Sports
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Fliegner highlights Michigan performance in Wolverine Invitational against Notre Dame against a girl who’s going to play For The Daily high for them. We didn’t see her much last year After two shortened because of COVID, but she seasons, the Michigan was very impressive. Really women’s tennis team was everybody was, I was proud finally able to make their of the whole group and how long awaited return to a full they competed.” Fliegner would finish 7-0, slate of matches this fall with the Wolverine Invitational as but her final match was the most difficult of the weekend. their third event of the year. The Wolverines hosted Notre Dame’s Page Freeman Michigan State, Ohio State, jumped out to a two game Notre Dame, Arizona State lead to start the match, and Western Michigan at including a break in the first the three-day meet this past game. Fliegner broke back to weekend. The Wolverines make it 3-3, but later had her had a positive overall record back against the wall with Freeman serving with a 5-4 lead. After a crucial break and hold from Fliegner, Freeman was down 6-5 and had to win her serve to force a seven point set tiebreak. However, at 30-40, she double-faulted to lose the set 7-5. The second set was also back and forth, GRACE BEAL/Daily but Fliegner never In their final non-scoring tune-up, the Michigan gave up the lead women’s tennis team won the Michigan Invitational. and cleaned up the for the event with a total of match to win, 7-5, 6-3. The invitational was 17 wins and nine losses. The event didn’t count for team capped off with a gritty three points but remains important set win from junior Nicole to see how each of the players Hammond against Arizona stand before the ITA All- State’s Cali Jankowski. After American Championships a 6-1 first set loss, Hammond next week. Potential doubles commanded the rest of the teams had an opportunity match and never again gave to build chemistry in a up the lead in either of the competitive environment final two sets. The 1-6, 6-2, and the players received one 6-3, Wolverine win ended the event with a statement of their first big tests. The team started with a comeback. Although the Wolverine strong first day, going 5-1 in Invitational was nondoubles and 4-1 in singles. “We brought competitive scoring, Michigan now has teams in here and I feel like momentum that it will look we got a high level of play,” to carry forward into the Michigan coach Ronni rest of the season. Five of Bernstein said. “They’ve the Wolverine’s top players been practicing hard, and it will travel to South Carolina next week and compete in showed that first day”. Michigan’s biggest the Michigan’s first scoring bright spot was undefeated event of the season. “I’m going to use this freshman Julia Fliegner who finished the weekend with a event as a confidence point,” 4-0 singles and 3-0 doubles Fliegner said. “When I’m in tough points in next week’s record. “She had an unbelievable tournament I’m definitely weekend,” Bernstein said. going to think back to here “It was a great match and how I played.” JOSEPH ZAIN RODGER
Wednesday, October 6, 2021 — 9
Increased speed evident in Michigan’s first game Hughes to make the most of his ice time. Daily Sports Writer The same rang true for senior forward Jimmy Lambert, whose speed looked deadly in the bottom six. Legendary hockey coach Herb Lambert, Hughes and junior forward Brooks used to yell “legs feed the wolf” Eric Ciccolini swarmed Rose as the at his 1980 Olympic team. first period waned. With a little over In 2020, the Michigan hockey 50 seconds on the clock, all three team’s roster featured skill on both crashed the net as Bowling Green’s ends of the ice. But still, its legs couldn’t defenders could only watch. Before deliver a feast every night against faster they could even poke opponents like Minnesota their sticks at the loose and Wisconsin. puck, the red light cast a If last Saturday’s 7-1 glowing aura on the goal. exhibition win over The Wolverines’ speed Bowling Green is any won again. indication, though, the Speed in the bottom Wolverines could be a few six could be an X-factor strides ahead this season. against tough opponents. From the early minutes As Michigan’s stars draw of the game, speed the undivided attention dominated Michigan’s of opposing defensemen, game plan. When speed like Lambert’s sophomore forward can bring advantages Matty Beniers found against worn-out sophomore forward Kent players. That difference Johnson alone at center could lead to secondary ice, Johnson used his legs scoring in close contests, to widen the gap between something that didn’t himself and the Falcons often happen in intense defenders. That gave games last year. him plenty of time to fool While there’s no Bowling Green goaltender guarantee that this speed Zach Rose as a quick flick will stack up against of his stick deposited the teams like Duluth or first goal of the season. The same legwork ALLISON ENGVIST/Daily Minnesota — teams full of talent and conditioned that led to the goal also Jimmy Lambert added speed to Michigan’s roster this weekend in it’s exhibition matchup against Bowling Green. to a T — the increase in extended many of the Wolverines’ scoring threats. As hard split second during the first period, defensemen playing that far up would speed could bode well for forcing the shots ricocheted off Rose, the puck Michigan set up a 1-3-1 power play. get burned. But Hughes’s confidence pace of play down the line. With as skittered toward the boards where the Bowling Green couldn’t account for in his skating ability proved effective much talent as this roster boasts, the Falcons’ defensemen had a chance to the ensuing flurry of quick passes, and as he chased down anyone that Wolverines can turn that speed into slipped by him with ease. That kind of additional goals. dump it out. Michigan’s speed often Brisson skated away with a goal. If Michigan can keep up its speed, The Wolverines’ transition game confidence — a trait Michigan coach won out in the ensuing footraces and, combined with their physical relied on its speed advantage. Quick Mel Pearson said reminded him of the wolf will be eating more often than strides down the wings opened up his brother Quinn Hughes — allows not. presence, it generated plenty of shots. CONNOR EAREGOOD
“Every team is going to be prescouting our skill,” sophomore forward Brendan Brisson said on Friday after the game. “But it’s about playing hard in the hard areas, getting pucks deep when we have to and getting pucks back quicker so we can use our skill in the right moments.” On Saturday, the Wolverines executed those offensive moves faster than they did last season. In a
clean odd-man rushes and lagging defenders couldn’t break up the zone entries that led to long offensive setups. Michigan controlled the pace of play all game by using that speed, unlike last season. Freshman defenseman Luke Hughes played a prominent role in that, lurking closer to the top of the faceoff circle even when the Falcons threatened a breakout. Many
Michigan men’s soccer completes comeback for 2-1 OT victory MARK PATRICK
Daily Sports Writer
The game was in a deadlock, neither team converting their chances. That is, until 21 minutes into the second half, when Michigan men’s soccer team junior defender Brennan Callow got called for a tripping foul, setting up an Indiana penalty kick. Forward Victor Bezerra buried the shot to make it a 1-0 game. The Wolverines (5-4-1 overall, 2-1-0 Big Ten) played the Hoosiers (5-3-1, 2-2-0) in Bloomington, Ind., on Friday night. Looking for their second straight Big Ten victory, they found themselves trailing late in the second half. But following a game-saving goal in the 81st minute, Michigan forced it into overtime, where senior forward Derick Broche
would score to win the game, 2-1. The first half of the game was controlled by Indiana, which connected on deep passes to set up scoring opportunities and allowed its forwards to create traffic in front of the Wolverines’ net. “They kind of worked our goalkeepers and we did not do that from our standpoint,” Michigan head coach Chaka Daley said. Despite their abundance of chances, the Hoosiers couldn’t capitalize on any of them. Wolverines freshman goaltender Hayden Evans was up to the challenge, making three first-half saves. With almost a minute left in the first half, Indiana defender Daniel Munie worked his way to the front of the net for a clean shot. Evans, however, made a huge stop in front of the net to keep the game scoreless
heading into halftime. Michigan wished to have more scoring chances in the first half. Instead, it was rewarded with stellar play from their goaltender. Every time the Hoosiers made a shot on net, Evans came up with the save, finishing the game with seven total saves. Nine minutes into the second half, Indiana moved the ball down the field to find forward Maouloune Goumballe wide open for an almost certain goal on the right side of the net. But at the last second, Evans deflected the ball out of bounds with the fingertips of his gloves. “Evans was strong and solid,” Daley said. “He gave us a chance when it was 0-0.” Following Callow’s goal, it appeared as if the Hoosiers were going to walk away victorious. The momentum was heavily on their
side, with the home crowd also providing energy. But Michigan did not fold. After booting the ball deep into Indiana’s defensive third, junior forward Evan Rasmussen scored a critical goal to tie the game. “We caused them some problems,” Daley said. “It was not a comfortable afternoon for their guys in the back.” The momentum carried into overtime as the Wolverines were able to get the ball into the Hoosiers’ zone. Rasmussen sent a corner kick into the box, which found the head of senior defender Declan Gaffney. Gaffney sent the ball to Broche, who knocked in the overtime winner, their first shot of overtime. “We asked a lot of questions, we asked more questions than they could answer,” Daley said. “That was ultimately the difference in the end.”
Through drop-in adaptive sports, UM ASAF bridges gap in community GRAYSON BUNING
Daily Sports Writer
For years, Eddie Elinburg was the go-to guy. “If you called me at three in the morning, I’d be there to change your tire,” Elinburg said. “People counted on me.” But since losing both of his legs in a hit-and-run vehicle accident in 2011, things have been different for Elinburg. “Now, I have to go to others for help,” Elinburg said. “I just wasn’t used to that. There were some pretty hard times.” Through sports, however, Elinburg was able to begin restoring balance to his life. Individual sports like pool, darts and horseshoes came first. Once he had mastered those, Elinburg began to seek out other adaptive sports, hoping to challenge himself and boost his fitness. Unfortunately, these opportunities were few and far between. Despite his motivation, Elinburg struggled to find any adaptive sports programs in Canton, Mich., where he lives. At one point, Elinburg frequently took days off work and to make the hourlong trip to Lansing, just to take part in a few hours of adaptive sports programming at Michigan State. This summer, Michigan’s Adaptive Sports and Fitness (ASAF) program began hosting biweekly wheelchair basketball and tennis drop-in sessions open to Michigan staff, faculty, and students, as well as all members of the community. Through this programming, a full 10 years after his injury, Elinburg finally gained the reliable, local access to competitive adaptive sports programming he had
While providing a space for of charge while also providing sport that’s where I feel the most value so desired. individuals to participate in adaptive wheelchairs and other equipment to “When (they) reached out, my comes.” For Michigan ASAF Assistant sport is an important step toward all who need it. head lit up like a Christmas tree,” “Even if it was free to play but you Elinburg said. “I don’t know who sent Director Erik Robeznieks, experiences Robeznieks’s goal, it’s not enough the email, but I want to thank them like Elinburg’s and Stark’s are precisely on its own to ensure that individuals had to bring your own equipment, I think the numbers would drop for that, because that’s what’s keeping why hosting consistent drop-in who want to play can do so. For example, sport wheelchairs significantly,” Stark said. “I couldn’t programming has been such an me happy.” are shockingly expensive. This play. I don’t own a sports chair. Even Elinburg attended wheelchair important goal for the program. for those in the disability basketball practices community who do have jobs, consistently throughout the you have to spend so much of summer, improving markedly your money on medical care as a player with the help of and things like that — it makes a veteran player-coaches Alex world of difference to be able to Saleh and Spencer Heslop. In play for free.” fact, despite only having begun Echoed Elinburg: “Right playing wheelchair basketball now, if this wasn’t free, the recently, Elinburg will suit up activity I’d be doing is probably for Michigan this fall as part of nothing.” the program’s first ever NWBA The obstacles to providing team. equitable access to sports and While Elinburg’s story is fitness don’t stop with finances. rounded out by a happy ending, Many without disabilities simply his struggle to find adaptive lack an understanding of why sports and fitness opportunities providing adaptive sports is such is unfortunately common a vital part of any community, among individuals with leading to a lack of motivation disabilities. among organizations and “I was injured just over five institutions to really do anything years ago and I’ve been trying about the problem. To that end, to scope out adaptive sports the program stresses that the programs ever since,” said programming is open to all, Laura Stark, a fellow Canton regardless of disability status. resident and Elinburg’s soon“Through drop-ins, we can to-be NWBA teammate. “I feel bring adaptive sports to life like they’re there, but they’re not advertised well.” COURTESY OF GRAYSON BUNING in a sense,” Robeznieks said. Stark, like Elinburg, was a The UM ASAF program offers free drop-in adaptive sports programming open to students and Ann “We can actually get people involved and allow them to frequent drop-in attendee this Arbor community members. “By hosting these sessions, we’re cost, combined with the fact that form a personal connection with summer and has taken quickly to wheelchair basketball. While she’s trying to leverage our status as part individuals with disabilities are adaptive sports. That will allow them always been active, she longed for the of a great sporting and academic employed at approximately one-tenth to … change whatever preexisting bias opportunity to play as part of a team. institution like the University of the rate of those without, creates an they may have, and it will allow them “Wheelchair basketball is a Michigan to address the gap that insurmountable financial barrier for to appreciate adaptive sports for the sake of its skill and the athletic ability community,” Stark said. “A lot of other exists in the community for people many. To address this, with donor that is required to participate.” adaptive sports I’ve played in the past with physical disabilities to engage Added Stark: “Bringing in people are single player, where it’s only up in recreation, leisure and competitive support, the ASAF program offers their programming completely free outside of the disability community to you. But when I play team sports, adaptive sport,” Robeznieks said.
is great because it shows that the sport is just as difficult this way as it is when played by able-bodied people. I hope that people will start to see that a wheelchair isn’t just a piece of medical equipment — anyone who wants to play wheelchair basketball needs a wheelchair. I think that will do a lot for awareness.” While Robeznieks stresses that the most important goal of the drop-in programming is to provide equitable access to sports and fitness, he also hopes that by opening the program’s doors to all members of the community, they can accelerate the development of an elite-level wheelchair basketball team. “We’re only going to be able to form competitive intercollegiate teams if we’re able to recruit athletes,” Robeznieks said. “But a common problem that we’ve had in trying to recruit athletes is them telling us to come back when we have a team.” By participating in the NWBA’s adult division, the program will be able to field a team of both Michigan students and local community members. This way, the program can market itself to prospective athletes as having an established squad. Eventually, after the program can field a team in the intercollegiate division, this more recreational adultdivision level team can continue to serve as a competitive outlet for community members like Elinburg and Stark. After the success of dropin programming this summer, Michigan ASAF plans to continue offering wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis and adaptive track and field sessions indefinitely — still free and still open to all, with or without disabilities.
