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"Vollevball team heads to SEC tournev No. 20 Lady Gamecocks team to play Lady Volunteers in first game BY BONNIE BERKES THE GAMECOCK After ending the season ranked 20th, the University of South Carolina volleyball team (18-4) en ters the SEC tournament with con fidence. The Lady Gamecocks found that they might soon face the ghosts of their season’s past. Carolina will open the single-elim ination tournament Nov. 16 against the host team, the Lady Volunteers, a team that has al ready beaten USC this season. If the Lady Gamecocks win, they could eventually face Arkansas and Florida, two other teams they lost to this season. If Carolina defeats Tennessee, they will play the winner of the Arkansas-Kentucky match. Lady Gamecocks Cally Plummer, Megan Hosp, Berna Dwyer and Nadia Sefferovich made the All-SEC team. This is the second straight year that USC has placed four players on the All-SEC team. Plummer, a junior right-side hitter, made the All-SEC first team for the third straight year. Plummer is seventh in kills and third in aces in SEC matches. She also leads the team in kills (273) and service aces (40). Hosp, a junior setter, is return ing for her second straight year on the All-SEC team. She leads the team in assists (871) and is second in digs in both SEC (109) and over all (190) matches. Hosp is seventh in the SEC in assists, with 11.61 per game. Dwyer, a junior middle block er, collected All-SEC honors for the third year in a row. She is sec ond on the team in total blocks (29) and is third in kills (109). Sefferovich, a junior outside hitter, leads in kills in SEC match es with 152. She is also third on the team in digs in overall matches (181) and third in SEC matches (98). The Lady Volunteers (15-10) went 1-1 against the Lady Gamecocks this season, defeating Carolina in Knoxville, before drop ping their match in Columbia. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. Friday. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecocksports@hotmail.com. Tigers Gamecocks pull out last-minute win CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 Rod Trafford for the touchdown. USC fans can smell victory, but special guest kicker Joey Worthen shanks the extra point wide left and sprains his ankle in the process. Score: USC 32, CU 27 0:47 On third-and-10 from its own 35-yard line, Clemson lines up with four wide. In an attempt to pull off a miracle for the second year in a row, Dantzler drops back ^and launches a Hail Mary pass to the- corner of the end zone. Carolina fans fall silent with a sickening sense of Deja vu. While Zaichery distracts the nearest offi cial with a ball of yarn, Hamilton and McKelvey gang-tackle USC safety Andre Goodman, leaving Airese Curry wide open to catch the touchdown pass and give the Tigers the lead. An outraged Lou Holtz attempts to protest the un believable no-call, but he is even tually restrained by four assistant coaches. Score USC 32, CU 33 0:38 On a two-point conversion try, Dantzler takes the snap, runs to his right, and tries to turn around the end. He dives for the corner, only to be met at the one W by Rotary Lombardi Award semi finalist Kalimba Edwards, who had hobbled onto the field for one play despite a sprained knee. Edwards spears Dantzler just short of breaking the plane of the end zone and plants him at the six, leaving a Woody-shaped crater in the turf. Gamecock radio an nouncer Charlie McAlexander, in awe of Edwards’ fortitude, can only utter, “I don’t believe what I just saw.” 0:05 A desperation pass by Dondrial Pinkins brings the Gamecocks to the Clemson 38-yard line. Dpring a timeout, a very fo cused Dan Weaver approaches Holtz and says simply, “I can do it, coach.” Intrigued by the kicker’s confidence, Holtz sends Weaver out for the 55-yard field goal at tempt to the utter dismay of every one watching. The crowd is silent as it watches Weaver drill a mon strous line drive that hooks inside the uprights and just clears the crossbar. The exuberant crowd storms the field in celebration as the players carry Weaver off on their shoulders. Holtz, just a little curious, asks him if he had re ceived some sort of pep talk just prior to the kick. Weaver smiles and casts an appreciative glance in the direction of-holder Erik Kimrey, but says nothing. FINAL SCORE: USC 35, CLEMSON 33 Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocksports@hotmail.com. Football Advantage goes to USC on defense CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 Andre Goodman and Sheldon Brown each show good coverage on their corners, while spur safeties Willie Offord and Rashad Faison have been dominant cov ering their sides as well. The sec ondary is where USC’s defensive _ strength lies. W ADVANTAGE: USC Special Teams: RETURNING: Clemson’s return team is often responsible for giv ing the Tiger offense great field po sition. Brian Mance is averaging 24.5 yards on kickoff returns as well as 12 yards on punt returns. Hamilton has been exceptional on returning kickoffs, with an aver age of 34.4 per game and one touch down. Derek Watson and Ryan Brewer deal with kickoffs for Carolina. Watson is averaging 30.6 yards per kickoff return. Brewer takes most of the punting chores, with an average return of 4.5 yards. m ADVANTAGE: EVEN KICKING: Sophomore Aaron Hunt is probably best remem bered by USC because of his game winning field goal last season against the Gamecocks. This sea son, Hunt is 8-for-10 on field goals this year. The Tigers have a con sistent punter in Wynn Kopp, who averages 39.7 yards per punt. Carolina’s Tyeler Dean has gotten back on his coach’s good side af ter seeing plenty of punting op portunities last week. Dean is av eraging 41.7 yards per punt. Daniel Weaver has given the Gamecocks someone to rely on for field goals, as he has made 10 of 14 this season. Both teams have had solid kicking games this year. ADVANTAGE: EVEN In this rivalry, national ranking never shows much precedence. Two seasons ago when the Gamecocks did not win a game all season, they still scored a season high three touchdowns against Clemson. Nonetheless, the Gamecocks will be looking for re demption this week after an em barrassing 54-17 rout by the Gators. USC 31, CLEMSON 17 Comments on this story?E-mail gamecocksports@hotmail.com. PRESEASON BASKETBALL Jamel Bradley pressures a BC Albacomp player during Wednesday night's exhibition game at the Coliseum. USC defeated BC Albacomp and the women’s team put Remus Austria away. For more, check out dailygamecock.com. photo by robert gruen Baines More of college’s best rivalries CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 bly even national title implica tions. Needless to say, if you are a Wolverine fan in Michigan, you don’t hate Michigan State nearly as much as the Buckeyes. And if you’re a Buckeye fan in Michigan, then you’re likely to get some ugly looks. Think this game doesn’t mean much? Ask ousted OSU coach John Cooper. Continuous losses to Michigan cost him his job after last year’s Outback Bowl. 6. FLORIDA VS. FLORIDA ST. Just 15 years ago this game wasn’t nationally recognized as a major rivalry. But both pro grams’ success during the past 10+ years has made it a marquee matchup at the end of every sea son. This is also a great contest to watch because it features what will probably be the most future NFL players in any one game. 7. TEXAS VS. OKLAHOMA The “Red River Rivalry” takes place annually at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas and is equidistant from both campuses. There is no better sight than a stadium split down the middle — half burnt or ange and half crimson and cream. This game is generally the first huge rivalry to take place during the season. 8. WASHINGTON ST. VS. WASHINGTON The annual battle is for the Apple Trophy. After each win ner is decided, the governor of the state or his representative will hand the trophy to the win ning team. The rivalry is a lot like some of the above rivalries: Washington plays in a big city (Seattle), while WSU plays in a small town (Pullman). This year’s game should be even big ger than usual, with both teams being ranked in the top 20. 9. OLE MISS VS. MISSISSIPPI ST. All I can say is that these two hate each other with a passion. The winner of the “Egg Bowl” re ceives the Golden Egg after the game. The game has no real con nection to an egg, but it makes for some type of trophy. As usu al, this year’s game will kick off on Thanksgiving weekend. 10. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VS. NOTRE DAME This is the biggest intersection al rivalry in the country and is the only one played every year. You might mistake these teams for play ing in the 1970s with the old-fash ioned uniforms they wear, but the hate and respect is deep. The rivalry has lost its luster over the past sev eral years as the teams have become less successful, but any fan of either team will tell you that this is the im portant game, even with the Trojans and UCLA being in the same city. UIk JR Jin ^JHMMHL m fll J JhAE? Jmm m^ ^mtKtKKmmSmm Gamecock Sports Challenge .EMSONAT 22 USC 14 SYR AT 1 MIAMI 21 FSUAT 4 FLA 20 UCLA AT SCAL 9WSUAT 16 WASH 23 UGA AT MISS 18 VA TECH J VIRGINIA Sports Editor (37-25) Asst .Sports Editor (35-27) Senior Writer (42-20) Defending Champion (37-25) A ... . University Editor Guest (33-29) Reader of the week (37-25) Men’s soccer team wraps up season BY KYLE ALMOND THE GAMECOCK The USC men’s soccer team finishes the regular season Saturday night when it takes on the Florida International Golden Panthers in Miami. The No. 19 Gamecocks (11-4 2) should already be a lock to make the NCAA Tournament, but a win against the Golden Panthers on Saturday might help USC’s chances of receiving home-field advantage in the first two rounds. “I think it’s absolutely cru cial,” USC head coach Mark Berson said of the upcoming game. “I think that we need to win in Miami to give us the best chance to host a game in the NCAA Tournament. There are no guarantees, win or lose, but certainly a win there improves our chances.” The Gamecocks will find out their destiny Monday, when the tournament brackets are re leased. First- and second-round games will be played Nov. 23 and 25. If Carolina is chosen as a host, it will be for both rounds, regardless of if USC makes it to the second round. Carolina played host to a first-round game last season but was defeated by Duke, 1-0, in cold, rainy conditions. A penalty kick by Duke’s Ali Curtis ended USC’s season. Before the NCAAs, however, USC must stay focused on Saturday’s game. The Golden Panthers (10-6) have won seven of their last eight games and are usually one of the South’s most formidable teams. Florida International also advanced to the MCAA title game in 1996. “FIU is a team that is often overlooked becabse they’re way down in Miami, but they’re a real solid team,” Berson said. Junior forward Matias Asorey leads the FIU offense, with a team-high five goals and three assists on the season. His partner up top, junior Rafael Reyes, has three game-winning goals. The Golden Panthers have proven to be especially tough at home, winning eight and losing only two. However, they’ll be facing a Gamecock team that doesn’t give up goals easily. USC has allowed only 15 goals in 17 matches this season, rank ing it 20th in the nation in goals-. against-average (0.82). With ju nior goalkeeper Michael Bachmeyer and a back line led by senior Ryan Stocking, the Gamecocks make it tough on op posing forwards. Carolina and Florida International will clash at 7 p.m. It is also the last game of the reg ular season for the Golden Panthers. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecocksports@hotmail.com. Men defeat Florida Gators at swim meet BY KATIE SCHMIDT THE GAMECOCK USC played host to the Florida Gators in the pool as well as on the field Saturday. Although the Gamecocks in hel mets were not successful, the ones in the rubber caps were a different story. After starting the season with wins over College of Charleston and N.C. State, the Gamecocks went into this meet with confi dence. While only the men suc ceeded in defeating the Gators, the Lady Gamecocks had a strong showing. Sitting on the sidelines was sophomore redshirt transfer div er Lauren King, who predicted that the meet would be the Gamecocks’ first big challenge. “Both teams placed in the top ten [nationally] last year, so it’s going to be a great competition.” King said. Starting with the men’s indi vidual swimming events, USC’s Istvan Bathazi won first place for his 1000-meter freestyle (9:53.06) and his 200-meter indi vidual medley (1:50.55). The dy namic threesome of Tamas Szucs (1:37.76), Maciek Kajak (1:39.92), and Javier Botello (1:40.09) went for first, second and third in thfe 200-meter fraochtlo olcn ninlroH nn o first-place finish in the 500-me ter freestyle (4:30.96), with Kajak again finishing just behind (4:33.49). Zsolt Gaspar was also suc cessful, picking up first-place victories in the 50-meter freestyle (20.13) and the 200-me ter fly (1:48.39). Finally, sophomore Chris McCrary won the 100-meter freestyle with a time of 45.53. McCrary also had a second-place finish in the 50-meter freestyle, finishing less than a second be hind Gaspar. “It was the fastest time I have ever swam in [the 100 freestyle],” McCrary said. “I was excited. It came down to the last 25 meters, and I was not going to let anyone beat me. Zsolt was not competing in this race, so I had to win it.” Overall, the Carolina men de feated the Florida Gators 129-114. The last time the Gamecocks had a victory over the Gators was back in 1994. The Lady Gamecock swim mers put up a valiant effort in their competition against the Gators. They came up short handed, falling 139-104, but the team had its share of great per formances. With a first place finish in the 50-meter freestyle, USC sopho more Anna Nyiry (23.63) set the pace early. Nyiry also finished second in the 200-meter butter fly Freshman Capi Adams took the victory in the 200 individual medley (2:06.73). Freshman Heather Skaggs continued her successful intercollegiate start, despite having an injured quadricep muscle, with a victo ry in the 100 freestyle (51.15) and a third-place finish -in the 50 freestyle (23.88). The 400-yard freestyle relay foursome of Skaggs, Nyiry, Jennifer Van Assen and Carolynn McHugh also had a great win with a time of3:28.30. Adding points with some strong second-place finishes were sophomore Bronwyn Dedekind in the 500 freestyle (5:00.10) and junior Kristen Butler in the 200-meter back stroke (2:05.30). On the other side of the nata torium, the Gamecock divers did their fair share of contribut ing to the winning efforts. Coach Todd Sherrit seemed happy with •his divers performances, but he indicated that not all of his ex pectations were met. “Overall, they did a great job. I feel that they could improve their depth a little bit.” Sherrit said. Senior Brandon Hulko was successful in the 1-meter spring board event, placing first. He placed second in the 3-meter event and was just 20 points be hind first. “Brandon did a nice job in the 1-meter event. He could have done a lot better in the 3-meter, however.” Sherrit said of Hulko’s performance. Diving for the Gamecock women were sophomore Holly Hodges and freshmen Tamra Baker, Allison Brennan and Tracey Richardson. Hodges took the first place victories for both the 1- and 3 meter springboards. “It’s always nice to win, but I still have to fix some things in my dives in order to dominate next time,” Hodges said. Richardson also picked up ^ third-place finish in the 1-meter event. The Gamecocks will play host to rival Clemson tonight at 5 p.m. in the Blatt Natatorium. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocksports@hotmail.com. ♦ V