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Show Tuesday, March 23, 1999 The Daily Utah JENSEN'S continued from page 12 the first half, unable to grab that key offensive rebound he's known for, or make that defensive stop that helped put him on the First Team. With its heart sitting on the bench, the Utah blood simply stopped pumping. "What's hard for Alex is that even a minute slip in his play hurts him so bad," said Majerus. "He and I have such high expectations for him, any dip in play is disappointing to him. He does so much for this team." On the first day of the Utes' tournament, against Arkansas State, Alex lived up to his status. Jensen scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to help spark a sluggish Utah team to victory. The national media, which knew of Andre Miller and Hanno Mottola but didn't quite understand that it was Alex that made the Ute engine run at such a high level, was impressed, to say the least. It had been that way all year for Alex, though. It's not his fault the national media never took notice of Utah's quiet killer. Alex' face looked like it was scraped across a belt sander in a high school shop class, it was cut and bruised so many times. But he played on each time his skin was split, spreading his spark to all his teammates during times of fatigue or hardship. The WAC Tournament MVP saved his team far more times than he should have. With Miller being the focus of every defense short of the United States Army and Hanno Mottola's play fading in and out like a strobe, Alex remained a consistent force in the turbulent WAC. Sunday it was another story, with as far worse ending. Jensen finished with only eight points and five rebounds, nowhere near what he had hoped and expected for himself. The difference between a Utah win and a Utah loss on Sunday was big-leag- ue All-WA- Before the NCAA Tournament, Utah fans would snub Weber fans, and had every right to do so. Utah is a better program, better team and has better players. To lump the Utes in with Wildcats would be like a king playing kickball with the peasants. It's just not appropriate. All fans involved, both Utah and Weber State, can relate now. Each as upset as the other; each wondering, "what if?" "I don't think anybody saw this coming," said Alex to a crowded room of shocked reporters after the dismissal. "We're Utes' second-roun- d all surprised. It's hard to believe this happened." What hurt Alex most of all was that he had little to do with stopping the outcome. Foul trouble in his final game of the season stapled his shorts to the bench. He sat there while his lead in team surrendered an K ' .m Alex Jensen will be back to lead the Utes again next season. All-WA- C C Eric Walden intensity," said Launiere. "I think her competitiveness will allow her to compete early at this level. "We're thrilled to get one of the best players out of the state of Utah." was Idaho's Beal, also 1998 Gatorade Player of the Year in addition to being named First Team With the eligibility of seniors Sara Shakula and Erin Petersen having expired, the Utah women's volleyball team has some roster spots to fill. On March 15, Utah coach Beth announced the addition of "Brenda is a gifted athlete with three new players to fill those spots. The Utes first added Alisa Ged-de- s great size," said Launiere. "She is a transfer from Cal outside hitter The from Escondido, Calif, was named to" g the West Conference Freshman Team last season. Geddes played in 95 games throughout 27 matches. Her averages of 3.53 kills and 3.39 digs per game arguably made her the Titans' best Lau-nie- re All-Stat- State-Fullerto- e. The fairy-tal- e season didn't end the way most children's fantasies do. A record of 0 in the WAC regular season, the WAC Tournament title and a final ranking of No. 6 in the nation went all for naught. "We weren't good enough to be a No. 2 seed in the Midwest," said Majerus. "But it's hard to ignore our record. I was hoping for a No. 3 or 4 seed in the West because I thought it would be better for this team." There was no Szczerbiak in the 14-- West. "He's tough to guard. He comes off two or three picks every time down the floor," said Alex of the Miami star. "He is one of the toughest play- ers I've had to defend, if not the toughest." Leave it to Alex to give the other player credit, even when in his heart he knows he could have made a difference. That if only he would have been on his game, Szczerbiak and the rest of the Red Hawks would be in Ohio for this weekend, not the Utes. And leave it to Alex not to blame anybody but himself for the Utah loss. On the outside he appears fine, but don't let the smile fool you. He will let this loss eat at him like the Ebola virus until next year's tournament. Alex and Andy will probably be involved in a few pick-u- p thrillers. Frustration of tournament letdown will be let out on the other, elbows will fly. Shoot, Alex will probably open a gash the size of the Jordan River on his forehead, and keep play- Alex Jensen and his brother, Andy, both felt the sting Intramural Sports ing. For Alex, it's all in preparation for another run in the NCAA Tournament. One that won't be cut short. The tournament is where Jensen will be, ready to make redemption. Ready to make people forget about Sunday. Ready to make himself forget about Sunday. the most athletic of our three newcomers. She was highly recruited almost every PAC-1- 0 and Big Ten school wanted her." Launiere believes all three players will be solid additions. "All three are kids with great character and will fit in very well with our team," said Launiere. "We're bringing in not only great athletes, but also great people." of second round losses. Intramural Sports mnd U on tj on 4tJ Entry Deadlines extended to Thursday, March For mort htfocoll Sgl-379- 7; to register stop by HPER n. All-Bi- Tim 9 4ny place- player. "Alisa is a physical hitter with great ball control skills, which makes her a very nice player," said Launiere. "The experience she gained as a freshman...will be huge for us. "She was the go-t- o player at Fullerton while playing in one of the strongest volleyball conferences in the country. She will be ready to step in and play for us right away." all-arou- nd Despite just having transferred, under NCAA regulations Geddes will be eligible to play immediately. Utah also signed a pair of high school recruits to letters of intent-ink- ing middle blockers Katrina Ellett from Cyprus (Utah) High School and Brenda Beal from Emmett, Idaho. Ellett was First Team The in 1998 and is also a Junior Ellett also National was the Utah Girls' 4A Basketball Player of the Year in 1997-9- 8 and the leading scorer in the state in 1998-9"Katrina is an exceptional athlete who plays with a lot of emotion and Earn university credit from any spot on earth. All-Sta- te 581-880- 1 ulearn.utah.edu 9. Id -- simple. The only time Alex called his teammates for help all year long, they didn't pick up. He would have answered. He did all season. Volleyball Inks Three Recruits Chronicle Sports Writer Chronicle 13 mO30 CflJIJSGGQHFO (35 - 214. -- 25 |