dally nebraskan
Wednesday, September 12, 1979
spools
page 16
Lee competing for elusive blackshirt title for third time
By Ed McClymont
Same song, third verse.
That's Oudlous Lee's theme for his final campaign as a
Nebraska Cornhusker. This will be the third year in a row
that Lee has split playing time with Kerry Wienmaster at
the middle guard position without reaching the blackshirt
status,
"It doesn't mean a lot that I'm not a blackshirt, as long
as I keep on playing," Lee said.
Charlie McBrlde, Nebraska defensive line coach,
doesn't see anything that is going to stop Lee from
pi a vine.
"Oudlous Is a good, smart player. That's one thing that
both he and Kery have going for them," McBrlde said.
Lee's biggest attribute, according to McBrlde, is his
pass rushing ability. That plus could be a big one for Lee
as the Huskers face the potent air attack of Utah State
this weekend in the season opener, he added.
"We might use Oudious in certain situations, but we'll
stick with our platoonlng system for the most part,"
McBrlde said.
If the weather continues hot and muggy through the
weekend McBrlde is looking for a game similar to the
California contest a year ago, when the Huskers wore the
Golden Bears down with fresh players.
"California threw a lot last year, and they got a little
tired at the end." McBrlde said. "Fresh linemen can make
a big difference.
Lee put on 20 pounds over the summer, due in part to
a weight program. He doesn't feel his speed was hindered
by the gain, however.
"I can move pretty well," Lee said. "The weight didn't
slow me down at all."
Last spring Lee tried to make a switch from the nose
guard position to linebacker, something he did completely
on his own.
McBrlde said that Lee probably thought he had abetter
chance at playing linebacker in the pros. However, Lee
said the reasons were personal.
With sophomore Curt Hineline coming off a redshlrt
season, McBrlde said he looks for UNL to be stronger at
middle guard than any other down lineman position on
defense.
Lee enters this season as the sixth most experienced
Husker on defense, playing 307 minutes the last two
years. He has accumulated 51 tackles over that span, mak
ing 24 stops last year.
Lee said he has no lofty goals for his final season, only
to "play well." And that's something the Huskers will be
counting on this year.
Beatrice pair will set season together
By Ed McClymont
The UNL volleyball duo of Ann Haberman and Lori
Melcher have a lot more in common than just being
teammates. Both are starters, both are setters, and both
are from the town of Beatrice.
Haberman is a five year senior and this will be her third
year starting for UNL, and Melcher is a junior in her
second year of starting.
"We came from a good program at Beatrice, but things
are totally different here," Haberman said.
Both girls earned spots on the squad by tyrout, and
each think that all-around ability and hustle are the keys
to making the squad.
They (the coaches) wait until you make the team
before they try to specialize you in one position," Mel
cher said.
Their quickness and height, (Melcher .is 5-6 and
Haberman is 5-7) are teh two reasons they were developed
as setters.
The girls have been a part of a team that has racked up
a 39-1 record In Big Eight competition in three years, the
last two under the direction of head coach Terry Pettit.
Three Big Eight championships and the Region VI title
last year, leading to the national tourney, also are part of
the team's accomplishments.
Pettit said he feels that Melcher and Haberman will be
a key part to the Huskers attack for '79 .
"This year I have a feeling setting will be one of our
strengths, Pettit said. He also credits Haberman as "one
of the most aggressive servers on the team" and Melcher
as "a good defensive player."
The women see coaching and year-around workouts as
two of the keys to UNL's edge against the Big Eight.
Intensity is also a big part of the program at Nebraska.
The new addition of Lynn Luedke to the coaching
staff also puts an ace in the Huskers' hand. She is a two
time All-American and a member jpf the USC national
champion team of 76.
"Lynn has had actual playing time on the national
team" Melcher said. "She should help us in close
matches."
The year-round training which includes weight lifting
and running has helped the Huskers be better conditioned
according to Melcher. Despite Nebraska's dominance the
last three years, the Beatrice pair see the gap between
UNL and the rest of the pack narrowing in a hurry.
Continued on Page 17
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Oudious Lee
Coach Sanders hopes new player combination adds up to win
By Sara Martens
Husker baseball coach John Sanders,
with a broad smile, red jacket and a wad of
chew wedged between his teeth and cheek
does not look like he is about to conduct
an experiment.
Sanders however is experimenting as he
shuffles about 30 players on and off the
diamond, 9 at a time, looking for the best
possible combination.
The experiment takes place during the
Husker's fall baseball schedule and will
result in the probable line ups for the 1980
version of the UNL baseball team.
"We have a lot of work and a lot of
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Ptoto by Tom G
Senior bkfkUet Greg Schafcr grabs a throw to tecond htst Tuesday dnrinf the
experimenting to do. TTiere are several
possible combinations, all workable. The
coaches must decide where they (the
players) will be the best," Sanders said.
Sanders said the Huskers fall schedule
which begins Sunday at 1 p.m. with a
double header against Kearney State at
Buck Beltzer Field, will give the coaches
a chance to look at players in different
positions and decide on a combination for
the best possible ball club.
In addition to setting line ups, the fall
gives players a chance to work together.
"Our returning people will provide
leadership. The new recruits are from win
ning programs and they should mold right
in," Sanders said.
EN ADDITION to the returnees, recruits
and invited walk-ons (good players for
whom scholarship money was not available).
Sanders was greeted at the first practice by
about 60 "pure walk-ons," players who
were not recruited or invited to practice
with the team.
However, only two or three walk-ons
will be playing with the team this fall along
with three or four invited walk-ons.
Sanders will be looking for many of the
players to fill graduation vacancies left by
catcher Val Prim ante, the fourth leading
hitter on the 1979 team, designated hitter
Bob Gebler, second baseman John Russo
and third leading hitter, first baseman
Pete O'Brien.
O'Brien and former Husker Tim Carroll
will help Sanders as graduate assistants this
fall. O'Brien is a member of the Texas
Rangers dub while Carroll who played
with the Huskers In 1977 returns from the
Chicago White Sox organization.
Hie coaches are faced with a more
difficult decision this season when setting
lineups due to the depth of the team,
Sanders said.
Depth seems to be the key difference
between this and last year's teams.
"There is probably as much talent if not
more this year," senior pitcher Ray
Tromba said, but more depth is the dif
ference. WITH A WEALTH of talent and depth,
blending the old and new players together
becomes the key objective.
"It could take two weeks, or it could be
never, but I don't even think about that,
it's the seniors last year and we're going
to make sure it will happen," Tromba said.
As seniors like Tromba return to perfect
and polish their skills, freshmen are adjust
ing to college ball.
Steve Gehrke, a pitcher from Murray,
Utah is one of those freshman.
"I've got a lot to learn, new pitchers,
how to control my temper and when to use
pitches, it will take a year,' Gehrke said.
Gehrke was drafted in the fifth round
by the Chicago Cubs but chose college ball
for the experience.
Like other freshman he is taking
advantage of the experience of the older
players.
"In high school everybody was out for
themselves. I thought it would be like that
here but everybody helps you, the coaches
and the players, Gehrke said.
"Steve has a lot ot promise and he's
willing to listen.- Tromba said after
working on Gehrke's slider with him.
, "The team is starting to form together
already. They (last years seniors) will be
hard guys to replace. They are good ball
players and lent a personality to the team.
They were winners. It hurt losing them but
we've got winners coming in. If we work
hard well do it," Tromba said.