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Show HERALD DAILY C6 Friday, November 30, 2007 COLLEGE ATHLETICS Cougars face Ole Miss in tournament DAILY ... HERALD The BYU women's volleyball team faces Mississippi (25-7- ) today at 5:30 p.m. (MST) in Seattle in the first round of the NCAA volley- I It' ball tournament. The Cougars (21-7- ) re- ceived an berth in the tournament after falling to UNLV in the semifinals of the MWC volleyball toura-melast weekend in Las Vegas. It was the 24th time in the existence of the NCAA women's volleyball tournament that BYU has made the field. "We're very happy that we're in the tournament and that we have a chance to continue playing this season," said BYU head coach Jason Watson. "BYU has a rich tradition in the Tournament, which we hope to add to. The team is excited to go play and compete against the best teams in the nation." The winner of the BYU-Ol- e Miss match will play Saturday night agains the winner of tonight's other matchup, which features Washington and Missouri. Ole Miss was 14-- in SEC play to finish third in the conference. The 25 wins is the most by the Rebels since the 1989 season and is the 10th time that an Ole Miss team has hit the n mark as a program. The 14 wins in conference play is the most 27-ye- V J P JAREN WILKEYBYU BYU's Lauren Varley shoots over two UConn defenders during Thursday's game. 6 UConn victories over Stanford, Old Dominion and Duke at the Paradise Jam. Continued from CJ "I was just kind of depressed shots in the to be here; I wanted to be back BYU hit just 1 on the beach again," she said. at first half, and trailed "I don't think it was that bad. intermission. It was the fewest points Connecticut had allowed I think we just kind of pushed in a half since holding Provithrough it and got back in the dence to six in the first half of swing of things." Shawnee Slade led BYU with aa win in 2005. 10 points. "That's not my team," BYU UConn has held all six of its coach Jeff Judkins said, "They were scared tonight for some opponents to 54 points or less, reason. I know we're going to and five under 50. The Huskies held BYU to 26 percent shootlearn from this and get better. Sometimes you need to get ing from the floor, and just 16 kicked in the face to learn." percent in the first half. UConn outrebounded the Cougars Freshman Maya Moore Judkins said that Connecticut's came off the bench to lead UConn with 17 points. She hit play in the post, especially the defense of Charles underneath, was her first four shots and was the key to the blowout. from the field, becoming "Coach made it hard for us, the first Connecticut player to reach double figures in each just trying to test us and make of her first six starts. Tina sure we were able to just go," Charles had her second double-doubl- e Charles said. "I thought we did of the season, with 11 a great job just going." The Huskies didn't do everypoints and 12 rebounds, and Mel Thomas added 14 points, thing well. UConn shot just 33 leaving her just five shy of percent from the foul line, and made almost as many 1,000 for her career. Thomas acknowledged it (6) as free throws (8). UConn has won 19 consecuwas a bit of a challenge mentive regular-seaso- n games. tally to focus on BYU after 42-1- 25-wi- ence in the SEC." Today's match will be just the second meeting between the Cougars and Rebels with BYU owning a advantage by virtue of a victory at the 1978 AI AW Nat ional Tourcompetitive volleyball nament, precursor to conference in the SEC" the NCAAtheTournament. The have never played Cougars Jason Watson Missouri and are BYU women's volleyball coach against Washington. BYU played against seven schools this year that qualiwins in SEC play in program fied for the field, history. The Rebels are led earning a 6 record against by senior outside hitter Katie those teams, including a e Kramer with 3.66 kills per victory over No. Wisconsin. BYU game followed closely by also defeated tournament sophomore outside hitter Caitlin Weiss at 3.42 kpg. Ju- teams Northern Iowa (3-nior setter Rachel Kieckhae-fer- , and American ) while goa second-teaing against UNLV (0-pick, averages 11.45 assists against Colorado 1 per game while posting 3.36 State (2-against d Cal Poly ) digs per contest, second on the team. Senior libero Tara and 1 against Stanford the Tournament's top Langley picks up 5.09 digs per game to lead the Rebels. overall seed, BYU is tied for ninth in As a team, Ole Miss outpere forms its opponents in kills appearances with (15.64-14.23hitting percent- its 24th selection this season assists (14.56-13.4- and is tied for the llth-moage NCAA Tournament victories and aces (1.44-1.16"Ole Miss is a good team," with a record. BYU's said Watson. "We actually last appearance in the NCAA had the chance to see them Tournament was last season play last year against USC in when the Cougars defeated the first round of the NCAA UC Santa Barbara in the first d Tournament, and they were round before losing to USC in the second incredibly competitive and very talented. We expect the round in Los Angeles. The Cougars have adsame from them this year. They come from a very com- vanced to the second round in 18 of their prior 23 appear petitive volleyball confer "Ole Miss is a very good team. ... They come from a very 0 all-ti- 11-- 0 4-- five-gam- (3-0- All-SE- 3-- ), 0-- 2 ), 0-- 16th-seede- (1-3- 0-- (1-3- ), ), (.201-.181- ), ), 28-2- 3 fifth-seede- ances, with a 13-- 5 first round record and five automatic byes. The Cougars have made 14 Sweet 16 appearances in their 23 bids and advanced to eight Elite Eight Regional Finals. BYU's top finish in the NCAA Tournament came in 1993 when the Cougars advanced to the NCAA Final Four before losing in the national semifinals to Penn State. BYU is one of three Mountain West Conference teams to receive an invitation to this year's NCAA Tournament, joined by MWC regular-season champion Colorado State and MWC Tournament champion UNLV. The Rebels face Lont Beach State and the Rams face Illinois State. The Big 12 Conference, the Big Ten Conference and the Pacific-1- 0 Conference led all conferences with six teams selected. The Southeastern Conference garnered five teams in the field while the West Coast Conf erence and Missouri Valley Conference each have four teams in the tournament. Two teams, Penn State and Stanford have earned bids to all 27 championships. Six teams are making their initial appearances in the tournament: Cleveland State University, University of Delaware, Lipscomb University, South Dakota State University, Tennessee State -- University and UNLV. 71-2- 4 Aztecs that class left the program prematurely because of failure to qualify academically, Continued from Cl dismissal or transfer to smaller colleges. Last year SDSU was in MWC games decided by SDSU is coming off a 3 loss to TCU in which it led 0 or this less; year eight points after the first quarter. The , ,. Horned Frogs amassed 694 Statistics, of course, can be spun a variety of ways. yards in total offense on 111 But Long has been pleased plays and made 39 first downs. to see a more diligent work Yes, all of those numbers are ethic in preparation for including one hundred right games, and in the offseason. and eleven total plays. Just keeping players Long said he's .had to take it easy on his defense this around has been a battle. e The San Diego week, not just in workouts but also in criticism. They're points out that of the the 29 players in the young, it's been a trying 2003 recruiting class, 13 year. will take part in their last "We still have a chance to inleave our mark against BYU. college game Saturday, We're not going to give up cluding quarterback Kevin O'Connell. Nine members of fighting now," senior safety 45-3- 17-- .- . Union-Tribun- Corey Bordreaux. The fight has just begun, according to Long. In changing the attitudes within, and outside, the program recruiting plays a big part he also has to alter what he calls "paper things." The strength and conditioning, plus nutrition, must improve. The training room has to be better. Striving toward the goals of the program is a must. When he interviewed for the job, Long was asked what had to be done to turn around a losing history. Scheduling is a huge issue, he emphasized. The Aztecs in recent memory have gone to Michigan and Ohio State, e proamong other grams in search of money big-nam- and, ultimately, losses. This still faced Washington State, Arizona State and Cincinnati the last two are nationally ranked. With more input toward next year, Long has signed on to play Cal Poly, San Jose State and Idaho, plus a trip to Notre Dame. It's a better chance to win. Do the Aztecs have it Saturday against BYU? Long has pointed out that BYU's last conference loss came two seasons ago, at SDSU. "I know for me there is not really anyone else that I'd rather play on senior night," O'Connell said. "It gives us an opportunity to beat the best team in the conference at home, and go out on the right note." year they MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL NOTEBOOK After finalizing deal, Posada says Yanks need an ace THE ASSOCIATED Yankees, Red Sox and Angels. Are the A's top pitchers truly on the trading block? WeU, Beane rarely has untouchables on his roster. On this team, anybody can become expendable. It's not personal, and the players know and expect it. Take Beane's shocking three-daspan in December 2004, when he dealt a pair of aces in Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder. That left the team's Big Three as the Big One in Barry Zito. Beane also has watched his star players leave as free agents for expensive contracts elsewhere. Johnny PRESS NEW YORK The way Jorge Posada sees it, the New York Yankees must add an ace to their rotaa tion. That's why he wants Johan pitching in pinstripes next year. "We need a No. 1," Posada said San-tan- strides." The Rockies loved the way Torrealba nurtured young pitchers Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales, who fiUed in when Colorado lost three-fifth- s of its rotation down the stretch. "We wouldn't have been able to pitch Ubaldo and Franklin in the Damon, Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada. playoffs had it not been for Yorvit's And, of course, Zito. The handling on these two.young pitchcon- ers," pitching coach Bob Apodaca signed a $126 million, seven-yea- r tract to work across the bay with the said during the World Series. "YorSan Francisco Giants vit is a big reason we've been able the richest deal ever for a pitcher. to withstand so many injuries to our Harden doesn't have nearly the staff." same trade value he would had he This is the first multiyear contract stayed healthy in 2007. Instead, Hard- for Torrealba, who became the Rocken remains a pitcher basebaU experts ies' regular catcher after rookie Chris beUeve could be the No. 1 on a staff if lannetta struggled at the plate in the he were avaUable for a fuU year. spring. Harden went with a 2.45 ERA The Rockies also are making a big in only 25 3 innings all season bereliever Matt Herges, push to cause of an inflamed right shoulder another key contributor in a second-hal- f and didn't pitch again after July.7. surge that carried them to their He threw two simulated games late first NL pennant, but they have conin the year with the hopes of making ceded that another free agent, second two final starts, but ultimately debaseman Kaz Matsui, won't be back. cided it wasn't worth risking further Matsui is being courted by the Chiinjury. cago Cubs and Houston Astros. He was 0 in only nine games in I HBO to turn Bonds steroids book 2006, spending time on the disabled list with a strained back and then a into movie: HBO Films is planning strained elbow ligament. to turn a best selling book about Beane is always looking to tweak Barry Bonds' alleged steroid use his team without overspending. and the federal government's g probe into performance ft Rockies catcher to two-yeenhancing drug use in sports into deal: Yorvit Torrealba is staying in a movie, one of the book s authors want them. But it's coming not from Colorado, agreeing Thursday to a said Thursday. ing rolls around. two-yea- r deal worth about $7 mUUon us but from the teams out there with From whether Alex Rodriguez Lance Williams, a reporter at the interest. We have players people caU with a mutual option for 2010. San Francisco Chronicle, said that would head West or stay put in Yanabout. It's just a story by the nature Ron Shelton has been tapped to direct kee pinstripes to where Twins ace Torrealba, who filed for free agenof them having interest." Johan Santana might land for 2008, the flick and wiU cy after helping the Rockies reach the script While Santana is certain to be covthe World Series, was set to sign a it's already been an interesting winter with "Tin Cup" partner John Norville three-yea- r on the baseball front. contract for about twice once the HoUywood writers strike is eted by numerous clubs if the Twins the money with the New York Mets settled. Now, as the annual winter meetopt to trade him, it would take less The planned movie based on the ings approach next week, everybody to get a proven starter Uke Haren or this month. The Rockies got back into the mix when that deal feU apart and book "Game of Shadows" was first wants to know whether Oakland's Blanton from the A's. The Mets and the Mets traded for Johnny Estrada crafty general manager will offer up Dodgers are among the teams apparreported Wednesday by Variety. his top pitchers instead. Dan Haren, ently interested in discussing a deal Williams the book with Joe Blanton, Rich Harden or even clos"I sure thought he was gone to the sports writer Mark Fainaru-Wadwith Oakland, because they might not er Huston Street to better his own be willing to pay the price to get San- Mets and now I'm very, very excited who recently left the Chronicle to join and two-tim- e to have him back," Colorado general ESPN. tana. The operation. "There's lots of scuttlebutt about AL Cy Young Award winner already manager Dan O'Dowd told The AsMuch of the book was based on our players," Beane said. "Teams sociated Press after Torrealba passed secret grand jury testimony is being pursued by the y catcher Thursday after the finalized his new contract with the Yankees. "I would love to have him." New York is involved in trade talks with the Minnesota Twins about their two-tim-e Cy Young Award winner, who can become a free agent after next season. Posada thinks it might be crucial to land Santana or another top starter because he's not sure buddy Andy Pettitte will return to the Yankees. "Right now, he's leaning toward retirement," Posada said on a conference call. "I've been talking to him. I try to call him every week. It's tough. He's got a tough decision to make." Pettitte went with a 4.05 ERA for the Yankees this season. The has said he'll either pitch for New York next year or retire. "He's going to make that decision around probably the middle of January," said Posada, adding that Pettitte's friends on the team will try to persuade him to play. "If Andy doesn't come back, we need to fill that hole." Pettitte's future is one factor the RLEAssociated Press Yankees must consider as they try to work out a trade for Santana. In reNew York Yankees' Jorge Posada hits his second home run of the game in turn, the Twins probably would want the eighth inning of the Yankees 1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 1. at least one of New York's three prized pitching prospects: Joba ChamAU-St- 15-- 9 his physical Thursday evening. "Yorvit brings an edge to this team, an emotional edge. I thought he took a big step over the second half of the season and the final month and in the playoffs. He's 29 years old. We hope he can continue to make those 2-- n 4-- 8-- berlain, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy. "I love the young kids. I love all three of them. They have bright futures," Posada said. But he thinks the Yankees would be better suited to win in the playoffs if they had a proven No. 1 starter. "It is a need in October. No question about it," Posada said, pointing out how impressed he was with Sanin tana while catching the the game. "To face him is a lot different than it is to catch him." AU-St- n ' AU-St- A's weigh whether to swap their top pitchers: Billy Beane has been in the baseball business long enough to know how all the offseason speculation fuels the sport until spring train ft wide-rangin- te a, low-budg- g I. |