The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, September 29, 1999, Page 11, Image 11
j.jhi /-Ni USC Schedule
■ Women’s soccer vs. Furman, 7 p.m. Thursday
■ Men’s soccer vs. Rutgers, Friday, Piscataway, N.J.
Volleyball loses Plummer for year
by David Cloninger
Assistant Sports Editor
The South
Carolina
volleyball
team re
ceived dev
astating
news this
week when
All-South
PLUMMER_ eastern
Conference
performer Cally Plummer was lost for the
season with a shoulder injury.
The sophomore from Cheboygan,
Mich., sat out USC’s first seven match
es this season because of a shoulder in
jury. She returned to the team in time for
the match against Michigan on Sept. 17,
but aggravated the injury again and was
lost for the season.
Plummer has a sutgery date set for
later in the fall and is planning to redshirt
the 1999 season, giving her an extra
year of athletic eligibility.
Plummer, who was named co-captain
for the 1999 season as a sophomore, took
the nation and conference by storm last
season with her signature jump serve and
physical play.
She was named first-team All-SEC as
a freshman, the only freshman on the team.
She might have also garnered Freshman
of the Year honors, but the SEC decided
to do away with the award last year.
Plummer led the nation in service
aces for most of the 1998 season, and ul
timately finished second with 86 overall.
She was instrumental in helping the Game
cocks begin their 1998 season with a
14-1 record and ultimately finish 21-11.
USC finished tied for second place in
the SEC Eastern division that season,
advancing to the NCAA tournament for
the third time in the past four years.
Although the team lost in the first
round, hopes for the 1999 season were
high with a talented group of veterans re
turning and a strong recruiting class com
ing in.
Although Plummer won’t return to
the team this season, the team has played
well in her absence.
USC won matches against defend
ing Atlantic Coast Conference champion
Florida State and conference foes Ken
tucky and Tennessee this season and stayed
close before falling in five games Tuesday
night against nationally ranked Clemson.
Gamecocks peak early, fall at Clemson
Volleyball Roundup
Gamecock Sports
After easily winning the first
game, the USC volleyball team was
worn down by No. 13 Clemson on
Tltesday night, 3-2.
With the win, the Tigers improve
to 13-0 on the season. The Gamecocks
drop to 8-5.
The match scores were: 4-16,15
9,15-8,10-15,15-11.
Senior Crystal Moore led the
Gamecocks with 19 kills in the match.
Senior Danika "Iky lor also flourished,
hitting .481 with eight block assists
and five digs.
The Gamecocks might have taken
solace in holding Clemson’s Cindy
Stem, who went into the game leading
the nation in hitting percentage, to a
.267 percentage in the match.
Prankster Abraham a real hoot
for opposing quarterbacks
by Bryan Della Volpe
Staff Writer
John Abraham lay motionless on the ground
A shock went down the defensive end’s
neck and spine, paralyzing the rest of his
body. His first thoughts were of whether he could
play the rest of the game. Then, as he began to
realize what was happening, thoughts of never
playing again, or never walking or even living a
normal of life began to fill his head.
Luckily for Abraham and
uamecocK ians, uiai necr. injury
against Kentucky in 1998 had
no long-term effects. No. 95 is
now fully recovered and once
again ready to strike fear into the
hearts of opposing quarterbacks.
Before this football season, he
was looking to make 1999, his
senior year, the fourth in a row
he has led USC in sacks.
But this is a goal he calls
"miniature.”
“My big goal is to win as
many games as possible this year,"
he said.
The self-proclaimed practi
cal jokester of the team, Abra
ham likes to stay relaxed before
games by kidding around with
teammates.
"I joke around before the
game to keep myself relaxed,
but around 10 minutes before
the game, I start to get serious,”
he said.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound
Abraham said he’s ready to get
serious and contribute more to
the team on the field this year as
well.
“I think I’ve been a little too
individually minded the past two
i r r* rr -_T
haven’t been playing too well,” he said
If Abraham can improved on the two sea
sons that he believes weren’t up to par, he should
be a strong candidate for the All-Southeastern
Conference team. As a true freshman in 19%,
he saw action in all 11 games and recorded four
sacks.
“I was surprised to be playing as a fresh
man,” he said, “but there were a lot of injuries
so I had to step up and play.” That freshman year
included one game that particularly stuck out
in his memory.
“My most memorable game was when we
played Clemson,” he said. “That was the only
time we’ve beaten Clemson since I’ve been
here.”
Abraham only improved his sophomore
year. As a regular starter in 1997, he led the team
in sacks, with 61-2, quarterback pressures, with
14, and tackles behind the line of scrimmage,
with 11 1-2.
Abraham’s junior campaign in 1998 was by
no means a disappointment. Once again, he
led the team in three major defensive categories.
He also recorded a career high in sacks, with
seven, and led the Gamecocks in tackles for a
loss (5) and quarterback hurries (13). He even
established a new career high in tackles, with
61,28 of which were solo hits.
This guy accomplished all that despite play
ing only one year of oiganized football before
coming to Carolina. His first experience play
ing football wasn’t until his senior year at tiny
Lamar High School in Lamar, S.C.
“My graduating class had, like, 63 people
in it and we only hpd 23 on the football team,”
he said. A two-sport athlete back then, Abraham
always wanted to move on to the next level.
“I wanted to be a college athlete, whether
it was football or basketball,” the former bas
IzotKoll nrm/or fnnuorrl coirl
Now that he’s moved on to
the college ranks, Abraham is
definitely making a name for
himself. The Sporting News rat
ed him the seventh best defen
sive end in the nation before this
season. He didn’t think too much
of that, though.
“If I had played better, then
I should have been ranked high
er,” he said. “I’m striving to be
better this year.”
As a senior, Abraham is
hoping to graduate in May with
a degree in African-American
studies. What does he plan to
take with him when he leaves?
“I’ll take a lot of friendships
with my teammates, coaches,
people I’ve met and hopefully
when I graduate, a diploma,” he
said.
He also has some goals for
after the season. With his size,
Abraham is a needed com
modity in the NFL. Being able
to run a 40-yard dash in around
4.5 seconds helps his chances,
too, and that high rating among
defensive ends probably assures
him of being drafted in 2000.
But Abraham isn’t taking anv
thing for granted
“I’m hoping to be drafted” he said “but if
I don’t, hopefully I could go back home and
teach or maybe coach.”
For some reason, it’s doubtful Lamar High
will keep that job open for him. The people over
at the NFL just might have a position avail
able, though.
Special to The Gamecock
Coach Lou Holtz, left, presents the Joe Morrison Memorial Award
given to USC’s top players in spring practice, to John Abraham.
Holtz says
team must
move on
by Michael Haney
Staff Writer
After last Saturday’s 17-0 defeat at the hands of Missis
sippi State, South Carolina’s football team was left to wonder
when this season’s never-ending nightmare would stop.
Carolina has lost -
its past 14 games, ‘There is no reason we
giving it the dubious couldn’t play with any team in
distinction of the na- the country if we could just
tion’s longest losing overcome a few errors.’
streak. Coach Lou
Holtz shook off i ico.
, USC football coach
questions about the
latest USC record
Monday.
“What can you say? It’s our turn, we’re it. We’ve just got
to move on, “ Holtz said.
Despite his team’s 04 start this season, Holtz remained up
beat.
i ms would ne realty nara on me u 1 aian i see some ongra
ness in our team,” he said. “Once we get over the hump and
gain some confidence and build on it, we’ll be fine.
“The most encouraging thing is the way we’ve gotten bet
ter and closer, and really caring each about each other more
now than ever before,” Holtz said.
The hump that Holtz speaks of is a total offense that ranks
101st in the nation and a scoring offense that ranks dead last.
The Gamecocks are averaging a mere three points per game.
This Saturday’s game will test the inexperience of the Car
olina offense. To begin, freshman Mikal Goodman will fill the
shoes of the injured Phil Petty at quarterback. Petty injured his
knee against Mississippi State, and Goodman played the better
part of the last quarter and a half of the game.
“Goodman showed a great presence in there, he really
did some good things,” Holtz said.
With the addition of Goodman, USC will start two fresh
men and one sophomore in the backfield. Derek Witson will
get the call at tailback, and Antione Nesmith gets the nod at
fullback.
The Gamecock defense has performed nearly the opposite
of the offense. The defensive unit, headed by coordinator Char
lie Strong, is ranked 12th in the nation.
“I don’t think there is anyone in the country right now play
ing better than Corey Atkins or John Abraham,” Holtz said.
The Slate (late games not included)
National League
Eastern Division W L Pet GB L10 Str
x-Atlanta 99 57 .635 - 8-2 W-7
New York 92 64 .590 7 3-7 L-6
Philadelphia 74 82 .474 25 5-5 W-3
Montreal 65 92 .414 34.5 3-7 W-l
Florida 62 95 .395 37.5 4-6 L-2
Central Division
Houston 94 63 .599 - 3-7 L-2
Cincinnati 94 63 .599 - 7-3 L-3
Pittsburgh 76 79 .490 17 5-5 W-l
St. Louis 72 84 .462 21.5 4-6 L-5
Milwaukee 71 84 .458 22 2-8 L-l
Chicago 64 92 .410 29.5 6-4 L-l
West Division
x-Arizona 96 60 -.615 - 8-2 W-6
San Francisco 83' 73 .532 13 2-8 L-4
Los Angeles 74 82 .474 22 7-3 W-l
San Diego 73 83 .468 19 5-5 L-l
Colorado 70 87 .446 26.5 4-6 L-l
x-clinched division title
Note: Houston/Cincinnati are 1 1-2 games ahead of New
York in the wild-card race.
American League
Eastern Division W L Pet GB L10 Str
New York 94 62 .603 - 6-4 L-3
Boston 90 66 .577 4 6-4 W-l
Toronto 79 77 .506 15 2-8 L-3
Baltimore 77 79 .452 17 7-3 L-l
Tampa Bay 68 89 .445 21 5-5 W-3
Central Division
x-Cleveland 95 61 .609 - 6-4 W-3
Chicago 71 85 .455 24 6-4 W-3
Detroit 65 91 .389 30 5-5 W-3
Kansas City 63 92 .406 32 3-7 L-l
Minnesota 62 95 .395 24.5 4-6 L-l
West Division
x-Texas 93 63 .596 - 6-4 W-4
Oakland 84 72 .538 9 5-5 L-4
Seattle 77 63 .506 16 5-5 L-l
Anaheim 65 91 .417 28 4-6 L-l
x-clinched division title
Note: Boston is six games ahead of Oakland in the wild-card
race* >
Tuesday’s Top News
• Los Angeles Dodgers
fire Bob Graziano as
President/CEO
• Dolphins’ Dimitrious
Underwood out for
season after sustaining
self-inflicted stab
wounds to the neck
• Europeans threaten to
skip future Ryder Cups
on U.S. soil because of
Americans’ poor
sportsmanship
• Mariners chairman
puts new deal for Ken
Griffey Jr. and Alex
Rodriguez bn the table
David Cloninger
Who Else?
USC fans
at fault,
not team
'-j- was talking to a friend of mine
I during my hiatus from column
-Lwriting, and we started to discuss
the fortunes of USC’s football team.
We have a habit of doing this when
we have nothing better to accom
plish, like earning money to feed
ourselves or scheming how to reduce
Howard’s Rock at Clem Tech Col
lege to a smoking hole in the ground.
During this discussion, I realized
that the problem lies not in the
teams we play, not in the athletics
department, not even in the fact that
we can’t seem to complete a pass.
No, the problem lies in us, the
fans.
That’s right, we are to blame for
USC’s gridiron woes. I figure I
might as well come forth with this
knowledge, since nobody else
around here will.
I admit, I did think, which Car
olina fans should never, ever do, that
the Gamecocks would finally be
pulled out of the deep hole they
were in after 1998’s 1-10 season.
With the acquisition of Lou Holtz
and the departure of Anthony “The
Accused” Wright, I figured we were
well on our way to the mythical land
ofTitletown.
That’s what started the ball
rolling: high expectations. I can’t re
call a year where I didn’t start the
season with high expectations.
Every year, I think, “There’s no
way we’ll go any less than 8-3,74 at
the worst.” Every year, my dreams
of finally being right when I say,
“We’re No. 1!” come crashing down
like the Hindenbuig and the Titanic
rolled into one. The only finger I
can raise to the sky is the one that is
typically reserved for road rage.
I am not without proof for these
accusations, however. It all started
Dec. 4,1999, the day that will live
in infamy, not only because it began
Loti’s tenure as head coach, but be
cause it also signaled the end of Car
olina football as we know it.
It was on that day that a certain
person who holds a very high posi
tion at USC and whose name bears a
strong resemblance to a South Car
olina state symbol, said the phrase
that plunged USC into the deepest
depths of football impotence.
“Goodbye, chicken curse, hello
Lou Holtz!”
So much for that winning season.
It wasn’t just this person who
said an inspiring phrase, oh no. Holtz
got into the act, too, with his famous
“My goal is to win the national
championship” statement.
Don’t you know this gives fans a
false sense of hope? Don’t you real
ize this automatically sets us up for a
downfall? Think of the other coach
es who said something like that. Joe
Morrison - dead. Paul Dietzel -
scandal. Brad Scott - at Clemson.
These high expectations and
eventual pitfalls have manifested
themselves on the field, too. Look
at all our injuries this year. When I
walk through the Coliseum every
day on my way to class, I see several
of these players. I’m reminded of
the third day of Gettysbuig quite fre
quently.
Come on, people, how often
does a guy get kicked in the spleen?
Holtz said he’d never seen it before,
and if you can’t believe him, who
can you believe? Coincidentally,
comerback Arturo Freeman has ap
peared as an “All-American Candi
date” for the past two years on the
football pocket schedules. For the
last two years, he’s received exten
sive injuries in practice.
Also, our supposed savior, Phil
“The Thrill” Petty looked like a
kindergartner in his first three games.
He finally starts to play as if he wants
to win against Mississippi State, and
what happens? He sprains his knee,
giving us an untested freshman for a
quarterback.
There is a solution to this prob
lem. Stop thinking we’re going to
win. Go into every game knowing
we’re going to get our butts handed