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Let the players decide who's the champion | new world order As I look forward to another boring weekend of college football games between Top 25 teams, I realize that last week's action was probably the last decent games before the bowl season begins. Judgment Day saw the No. 1 team in the country drop to third, even though they won their game 01 one of the most unbelievable plays in sports history. Nevertheless, I agreed with A what the polls say. Florida State should be No. 1, even if they do plaj in a conference that's cheesier than Velveeta. Overall, they clearly showed they are the best team in rAimfw nn KnfVi ai/1na nf Kail wuuv1j vu mwv44 u1uvo vi v11v pjuu> Now, before all the Michigan fans, including my old roommate, start preparing their letters to the editor, bear with me, for there is on* thing I don't agree with about this system. ? Michigan, who is in the Big 10, will not win the national championship because of the politics of the NCAA. Since their conference is not a part of the Bowl Alliance, they wil ultimately lose out to Florida State or Nebraska. Thus, they will suffer aorno fafn na Da*m>* /li/J fnra "Wt iUVC CIO X ClUi UU11C U1U IVTU years ago and Ohio State did last year, making them the latest winner of the "Nuts and Bolts" Award. The national title picture has tv become painfully reminiscent of the Student Government elections on this campus. Not only do these teams have to come from a conference that's in the Alliance, but they have to come from the right conference. In 1993 Texas A&M went 120, yet wasn't even considered for the title. Last year, BYU managed to win 14 games, losing only to Wash ington, but had no chance at a national title Then comes the possible, but not likely, option of a split national champion for the third time this decade. However, controversy has come even then with the selections. personally, 1 thought lieorgia lech should have won it all by themselves in 1990 and not shared it with Colorado, who lost one game ^ and had two games in which an ex49 tra down and a phantom clipping penalty gave them two wins. There is only one real solution to this mess the NCAA makes every year? have a single-elimination playoff. Last team standing wins. Use the bowl games as playoff games. That way, the sponsors still make money, the schools still make money and the fans will see the coronation of a real national cham4k pion that won its way there and didn't ride the coattails of the press. The Alliance has caused more problems than it has solved. How many more controversial crownings do we have to see before the NCAA finally decides to take the national championship out of the hands of the press and into the hands of the players? Speaking of crownings, it's time again for induction of another loser into the Singletonian Hall of Shame with the "U Suck" Award. This week's award goes to a man who epitomizes the word "loser." Chris Simon of the Washington Capitals committed an act of true stupidity in a game by calling Mike Grier of the Edmonton Oilers (who, l ii a n a i \ Dy tne way, is an Amcan-zuiieritaui; the one name you don't call AfricanAmericans anytime or anyplace. What makes this incident even more disgusting is that Chris Simon is not a Southerner or an Italian from Benson-Hurst, but a native North American. You would think since he's of that particular ethnic group, he would understand what racism and discrimination are. As an African-American, and a hockey fan, I'm sickened by this incident, and I think the three-game suspension the NHL gave him was too lenient for the offense committed. I would have given him at least a 10-game suspension and a $50,000 fine. The NHL needs to hand out stiff penalties to show these racists this will not be tolerated. I can't wait for Edmonton to come to Greensboro for a game ^ against the Hurricanes. 1 Seniors rea BRYAN JOHNSTON Sports Editor AndaJ ular seasor Senior volleyball players ^ey wiU ^ Heather Larkin, Lori Drost and ^ie"' fQur J Shani Abshier have been through a Abshi< lot in their four years at USC. things to sa They remember when they ai01" teamn didn't have it so nice. They also re- "[Lori member what it was like to be at the wonderful,1 bottom of the conference looking up. been truly; "We can say we were builders Drost of this program," Larkin said. "We to say aboi all have stories of when there was "Heath no locker room, when we played at through a the P.E. Center and when there was Drost said nn nnn. fomlih. ? wj lie** lavuibjr. us have sta; But, now if s different. The three acquired a are proven winners and have their have for th< team on the verge of being invited to the NCAA Tournament. AbshiBf ! But, before any postseason travel plans are made, these three have . 7"^.1 one more match to play at home, a "1Jur^ match thafs very important and an- . ticipated to be very emotional. Junior r Senior Day for the three is at 2 told of the t p.m. Sunday when USC plays UGA. ^eir P^s 11 %%^-j -X ? ^ , " tpss aEm ' Hp* - i v< &&?<* The class of (1-r) Shani Abshier, Lori Drost an go down as one of the most successful classes in Pait winding <j KELLY MAGUIRE Senior Writer In any sport, if s always refreshing to encounter a player who is not only extremely talented, but a humble person as well. These characteristics describe senior forward soccer player Robbie Pait. Paif s career began at an early age, when he became intrigued with soccer. His father had tak- ' en him to some college soccer games and from there a passion developed. During high school, Pait excelled, being selected to the Region III Olympic Development Program squad that toured France. This accomplish i. a? j: i j.i_ _ atvti mem came aitei ius uuwsumiuujg piay m uie uur, ( "It was just great representing my country, and it was an experience that can't be replaced," Pait said. Pait's other pre-college accomplishments include being selected to the Puma/Corner Kick Top 1 50 list his sophomore, junior and senior years. He helped lead Middleton High to two straight AAA Lower State Championships, was a member of ' the Olympic Development Program for six years and was selected as the AAA State Player of the I Year his junior and senior seasons. 1 As Fait's high school career came to a close, he decided Carolina was the place for him. "Carolina had in it's history a lot of good teams in the past, and I wanted to carry on the tradition at South Carolina of good, quality players," Pait said. Being a part of the Carolina soccer team means i feeling elated, but also tested, he said. i The best and the hardest [aspects] go hand in hand, because when you chose to come to Carolina, 1 you knew you were going to be stacked up against 1 the best teams in the country on a weekly basis," ( rait said. Each game, you were going to be play- ! ing one of the top teams in the country, and that's the best attribute, as well as the hardest." ] Despite Pait's success on the field, like being \ the leading scorer on last year's team, he's most ^ proud of his soccer experience. "I'm most proud of the friends and the people ; that I've met," he said. "I'm really proud of all the i players and the coaching staff. "he Gamecock RjjtHijHCI Friday, November 1 dy for last hom [though it's the last reg- "We walked in to get our 1 home match for them, physicals and everybody's got their [ways have memories of little medical folders," Edlund said. rears in Columbia. "Shani pulls her's out and it's like ir had nothing but good encyclopedia." y about her two other se- Abshier has had surgeries on iates. her shoulder and wrist, sprained anand Heather] have been kles and is nursing a lower-back in' Abshier said. "They've jury, just to name a few of her ailgreat people." ments. also had positive things Teammate Stacy Donham is Ablt Larkin and Abshier. shieris roommate and has plenty of ier, Shani and I have been stories to tell about her roomie, tot the last four years," "She's a slob," Donham said emTogether, the three of phatically. "You walk into her room yed strong. I think we've and you can't walk because you don't kind of friendship we'll even see a floor. She's a mess." e rest of our lives. Edlund also told of the time Abshier balled up her jersey and threw it in the bottom of her bag after a h?a match- it time for their . v i . i next match, Abshier s jersey was is throughout her career . ,, , , ,. . ? , ? , b wrinkled and dirty. But Hudson made Abshier wear it anyway. setter Ashley Edlund , , ? ?, ime the team had te get " 3ttu"k re^ bad' Edh">d icals in the preseason. ^ "But it washilanous to see her out there m that jersey. Despite the good laughs she ^ fk provides for all, Abshier has been a valuable part in building the Car& ** olina program. |% The Tucson, Ariz., native has seen lifted action this year due to p w1 injuries. In 18 matches played, Abr AflHl shier has recorded 119 kills. I Despite her on-court troubles, f Abshier has it going in the classj^^B^^B room. She's double-majoring in history and art history in the Honors College. If that isn't impressive enough, she boasts 3.95 GPA heading into B this year. She has made the PresiB dent's List (a 4.0 GPA) three times B and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. B "Shani is so intelligent," HMQ|B freshman Mandy Quarterman said. "All of her comments are just so far B fup there." Abshier said the realization of Sunday's match being her final home match hasn't hit her yet. "I don't think itH hit me until after the season's over," Abshier said. "I'm totally in denial. I think it'll be real emotional." fDrost Lori Drost's teammates characterize her as having a "dry sense of humor." "She doesn't do anything dumb, but she always makes funny comments," Edlund said. "Her cynical attitude is part of her dry humor," added Donham. "She'll say something off the wall." d Heather Larkin will "And you can't help but laugh," USC history. finished Quarterman. lown successful U "Scoring goals is great and all that, but a bet- to the state ter feeling is having a team that's on the upside of gram, and i things, and last year we weren't on the upside of been able to things. Even though the goals were there, my a pleasure t feelings weren't going to be too positive with the way our season went. I'm much e] more satisfied with the way our season's Jjjripil^fck 01 going this way. Goals are the greatest feel- ^ sj ing in the world, but a better feeling is win- * 7 fa ning out there as a team." T* ^ | ^ "Rnhhip Pail's rnreer Viqq Kapti rvno nf +r ? w ^ , j | "1 ^ steady progress," Head Coach Mark Berson Lgflk J - j said. "I mean, he really stepped forward J g, last year, in a year where we really need- ^?? ed it the most. Not only was it the fact that PAIT he was the leading scorer, but he scored big goals in big games. That was really a huge step ?PP?rtumtn forward in his career. He really took responsibility Pait wi and created some wonderful opportunities and scored cocks, good goals for us last year." "This i Pait was slowed by a hamstring injury this ever been a spring, though, but came back right where he left place that." "This season he's done a IEK1111 Ul| |Tfll great job," Berson said. "He's come in for us and played a major role in nearly every match this fall. He's a threat to score at any moment." Bryan JohnStOfl Gal T"l *i.J 1 ^ ~ ^ rail s auimy is oniy sur- fat sajax 34-10 passed by his attitude. "Robbie is a very genuine and sincere person, and I jhink Achim Hunt Gami that s the main thing that I Bob Barker 32.ig would cite in his personality," Berson said. "He looks out after his teammates and he's ... _ a 1.11 ? n.? /> _j a pleasure to work with be- IMdinau DrOWN Udl cause he is that type of a per- Ray Combs 35-15 son. "He has that quality in him of a humble person, a per- Kelly Magulre Garni 3on that goes out and does his Alex Trabek 30-20 iob, and doesn't expect a lot in return. He's the type of playRosalind Harvey Gal Carolina product and he's come Bob Eubanks ?"" 14, 1997 ie match The 6-foot-one-inch outside hitter has seen her game come on of late as the season has started to wind down. She had a season-high 17 kills against Kentucky Sunday. She has 176 kills on the season. Drost said her senior season is becoming what she wanted it to be. "I think it's ending up to be that way," Drost said. "I'm kind of disappointed because at first we had a lot of team things going on that prevented us from clicking. Now, we're all working hard and realize that this is the end of it and we're 1 trying to make the steps to get into the NCAA Tournament." 1 Last season, Drost was named to the SEC All-Tournament team and was first on the team in total blocks (111). She also had 240 kills and 21 service aces. The Muskegon, Mich., native said she's trying not to think about . Sunday's match, knowing how emo tional it will be. I "It's going to be pretty sad," 1 Drost said. "I haven't thought about i it that much because I don't want to get too upset about it. Hopefully they won't make too big a deal about it until afterwards." Larkin [ Heather Larkin's nickname in Spanish class explains it all: "La Loca," translating to "the crazy one." "She is verv Daranoid about everything," junior Cindy Robarge said. "When we go shopping with her, she'll say Do you think I should , buy this? No, I shouldn't buy this. 1 Do you think I should buy this? Nah.' j She'll ask 20 million people if she should buy it before she buys it. "And then once she buys it, she'll say 'I don't want this anymore, can I 1 take it back?" i Indecisive off the court, Larkin knows exactly what to do on the f court. She recently moved up to No. t 2 on the USC all-time kills list and s is shooting for a three-time spot on the first-team All-SEC squad. ( So far this season, the Lake El- j mo, Minn., native leads the team in kills (321) and total blocks (90). J "Heather is always a person you can look at and she'll just make you laugh," Robarge said. "She has a great personality and I always have 1 a lot of fun with her on and off the t court." j mi p?/? i * ine o-ioowi-incn L.ariun ( said Sunday will be a mixed bag of i emotions. "It'll be weird," Larkin said. "It ? doesn't seem like it should be my , VOLLEYBALL page 8 . fSC career ( university to help us develop our pro- s ve can't ask any more than what he's ? i deliver here in his four years. It's been ^ o work with him." y "I think he's a tremendous play- \ r with the ball, as far as taking players le-on-one, and he's got an unbelievable iot," teammate Clint Mathis said. "As s ir as off the' field, he's pretty much my ? 3st friend. I mean, he's just a great friend c ) have, great sense of humor. "He's just an all-around good \ ay." ? As Pait's career at Carolina is ? inding down, he's looking at several job s es in the marketing field. t ill miss his experience with the Game- j s definitely one of the best teams I've ssociated with," he said. "You can't re- ' 1 1 fjf I tors 'Heels 'Dawg: scocks Tigers Tigers tors 'Heels 'Dawg ecocks 'Heels 'Dawg fnrc 'HppIq t\^wn< kVSIVS f IVWIW L/UI ? y 7 USC set to open with Maryland NATHAN BROWN Asst. Sports Editor With the temperature around 80 degrees, the Gamecocks started off their season last year in the Maui Invitational with a 23-point loss to the Virginia Cavaliers. But today in the cool, brisk weather of Minneapolis Minn., USC will face another ACC opponent to kick off their year. The Gamecocks look to turn up the heat and change roles from loser to winner by making the Maryland Terrapins sweat in the cold temperatures of the North. Head Coach Eddie Fogler sees a couple of advantages in playing Maryland this ear ly in the year. "This game gives us a greater picture earlier in the season of just where this team is," he said. "It is also an advantage as far as this game.helps our strength-of-schedule at the end of the year. Last year, Virginia was a measuring stick for us, as is Maryland this year." The Gamecocks hope to measure up to Maryland better than they did to Virginia. But. Carolina is heading into fhp cramp mi a three-game losing streak that started last year against Georgia and includes Coppin St. and Marathon Oil. Junior guard Bj Mckie says the team has rebounded from the Marathon Oil loss. "We came out flat against Marathon Oil, and we didn't play that well," McKie said. "But ve have regrouped over the past week, and ve are going to be ready to go against Maryland." The Gamecocks will have to be ready since Maryland returns all their players from last year, save one. The Terps also have the 10th?ated backcourt in the nation, according to Dick Vitale's College Preview Magazine. Among die returnees is All-ACC guard Laron Profit md Maiyland's record-holder for the most assists in a game, guard Terrell Stokes. The Maryland backcourt sits opposite )f the Gamecocks' All-SEC backcourt of selior guard Melvin Watson and McKie. McKe is well aware of the capabilities of the two rerp guards. "[Maryland] is very good," he said. "They lave two great guards in Terrell Stokes and l<aron Profit. I know them both, not only in jasketball but on a personal level as well. I jlayed with them at different camps through>ut the vears. and it will be exciting to nlav igainst those guys." Another key position to watch is center, is Gamecock junior center Bud Johnson will lave his hands full with the Terps' 6-foot10-inch, 260-pound center, Obinna Ekezie. With the presence of Ekezie down low, rogler sees Maryland resembling the other op teams of the ACC. "Playing Maryland will be like playing }lemson or Duke this early in the year," Fogler laid. "They are physical inside like those teams ire. Their center, Obinna Ekezie, is probably foing to be the most improved player in the i nn A.\^: J MI i riL. \\jKj mis year anu cerianuy win ue one 01 me >est centers that we face this year." With at least 28 games in the regular seaion to go, Fogler recognizes a win would be jreat, but the season won't be ruined if Car>lina loses. "If we do lose, it is not the end of the world, rnt it will be a good win if we get it," Fogler ;aid. "If we go up there and not play well tnd without enthusiasm and lose, I will be upiet. But if we go and play well and with enhusiasm, then we will be pretty good this mor" The Gamecocks'first test of the year starts it 7:07 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN. Maryland leads the series 31-25. s Huskies Lions ; Bruins Boilermakers s Huskies Lions s Huskies Lions s Bruins Lions