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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 19, 1997)
By Jay Saunders Staff Reporter A huge win in the Big 12 Cham pionships two weeks ago will help the Nebraska women's swimming and diving team at the NCAA Champi onships, which begin Thursday. NU Coach Cal Bentz said the impact will have a great effect on the women’s program • heading into this weekend. “We wanted to go into the meet and be com petitive,” Bentz said. “We showed that we can compete against the best teams in the country.” Nebraska hardly dominated the conference meet. The Comhuskers were trailing after the first three days. NU held a slim lead on the third day, but the Longhorns stormed back quickly to take a one-point lead. “We are traditionally soft in the first day,” Bentz said. “We grew a lot stronger as the meet unfolded.” The Huskers dominated the final day with 16 swimmers in five events —four of whom won titles. Bentz said the performance showed exactly what NU is capable of doing. “We wait down there, looked them straight in the eye and went after them,” Bentz said. “We didn’t fold. We came back from being down one and went roaring by.” The Huskers’ roar came from sev eral different people. Julia Russell, who was named the meet’s outstand ing female swimmer, won the 100 and 200-meter breaststroke. But the big push for Nebraska came in the re lays where it won all four. “Relays are a key because they bring four people together as a unit,” Bentz said. “Those were moral victo ries.” One of those victories was in the 400-yard freestyle relay. Beth Karaica came back on the final leg to beat Texas. Karaica touched the wall first with a time of 3:42.06, edging the Longhorns who finished with a time of 3:42.10. “That takes a lot out of a team,” Bentz said. “A lot of damage is done to the spirit. That is a psychological battle, not just a physical one.” Now that the Huskers have accom plished their goal of beating Texas, they must focus on a trip to the NCAA Championships at Indianapolis. Bentz said he hopes this is a big step for the Nebraska program. ii This win is certainly enough of an eye-opener that this is a real team " Cal Bentz NU swimming coach “It raises the level of expectations for the NCAAs,” Bentz said. “When you beat a team with that much tradi tion in a head-to-head competition, you are well on your way.” The Huskers could very well be on their way to opening the nation’s eyes. Heading into the Big 12 meet, Ne braska was ranked 16th, but jumped up the polls to finish 10th in the final regular-season poll. Bentz said now the swimming world can see what kind of a team is in Lincoln. “This win is certainly enough of an eye-opener that this is a real team,” Bentz said. “I don’t think it is much of a stretch to realize we are far better than what we have been ranked.” Springtime prepares NU for fall SPRING from page 10_ different roles,” Pettit said, “The main thing is working to improve individual skills, and it’s different with every player. “With Fiona, we’re working on getting her in a more consistent posi tion before she sets. With Reitsma, we’re looking to develop a quicker attack.” Although each player concen trates on individual skills, the team collectively works to improve its pass ing. Sophomore middle blocker Megan Korver — NU’s leading blocker last season—believes the greatest oppor tunities for playing time in the fall will cane to those players who improve in the back row, where NU lost two of its most consistent passers. Defensive specialist Maria Hedbeck and outside hitter Kate Cmich completed their eli r frfc They know they can win spots for the fall during the spring.” Tebby Pettit NU volleyball coach gibility in December. “We lost some great passers in Maria and Kate,” Korver said. “Now, there are quite a few of us who are evenly skilled, so we’re working to step it up with our passing.” Pettit agreed that passing consis tently is one of the Huskers’ major concerns. “We’re really looking to develop some primary passers,” Pettit said. “We have Renee (Saunders) back, but Korver and Reitsma and (Mandy) Monson are really working hard to improve their passing.” Despite the attention given to in dividual work, Reitsma, NU’s lone senior, said the Huskers will not lose sight of their team goals. “We work on more individual skills in the spring so we can come together as a team during the fall,” Reitsma said. “That’s where we find our motivation.” 1 SOME THINGS ABE MEANT TO BE CLOSED YOUR MIND ISN’T ONE OF THEM. 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Huskies topple Braves From Staff Reports Connecticut advanced to play Nebraska in the National Invitation Tournament quarterfinals with a 6347 win over Bradley Tuesday night. The Huskies (16-14) used a 24 point effort from Richard Hamilton — who was 10 of 11 from the line —and 15 points from Kevin Free man to end the Braves’ season at 17-13 in front of a crowd of 8,338 at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn. Connecticut struggled from the field makingjust 8 of 28 shots (28.6 percent) in the first half and fell behind 23-21 at halftime. In the second half, the Huskies came back strong making 11 of 24 shots from the field and 18 of 23 free-throw attempts. Anthony Parker led Bradley with 25 points and eight rebounds. The Braves made 18 field goals the entire contest shooting 37.5 per cent. NU remained the only Big 12 Conference team left in the NIT when Michigan defeated Okla homa State 75-65 at Ann Arbor. 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