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11/27/01- Week #1 - Wolverine Women Off to 3-1 Start The University of Michigan women’s basketball team headed into the 2001-02 season with great expectations. In the five seasons since Coach Sue Guevara took over, the Michigan program had risen from the Big Ten basement to become one of the top women’s collegiate teams. The 2000-01 squad won 19 games while losing only 12. In the Big Ten, their record was 10-6 which was good enough for fifth place. Sue’s Crew won an invitation to the NCAA tournament for the third time in four seasons, and scored a thrilling comeback win over Virginia in the first round. With only one starter lost from 2000-01 and a fine group of frosh, the Wolverines got ready to roll. The sports media took notice, awarding Michigan with preseason rankings as high as number 10 in the nation. The season got underway with an exhibition game at Crisler Arena against the Latvian RTU Klondaika team. The Maize and Blue dominated the first half, going to the locker room with a 48-31 advantage. The Latvians rallied after the break, but it was not enough as Michigan won 89-75. Alayne Ingram, the hero of the past season’s NCAA win over Virginia, led the way with 24 points which included 4 of 8 three point shots. Heather Oesterle was the top playmaker with six assists, while the center combo of Jennifer Smith and LeeAnn Bies provided both scoring and rebounds. All of Michigan’s players got at least some action. Highly touted rookie Tabitha Pool had a successful first game with nine points and four boards. Michigan headed down south to face the #6 Louisiana Tech team. The previous season had started with a big upset win by the Wolverines over the Techsters. It looked as though history might repeat itself as Michigan led 30-25 late in the first half. The Techsters went on a run to take the lead before the break, and went on to an 81-66 victory. Ayana Walker was the main thorn in the Wolverines’ side, as she scored 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. LeeAnn Bies was Michigan’s top scorer with 23. Jennifer Smith and Alayne Ingram also turned in fine performances. The team returned to Michigan, but its next game would not be in Ann Arbor but rather in the Motor City against the University of Detroit. The early going was not encouraging, as the Wolverines fell behind by ten. Despite poor field goal shooting, they managed to claw their way to a halftime lead of 25-22. Things got better after intermission, as the Wolverines pulled away for a 67-52 win. Besides being the all important first victory of the new season, this also gave Sue Guevara the all time Michigan record for coaching victories with 94. Bies once again had a great game, with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Tabitha Pool tallied 15 points in only 20 minutes of playing time, and also had six rebounds. Raina Goodlow, Alayne Ingram, and Jennifer Smith also made key contributions. Thanksgiving weekend found Michigan back on the road, this time to the northeast for games against New Hampshire and Syracuse. At New Hampshire, the teams battled to a near draw for the first 20 minutes and Michigan was behind 42-40. The Wolverines took control in the second half, turning what had been a close contest into an 81-61 rout. Fabulous freshman Tabitha Pool scored 21 points and grabbed six boards. Jennifer Smith and Raina Goodlow each chipped in with 15 points. Goodlow also had seven rebounds and six assists. Susana Jara got to start at guard and made the most of the opportunity with five points, four rebounds, four assists, and five steals. And so it was off to Syracuse to face the Big Orange. Michigan had easily handled the New York school at Crisler last season, but this time “Cuse” would have home court advantage. The home team led 7-5 in the early going, but Michigan shot an incredible 61 percent in the first half and raced out to a 47-31 lead at the half. The Wolverines got a bit sloppy just after intermission and this allowed the Orange to make a game of it. Michigan would not be denied, and in the end they earned their third win in a row by a final of 84-76. Ingram finished with 25 points, connecting on nine of 12 field goals and five of seven three pointers. Stephanie Gandy, LeeAnn Bies, and Jennifer Smith also scored in double digits for Michigan. Susana Jara started for the second game in a row and once again made key contributions with eight points and a team high six assists. So far, so good for the Michigan women’s hoops team. They suffered a disappointing loss in the opener, but have rallied impressively to win three straight. They have their first regular season home game on Thursday Nov. 29 against Marquette, then head to Grand Rapids for a neutral court matchup with defending national champion Notre Dame. The Irish, you might recall, ousted Michigan from the NCAA tournament in the second round last season. Marquette also beat the Wolverines last year, so it is time for some revenge against both of these teams. Although this column is focused on the Michigan women’s basketball team, I must make mention of the recent National Championship won by the Wolverine field hockey team. This is the first National Championship ever won by a Michigan women’s team, and hopefully it is just the beginning of many more to be won. Until next time…Hail to the Victors Valiant, and Let’s Go Blue! Vince Prygoski |
