which was to meet the winner of the Yale-Chicago game in the finals. "He wants to win, and he does everything possible to win," Newman said.

"We started the match one game from going home," Newman said. "But, inspired by our desire to see UNH later, we trounced them [Chicago] 15-1, 15-12. I've never seen the team so focused." After defeating Chicago, Yale faced the Grizzlies in the championship game. Yale took the title handily, winning in two sets, 15-12, 15-10. "It was kind of anticlimactic," Newman admitted.

Yale finished the tournament ranked ahead of other Ivy teams that entered, and finished second behind Army among teams in its conference. "Assuming we can scrape together the money," Newman said. "We look forward to testing ourselves against stronger teams next
year, when Nationals will be held in Reno." Maybe next year, New Hampshire's coach will realize that Yale is not a team to be trifled with.

--David Goldenberg

Women's Crew: In spite of a tough season, crew takes last shot at victory

Last spring break was hardly a vacation for Yale women's crew. While a trip to Florida means relaxing on the beach to some, the Eli rowers were hard at work and feeling better about themselves than they had all year. "We really seemed to be on the right track at spring training in Florida," Liese Fritze, SY '01, said. "But we've all been kind of baffled because we haven't really had it together since we've been back in New Haven."

In an otherwise gloomy season, the first novice boat has provided a glimmer of hope for the team. Undefeated thus far in the season, the young rowers believe Yale has a bright future ahead. "We have a lot to look forward to," Abby Ford, CC '01 said. "Our freshmen are aiming for a championship, and we have to take their momentum and use it to build up the future of our varsity program."

As for the immediate future, the varsity rowers can still erg their way to victory, and reap the benefits of their hard work and dedication. AlthoughYale faces tough competitors, like Brown, the team remains steadfast in its commitment to complete the season on a positive note. "Sprints are May 16, and basically the whole season comes down to that race," Fritze said. "Although we've had a frustrating season, we still have a chance to redeem ourselves."

--Alison Morris

Women's Crew: In spite of a tough season, crew takes last shot at victory

They should have won. The Elis, who have dominated the Bethpage, NY course that has hosted the Ivy League women's golf tournament for both of the years it has existed, must have felt they were in for a three-peat. Though they had lost some valuable contributors from last year's squad, including 1998 Ivy Champion Natalie Wong, MC '98 they added a stellar freshman class that included phenom Sara Seo, TD '02.

In fact, after the first day of play, Yale led the rest of the field by five strokes, and Seo led all scorers after shooting a 78, quite a feat on the course that will be used for the Professional Golfer's Association's U.S. Open tournament in 2002.

But on the last day, something went wrong. Seo carded five strokes higher than the previous day, and while she still garnered All-Ivy honors for her performance, she slipped to second place overall. The team, like Seo, lost ground throughout the day, and when the smoke cleared, Yale had finished second by a mere two strokes.

Although its chance for Ivy glory is gone, the women's team still has a chance to salvage the rest of its season. On Sat., Apr. 24 and Sun., Apr. 25, the squad will be in Amherst, Mass., competing in the Northeastern Championships.

--David Goldenberg

Around the Ivies

Wide receiver Sean Morey '99, the 1997 Ivy League Player of the Year, was taken by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the NFL draft as the No. 241 pick overall. Morey hooked up with quarterback James Perry '00 for 83 completions this year--the second most in the nation--while compiling over a 1,000 receiving yards. Morey finished as the third leading receiver in Div. I-AA history with 3,850 receiving yards and 251 receptions.

Fullback Jim Finn '99 is going to Disneyworld. He'll also be attending a parade in his honor in Newport Beach, Cal., in June. All this because he had the dubious distinction of being selected as the last (No. 253) pick of the NFL draft, earning him the title of "Mr. Irrelevant." Finn, this year's Ivy League Player of the Year, was selected by the Chicago Bears after rushing for a school-record 1,450 yards this season.

--Compiled by David Goldenberg Back to Sports...

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