Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Wednesday, October 2, 1996 USC teams 1 1 nave rougn weekend 1 BRYAN JOHNSTON | First it was East Carolina, then Mississippi State and now ifll more than likely be Auburn. After starting off at an impressive 2-0, the Gamecock football team has struggled the past two weeks, dropping | their average to .500. Don't get me wrong, they haven't played poorly. They just haven't played at the level that they must in order to be considered one of the upper-echelon SEC football teams. To be able to compete with Florida, Auburn, Tennessee or any other topnotch program, Carolina must learn to be consistent week-in and week-out. The team that showed up the past two Saturdays is not the same team that | played Georgia. I must admit that Fm a little upset with their record and slim chances of going to a bowl. I say slim because they still have to win four more games, and they have to play at Auburn, at Kentucky, Arkansas, at Vanderbilt, UT, at Florida and at Clemson. You also have to be a little perplexed about the soccer teams as well. The men's team was ranked as high as third _i* ii .1 l j i i nationally in tne preseason ana startea ) off 0-3. After pulling to 2-3, they tied Santa Clara and lost to San Francisco this past weekend to drop them to 2-4-1. Coach Mark Berson is one of the best coaches in the nation, and he has some of the best players and one of the finest facilities around, but things just aren't going their way right now. I know they have a tough schedule, but I don't think anyone, including the I team, would've expected this kind of start. As for the women's team, they need to be consistent They won three straight including a 3-2 victory over the ninthranked Clemson Lady Tigers, to pull their record to 4-4. But this past weekend, they dropped a 3-2 game to a just-as-young Tennessee ^ team and a 2-1 OT game to Georgia, r Coach Sue Kelly told me that the Clemson win would only be justified if they could go on and win some SEC games and produce a winning record. After this weekend, the Lady Gamecocks stand at 4-6 overall and 04 in the SEC. Since the program began last year, they have Med to win an SEC match, going 0-11-1. But hey, not all is as gloomy as the t weather outside; the volleyball team is * doing great. After winning their first two SEC matches of the year this past weekend at Mississippi St (hey at least one sports team can beat them) and Ole Miss, the Lady Gamecocks are 11-3 overall and 2-0 in the SEC. Ashley Edlund, Heather Larkin, Fernanda Laires, Cindy Robarge and company have been impressive in their ^ 14 matches. This Friday night and Sunday afternoon, Carolina takes on Auburn and Alabama, respectively in the new facility adjacent to the Coliseum. This weekend will be a real test for us. Two wins would help us move up nmnfVvor crv\f fm 4-L/\ Tf ttn 11 V\A Q aiiufici im uiic ^'ioi. i win u a. tough match on Friday because Auburn is a very talented team," Coach Hudson said. With football interest fading fast, the interest could shift to volleyball, t Expect another raucous crowd at these matches as USC plays two key SEC matches. As far as hoops, only 13 days remain until coach Eddie Fogler and his troops hit the court for their first official practice. But this isn't the first time they've played together since last year. This past summer, the team took a trip to Scandinavia and played semi-pro and national teams. The Gamecocks compiled a 7-1 record on the trip. |l BJ, Larry, Melvin, Nate, Bud and the gang are all back for what could be one of the finest basketball teams USC has seen in a long time. Anything less than a trip to "The Big Dance" would be disappointing for everyone. Well, that's about it for me. Don't get too frustrated with the football team. I warned you two weeks ago that they were extremely young and were going to have bad ball games. If you've already given up on the P team, go check out some other fine Carolina athletics this weekend. The women's tennis team hosts the Lady Gamecock Fall Classic Oct. 4-6. The volleyball team is in action both Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Hey, it's free cup night on Friday, so what do you have to lose? YouH probably use the cup later that night. So go out and watch. There can never be enough of those "Carolina Crazies." Laires a sol DWAYNE MCLEMORE Asst. Sports Editor fr You may have noticed something in different about Carolina's volleyball team e\ this year. That difference is the new face of Fernanda (Fe) Laires. th m Freshman Fernanda (Fe) Laires goes 1 Clemson. The Lady Gamecocks resume Bowden's Tigers and ready for Sa JOSH PENROD Staff Writer \ a They both have roots that go deep ? down south to the Seminole burgundies v and golds of Tallahassee, FL. Now that g they both run their own shows, both being head coaches of Division 1-A ^ football programs, there may be only a , slight trace of burgundy and gold left r in their blood. This weekend Brad Scott will take ^ his Fighting Gamecocks down to Auburn, Alabama, to meet Terry Bowden and his 20th ranked Auburn Tigers. y Although this is not the first meeting between the two teams, (the last was , in 1933, in which USC won 16-14), this ? is the first meeting between the two 1 coaches. Terry Bowden is the son of longtime Florida St. head football skipper Bobby Bowden. Bobby Bowden is one of the winmngest coaches ol currently active NCAA coaches, and both Brad Scott ^ and Terry Bowden acted as graduate f assistant coaches under the Seminole u head coach. ^ However, Coach Scott and his USC team will have their work cut out for ^ them as they face their first nationally- ^ ranked opponent of the season. Since he has been at Auburn, ^ Bowden has compiled an impressive P 31-6-1 record over four seasons, and r has been a major factor in the Tigers t current 35-game consecutive stay in t the Associated Press' Top 25. a He is also the first coach in NCAA t history to begin his Division 1-A coaching career with a 20-0 record. ? Auburn has a current record of 3- 1< 1, and is 1-1 in SEC play. Coming off r of a bye week, they will have had plenty r of time to rest up and prepare for South d Carolina. ii " [Last week], we had a good week r of practice. We practiced Tuesday, I Wednesday and Thursday." u We had a little bit of running on fc Friday morning. \, SPO lid add In just a short time, the freshman om Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has had an ipact that has coaches, teammates and ren Laires herself, impressed. Laires, who plays outside hitter for le Gamecocks, is already near the top I m w m : *>" . ..jafe Spc For the ball in the Volleyball teanr ? SEC play Friday at home at 7 pm will be rested iturday's game Ve had some people banged up that re getting well. [Fred Beasley] and )ameyune Craig were banged up, but re expect them to be ready to play," aid Coach Bowden said. Beasley and Craig are both essentials i the Tiger offense. Beasley, a junior, 3 currently seventh in the SEC in ushing, and Demeyune Craig, also a anior, is currently third in the league a passing efficiency. "Demeyune backed up [Nix] for three ears and that's what I liked. He [has] erved his apprenticeship, so he comes a veiy knowledgeable about what we're ioing. Beasley has played a lot of football Dr us. He started at fullback last year ad lettered his freshman year," said lowden said of his two stars in the Tiger tackfield. Second-year starter and true ophomore Takeo Spikes helps lead an mburn Tiger defense that is third in he SEC, and is leading the nation in iterceptions with 12 in only four games hus far this fall. Spikes is currently second on the earn in tackles and is already a Butkus ^ward candidate. "Takeo came in as a highly recruited, lighly touted freshman, and he has iroven to be that good. He is doing a eal good job for us. He's very, very alented and he'll only get better with TIT ii. 1 i ) r n ii n l ime. we imnK nes a nne rooroaii piayer nd he's really a part of the success of hat defense," said Bowden. "We've seen some big wins in !outh Carolina and some frustrating asses like we've had. South Carolina, egardless of what happened in the ain, can put points on the board. [Their] lefense has made unbelievable mprovements and unfortunately their ecord doesn't show the improvement," lowden said. Known as one of college football's est motivators, despite losing their ast game to LSU, Terry Bowden will RTS n to volley of several team statistical categories. She is first in digs (229), second in kills (148), and third in service aces (13). Even more impressive is that Laires is second in the SEC in digs per game, with 3.95. Head Coach Kim Hudson has been happy with the performance of S h e s been a great addition to the team," Hudson said. "She brings ball control and experience." Laires didn't wait to make ha- presence on the team known. In only the second match of the season, she helped lead the team to victory over Central Florida, with 13 kills and 26 digs. She was also named to the Carolina Classic team. And later in the season, to the delight of any Carolina-fan, Laires came up big ? in a three-game sweep of arch-rival Clemson, leading the team in kills and digs with a dozen each. Laires admitted that even she has been surprised at how well she has played. "I was worried about how I would play," Laires said. "Now I feel more comfortable." One of the biggest issues for Laires was making the transition from Brazil to the United States. "The first . ^ ^H two weeks were tcial to The Gamecock , T very hard. I was i s game against homesick," Laires against Auburn. gaid m; _ BOWDEN "We've seen some big wins in South Carolina and some frustrating losses like we've had. South Carolina, regardless of what happened in the rain, can put points on the board.." A . .U. I I L. lerry ouwaen, rtuuum neau uuau scon "Certainly this will be our most difficult challenge as we go to Auburn. Auburn is one of the elite teams in our conference." Brad Scott, USC head coach ball squad [ "Now I'm much better. I don't have ^ time to think about Brazil. I'm always \ studying or practicing, or we have a game." Assistant Coach Corey Helle has r Deen impressea witn Laires piay as wen c as her adjustment to her new home. r "Fe's made a tremendous transition p from Brazil to the United States, both socially and on the court," Helle said. c "Her play has been phenomenal." Hudson agreed that Laires has done r well with the change. s "Fe's made a great transition," Hudson q said. "Everything's been new and v unfamiliar to her, from the people, to the food, to the location, language and p also the style of play." p Laires said that American volleyball j is not very different from Brazilian. n The main difference in American, according to her, are the harder physical (! training and increased frequency of matches. Assistant Coach Fred Santos, upon 0 scouting Laires, was impressed by her q leadership abilities, as well as her ability ? to take charge. Santos said that it was a because of this that he recruited her. p "She's a winner," Santos said. "She's 2 done really well, and we are glad she's p part of this team." Santos was also impressed with her p, performance on her club team in Brazil, Fluminense. [ Laires' 19 and under team was second at the Brazil Junior Nationals in 1995. Her 17 and under team was a third in 1993. g In addition, Laires, who had been g part of club play since she was 10, has made the Rio de Janeiro State ^ Championship Team on three separate a occasions. a . Laires continues to be on the right g track, as her play this past weekend indicated. f The freshman recorded 17 kills, 24 digs and an ace in the team's victory against Mississippi State. w She then had 15 kills, 25 digs and g an ace in the win over Mississippi. jy According to the USOAthletics Department, Laires will be nominated ^ for SEC Player of the Week for her ^ performance. y Hudson, overall, is glad to have Laires on the team. e "She's been great for our program, g not only as a player but as a person," Hudson said. c Laires, who said she was not e interested in individual honor, is looking 9 forward to the rest of the season. Tm just trying to play well in every match," Laires said. "I'm doing a good ^ job like eveiyone else, and I think we're b going to be ready to beat anyone." l_ EM? MMilwifiiiMHMiii Brad. Scott mus olavers for first * ACHIM HUNT Sports Editor you rui] "I was pleased with the effort of our pas football team in the game [Mississippi to 1: Statel, certainly not pleased with the results of the ball game. Our young the men really competed and played hard Th< in the game. That is a good trademark of our team." pkr "I sure was pleased with the He defensive effort we had. I am sure that hai it was the best that we have had all He year long. And maybe it might be the of a best effort that we have had here since qua we have been here, as far as our gang tackling and swarming to the ball on anc each play." _ the "Those kind of close ball games always come down to a couple of plays, imj Unfortunately, we were unable to def capitalize on our opportunities, we the misfired a few times there offensively, alr< and we came up a little bit short." see "After you lose a ball game like that, spc as a coach you have to look at the things insi and reevaluate how you are preparing your football team." gar "I have gone over a little self-check alx of myself, and certainly it is easy to second guess yourself. The only thing we is the package that we had in for the cas ball game, and I think that it is yoi important that we streamline our offense down to face Auburn this week." a S "Certainly this will be our most Au difficult challenge as we go to Auburn, wa Auburn is one of the elite teams in our goi conference." "When it comes to talking about the sup 4-svw-i 4-liww\ AM CMIM /MIM uuy uncc ui iuui tccuiii 111 uui ujijliciciivjc, ?01 the big thing that separates them from a g the rest of the league is team speed, the and Auburn sure does have that on their football team." for " They have excellent personnel on oin 1 their team on both sides of the ball. They are very well coached." wil "Offensively, they are a team that an< is physical and real big up front. They am are going to try and run the football at ha] 7 rom Staff and Wire Reports Volleyball Coming off two SEC wins on the oad last weekend, the University of !outh Carolina volleyball team is anked No. 3 in District 4 as announced ly the NCAA on Monday. Carolina is 11-3, and 2-0 in the ;ec. : "This is a great place for us to be ight now," head coach Kim Hudson aid. "I am happy with the ranking, "his weekend will be i. real test for is." t Carolina will host Auburn on Yiday, October 4th at 7p.m., and then dabama on Sunday, October 6th. loth matches will be played in the Lew facility. iolf The Gamecock Gallery, a rganization created by the South Carolina Athletics Department as a und-raising group for both the men's md women's golf teams, is hosting he 1996 Cocky Classic on October 1st at the University Club in llythewood. TVio fnnmamonf will foohira 9ft earns in a six-man scramble format. Iross Country . South Carolina's next meet will be t the Wake Forest Invitational on aturday, October 5th in Winstonalem, N.C. The Carolina women's cross country jam finished third out of eight teams t the North Carolina State Invitational 1 Raleigh, N.C., in their last meet on eptember 21st.. ootball Senior running back Duce Staley ras credited with one extra yard to ive him 100 yards rushing for the lississippi State game. The ball was incorrectly spotted y the officials in the 4th quarter of he game, and cost him the extra ardage. Head coach Brad Scott caught the rror while reviewing game film iunday. Under normal circumstances'the hange would be nominal, but the xtra yard was the difference between 9 and 100 yards on the day for Duce. With the change, Staley is the first JSC running back since George Rogers a rush for 100 yards in four straight all games. t gather his away game , we will have to be able to stop their l. And they also have an explosive sing attack, but I think we are going rave to force them to pass the ball." "They don't do a lot of formations, y only line up about three ways, m they go out and execute those." "Their quarterback is a very solid /er ana ne is a aangerous-type person, is such a threat with the ball in his id, and he is such a great runner, has been used in the past as more t short yardage and goal line-type irterback." "Their receiving core is very solid, 1 they can spread the ball out across field pretty good." "I think that one of the most iressive things about them is their ense. Statistically they are one of ! top defenses in the conference eady. It is not hard to see once you them play. They have great team ;ed on defense, and both of their ide linebackers run extremely well." "It is going to be one of those football nes where you are going to earn just mt everything that you get." it will De a tougn environment mat are having to go in, but that is the <e with just about every place that 1 play in this conference." 'It has been a long, long time since louth Carolina team has been to burn; I'm sure it was before some r. And there has been a few of them ng on lately." "I have lost some games we were iposed to win, and we have also won ne games that were real close. It is reat atmosphere for college football ire." "I think that it will be a stern test our football team, and yet I think * young men will compete. we win set up a game plan tnat 1 give us a chance to be successful, 1 then we are going to go down there d play our hearts out and see what ppens."