Page 4 The Blue Banner April 24,2003

S p o r t s ______Banner Bark UNCA tennis caps ofF season Opinions firom the Sports page a little bit deeper than us in thdi line-up,” said Hodges. For the men’s team, Branks pullej Going Cup crazy in the only singles victory with in the Carolinas score of 6-2, 6-4. Paul Ambrost and Mulhane clinched a doubla victory over their Seahawks oppo­ Terrence nents with a score of 8-6. “On the men’s side, really I think Sports Columnist the Elon match-up hurt us, playinj the day before. It was such a lor match, we really came out a littlt Spring is finally here and with it flat and didn’t have our legs,” said comes one of the greatest occur­ Hodges. “Wilmington had had two rences in the sports world. No, I’m weeks off coming into that match, not talking about ’s open­ so they were a little more fresh. "Wt ing day or March Madness, though did get a win against Wilmington those do have their merits. I’m talk­ on the men’s side.with Adam ing about the much-overlooked Branks, number three. He played slugfest that is the National Hockey well, he’s been playing well all League (NHL) playoffs. The first round is already over but Hodges is an alumnus from UNC- much of the general public has no Wilmington. idea that the Mighty Ducks of Ana­ “I used to go to that school, heim swept the defending cham­ / was good to play those guys. It w® pion Detroit Red Wings right out good to see my former coach. I wa of the tournament. March Mad­ the assistant coach there for thra ness did its yearly job of over-shad­ years and played there,” said owing upsets like that. , ~ fi Hodges. “I recruited three of tht It’s a shame that so many people ALAN AMBROSE/ONLINE EDITOR ALAN AMBROSE/ONUNE EDITOR players there and I know they didn'i know Syracuse won the NCAA want to lose to me, so that added: UNCA sophomore Adam Branks (left) and senior Ashley Jones (right) played pivotal roles as the Bulldogs wound down their seasons. Jones tournament but only a handful of little bit of motivation to UNC- helped lead the women’s team triple their win total from last year. Branks was ranked as high as 111th in the nation. hockey faithful can talk about the Wilmington, but they played well, trouble the Minnesota Wild’s game They came out of the gates strong.' The women’s team did bring in Then seven overtime win against Colo­ Adam Brooks team brought in a 4-3 where we lost the doubles point Several team members from bott rado. People are missing out on a the doubles point for the Bulldogs. victory over the . Se­ and actually came back and won the men’s team and women’s teai Sports Reporter great sport when they don’t pay The doubles team of sophomore nior Alan Ambrose, freshman Paul the match with singles,” said received all-conference accolades i attention to hockey. Natasha Lucki and junior Emily Ambrose, sophomore Damian Hodges. “We won four of the six the Awardi Turn on ESPN on any night this The UNCA men and women’s Acker-Estes defeated their oppo­ Mulhane, and junior Nick Neal all singles matches to win the point. Banquet Apr. 16. week and watch the third period of tennis teams brought home both nents with a score of 8-6. Sopho­ brought in singles wins for the That’s very difficult to do against a Zaluzhna received first whatever game you stumble upon. wins and losses after two recent more Oksana Zaluzhna and senior ‘Dogs. good team, so we were happy to do conference honors, as did .Alai Chances are that those 20 minutes matches against Ashley Jones also defeated their “On the men’s side, we pulled out -Ambrose. will be more exciting than anything Apr. 11 at the Powell Tennis Cen­ doubles opponents with an 8-4 win. a big win over them,” said Hodges. The UNC-Wilmington Seahawks “It’s been a long til you’re going to see on a baseball ter, and at UNC-Wilmington Apr. Jones was the only player on the “We beat them 4-3. They’re one of emerged victorious over both the male tennis player at UNCA hai diamond. The pauses between play 13. women’s side to bring a singles vic­ the top teams in the conference. men’s and women’s teams. been selected for that. She certainlj are short and usually few, the action The men’s team scored a 4-3 vic­ tory with a 6-3,6-0 victory over her They finished the regular season Zaluzhna captured the only singles deserved it,” said Hodges. “She hai is nonstop and the goal tending per­ tory over Elon, but proved unable Phoenix opponent. tied for second place, so that was a victory for the Bulldogs for the a great season. Alan played numbci formances are an art form. to top UNC-Wilmington. The “They’ve got a good team on the good win for us, gave us some con­ women’s side with a 6-3, 6-4 win. one singles for us all season, just did Maybe you’ll even get lucky and games brought the men’s team to a women’s side,” said Head Coach fidence. Damian Mulhane clinched Zaluzhna and doubles partner J ones an excellent job all year for us ar' see a game that heads to overtime. season-ending record of 14-5. The Chase Hodges. “We played well the match for us in a three and a half won their match with a score of 8- certainly deserved it,” said Hodgf overtime is exciting, but women’s team proved unable to that match, they just had a few hour match. I was happy with his 5. Acker-Estes was selected to repre­ let’s be honest, it’s usually only the win either match, although indi­ more weapons than us, were a little performance, he played well.” “The women lost the match but sent UNCA on the All-Academic last 60 seconds that matter. That’s vidual victories did come in for the bit deeper with their line-up. One doubles match win came in played well. Oksana Zaluzhna team. Both Alan -Ambrose and Nicli not the case in hockey. Nothing Bulldogs. The games brought the They’ve got some good players over for the team from duo Paul Ambrose played extremely well for us and got Neal were selected else in sports compares to watching women’s team to a season-ending there. But all in all, I was happy and Mulhane. us a win against Wilmington. a team try to save its season in record of 7-10. with their performance.” “It was the first match this season (Wilmington), like Elon, were just sudden death, which is a regular occurrence in the NHL this time of No championship is more diffi­ Track and field performs well at Clemson cult to win either. Baseball has three rounds, one of which is a best-of- five series. March Madness has Two UNCA athletes qualijy for NCAA Regionals after performance at BSC Championship single games. The same goes for the NFL. To win the Stanley Cup a man LaTanya Harris stole the show For both the athletes and the East Regional competition in May. The UNCA track and field team has to get through four rounds, Jeremy Shrader as she took home first-lace in the coaches, the Clemson meet served “It’s (Big South Outdoor Confer­ teams competed in the Big each a best-of-seven series. Sports Reporter 400-meter dash (57.56 seconds) and as an indication of the team’s over­ ence Championship) important South Conference Outdoor All those games lead to intense third-place in the 200-meter dash all progress level in all areas this because if you win your event you Championships Apr. 17-19. rivalries that add to the thrill. Take, Peaking at the right time is key to (25.66 seconds). season. get a spot at regionals, ” said Duncan. The women placed fifth out of for instance, any recent series be­ collegiate track and field competi­ “The Clemson meet was the best “I feel that this is one of the most “The meet is going to be a higher eight teams, while the men tween the Red Wings and the Colo­ tion. The UNCA track and field meet of the year as far as the team’s rounded teams that I have been quality meet than in the past. I finished seventh and last. rado Avalanche. Aside from intense team hopes their recent perfor­ performance goes,” said LaTanya on,” said Nathan Hedgpeth. “We think we have some athletes that Nathan Hedgpeth and Phil play, there have been bench-clear- mance at the -South Harris, a freshman from West Palm get better each year from new indi­ can qualify for regionals.” Latter became the first UNCA ing brawls including a bout be­ Carolina-All-Star meet in Clemson, Beach, Fla. “Personally, the meet viduals that contribute to the team. ” Hedgpeth is just one of the ath­ track and field athletes to tween goalies and arguments be­ SC reached that peak. was a confidence booster.” The talented contributions from letes that has a chance at qualifying qualify for the NC-AA tween coaches while still behind The meet included two first-place Outside of the sprints, UNCA’s each athlete were apparent at the for regionals. Regionals, held May 30-31. the bench. finishes and four second and third- track and field team had notewor­ Clemson meet as the individual “Everyone competing will be The fans get intensely into the place results. The team hopes this thy performances in both distance results reflected an increased level pushing the others to their limits rivalries as well. I have seen some will be a sign of things to come in and throws. Junior biology major of confidence of the team. for that seed (birth at regional com­ Games you can go to wild fans at football and baseball the NC.AA Regional meets May Nathan Hedgpeth continued his “It’s (the results) just a good indi­ petition),” said Hedgpeth. “I am games, but they don’t compare to 30-31. good form as he took home two- cation that they’re mentally ready quite nervous for this reason and I Baseball: hockey fans. The rivalry between “I thought the team did to do well this weekend,” hope I will do well enough to make the New York Rangers and New very well at Clemson,” said said Duncan. “ It gives regionals for the first time ever.” Apr. 25-27 Jersey Devils, for instance, brings Head Coach Dean you a little confidence fans into the game on a level un­ Duncan. “I think we’re ''The Clemson meet was series vs. Birming- going into the end of the UNCA Women's matched by other sports. Friends peaking at the right time.” the best meet o f the year as outdoor season.” ham-Southern and families, mine included, will be The Bulldogs had several “I think everyone is Basketball Camps divided over the outcome of even outstanding performances fa r as the team's perfor­ pretty confident going the most trivial of games between in all three team areas at into the end of the sea­ Friday, 3 p.m. the two teams. mance goes. Personallyy the Nike Girls Basketball the competition that fea­ son,” said Harris. “We’ve Camp Saturday, 3 p.m. If you’re still not convinced to tured Big South Confer­ meet was a confidence been competing pretty Jun. 15-19 give hockey a try, consider that the ence foe Winthrop Uni­ well lately so we should Sunday, 2 p.m. games usually last about two hours versity and nearby rivals booster. be able to perform well, and are usually a little longer dur­ Appalachian State and maybe even break some ing the playoife. This isn’t a four- Clemson University. Tuesday, Apr. 29 LaTanya Harris, Betsy Blose Basket­ hour baseball event. If you can sit “The meet was small and “We should'have more track and field sprint, mid-distance runner ball Camp vs. Tennessee through a football game or a little ve had an idea that the (all-conference selections Jun. 30-Jul. 3 basketball, then you won’t get bored competition might not be than in indoor) because 7 p.m. during a hockey game. as good, but actually it we have more events,” McCormick Field An even better way to get to know turned out to be a pretty good meet second place finishes, including one said Duncan. “We try to give each the sport is to attend a game. It for us,” said Duncan. “Their in the shot put (15.23) and the of our athletes a chance to succeed doesn’t matter which team you see For more (Clemson) track is really fast and other in the discus (46.76). individually in what they specialize informaton, contact Saturday, May 3 as long as you go. The smell of the Clemson has quality athletes to Capping off the team’s well- ice, the enthusiasm of the fans and Coach Tammy vs. East Tennessee compete against.” rounded performance was junior While some athletes will be vying George at 251-6924 -Although the meet was a total math and physics major Micki for all-conference honors, others or email State See OPINION team effort, some individuals stood Logue who placed first in the 1,500 will be aiming for the top as they [email protected]. 1 p.m. than others did. Fresh­ with a time of 4:49.20. compete for a birth in the NC-AA