TENNIS
University of Miami sophomore Todd Widom lost in the men’s singles semifinals Saturday at the Omni Hotels National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships, the second of three national championships for collegiate tennis this season.
The Hurricanes standout fell to Illinois’ third-seeded Amer Delic 7-6 (2), 7-5.
Widom, a sophomore who is No. 13 in the Omni Hotels national singles rankings, had pulled out three straight three-set matches over players ranked in the top 30 to reach the semifinals. This was his first collegiate semifinal appearance.
Friday, Widom reached the semifinals thanks to an upset over No. 2 seed Jesse Witten of Kentucky 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in tonight’s quarterfinals. He opened the day with a 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-1 second round win over Stanford’s David Martin. Those two results came after a first-round defeat of Zoltan Papp of Baylor in three sets. Widom won the first set 7-5 before falling 7-5 in the second set. He beat Papp 6-4 in the third set to advance in the tournament.
The last Miami player to play at this tournament was Mike Russell, who captured the 1997 title as a freshman
Widom’s record now stands at 8-3 on the season.

SWIMMING & DIVING
The University of Miami women’s swim team fell 131-112 to the University of Tennessee Friday night in Knoxville, despite a number of strong performances by the Hurricanes.
Christine Williams placed first for Miami in the 50-yard freestyle event with a time of 24.07 and Dutch Olympian Manon Van Rooijen took another first place finish for the Hurricanes, winning the 100 free in 52.23.
Katalin Ferenzci won the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:03.49 and the 400-relay team of Williams, Erin Johns, Megan Kinsella, and Van Rooijen placed first in 3:30.73.
Katie Beth Bryant took first place in both diving events, scoring 328.65 in the 1-meter event and 305.30 in the 3-meter.
The Hurricanes took first place in six of the 10 events featured at the dual meet, but were thwarted by the Volunteers’ depth.

The University of Miami volleyball team bounced back from a grueling five-game loss to Pittsburgh with a win over West Virginia Sunday in Morgantown, W. Va.
The Hurricanes (22-4, 8-3 in Big East Conference play) cruised in all three games winning 30-19, 30-23, 30-24. The Mountaineers fell to 9-18, 3-9.
“It was great to see us bounce back,” said coach Nicole Lantagne Welch. “We really came ready to play. This was the most prepared I’ve seen us coming into a match. I was great to see our team so focused and determined.”
UM was led by senior outside hitter Marcella Gamarra, who had a match high .406 hitting percentage and 15 kills. Gamarra also led the Hurricanes in digs with 10. Lantagne Welch noted that sophomore outside hitter Biz Tyson also had a solid game, chipping in 11 kills and just one error.
The Hurricanes were also strong along the net. Robin Lewullis had six blocks in all, while Valeria Tipiana and Karla Johsnon each had five.
Friday, the Hurricanes were edged in a five-game match by Big East stalwart Pittsburgh Friday night on the Panthers’ home court.
After falling in the first game 30-26, the Hurricanes stormed back with twin 30-28 wins before losing the fourth game 30-26.
In the final game, the Panthers prevailed by a hair’s breadth, winning 15-13 and taking the match.
Pittsburgh’s Megan Miller, who tallied a match high 28 kills, harried the Hurricanes throughout the match. UM was led by sophomore outside hitter Valeria Tipiana who generated 21 kills. Libero player Jamie Grass led UM on defense with 19 digs.
The Hurricanes hope that Sunday’s victory will result in renewed confidence going into a tough home match against Notre Dame. The Irish are undefeated in conference play and are traditionally one of the stronger teams in the Big East.
-Compiled by the Sports Information Department.

Saake leads ‘Canes to win
Guard’s 24 points sparks 84-79 exibition victory
The Hurricane women’s basketball team opened up their preseason on Thursday night against a Tournament of Champions team that featured two current WNBA players and three former UM stars. The ‘Canes got all they could handle from the Nike-sponsored squad, who refused to give up until the final buzzer.
Miami held on for an 84-79 win at the Knight Sports Complex as Meghan Saake led the scoring with 24 points on 11-17 shooting in 36 minutes of action. Her free throw with 44 seconds left that ultimately sealed the win for the ‘Canes, making the score 80-72 at that time. Shaquana Wilkins pitched in with a “double-double” of 15 points and 14 rebounds.
“This was a great opportunity for us to learn about our team,” said Coach Ferne Labati, now in her 15th season with the ‘Canes. “This gave us a chance to work on various rotations and it was a great time for a game that will give us an advantage going into the season.”
The Tournament of Champions team was able to battle back from double-digit deficits in both halves to keep the game tight until the last minute. They were led by forward Tracy Reid of the Phoenix Mercury, who scored 26 points, and former UM stars Jennifer Jordan (14 points) and Carla Curry (13 points).
“They were a real tough team and gave us a great opportunity to play a regulation game before the season starts,” Labati said. “We were able to work on different situations during the game and see how the kids work together.”
The game was very tight for most of the first half, with both teams trading baskets until the Tournament of Champions team built up a 15-10 lead with about 14 minutes remaining. The ‘Canes responded with a 9-0 run to take a 19-15 lead with 11 minutes left in the half. Led by Saake’s 15 first half points and great defense, the ‘Canes were able to increase their lead, entering the locker room with a 42-31 advantage.
The second half opened with a 22-13 Tournament of Champions run to cut the UM lead to 55-53. A nice post-up move by Wilkins put the ‘Canes back up by four and a Tamara James jumper complemented by a Wilkins lay-up increased the lead to eight with under 10 minutes remaining. James had a strong collegiate debut, finishing with 14 points.
The Tournament of Champions team responded quickly to the UM run with a Betty Lennox (who also plays in the WNBA) three-pointer, cutting the deficit to five points. Two Saake jumpers, a Melissa Knight jumper, and Yalonda McCormick steal and lay-up opened up a 77-65 lead for the ‘Canes. At that point, the Tournament of Champions team was forced to begin fouling and launching threes in late-game desperation.
A couple of Tournament of Champions threes in the last minute made the final score 84-79 but the Hurricanes definitely got their money’s worth from the Tournament of Champions squad. Both teams worked hard and provided the fans at the Knight Sports Complex with a high scoring, entertaining game.
Coach Labati feels that this game is an example of how hard the team is willing to work to improve upon last season’s 19-12 mark and WNIT bid.
“The Big East has more parody than usual this year,” Labati said. “We hope to play hard as a team and make a run at the Big East title.”
Many people say that you can never truly tell how good a team is going to be from an exhibition game. Even if this is so, judging by the effort of the “Canes Thursday night, this year’s squad should provide constant entertainment and a 100 percent effort every time they step out onto the floor.
Eric Kalis can be reached at elk777bc@hotmail.com

BACK TO THE TOP

One week after falling to No.2 in the Associated Press poll, which ended their string of 16 straight weeks at No.1, the Miami Hurricanes regained the top spot thanks to Oklahoma’s 30-26 loss at Texas A&M, combined with the ‘Canes 26-3 victory over Tennessee.
Not only are the Hurricanes ranked No.1 in both polls, but also the lone holder of first-place votes. Miami gained all 74 first-place votes in the AP Poll, putting them nearly 80 points ahead of Ohio State. The ‘Canes also hold each of the 61 first-place votes in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll, where they hold a 73 point lead over the second-ranked Buckeyes.
The Sooners, along with Bowling Green, fell from the ranks of the unbeaten Saturday, leaving Miami and Ohio State as college football’s lone unbeatens.
”Those things don’t surprise me,” said head coach Larry Coker. “Ten days ago we were going to have numerous undefeated teams and nowhere to go. Now how many do we have?”
Most importantly, the Oklahoma loss guarantees that if Miami wins their final three games, the Hurricanes will get an opportunity to defend their national championship in Tempe, Arizona on Jan. 3. The players, however, still don’t give any attention to the BCS.
“We don’t care about all that BCS stuff, all we care about is repeating as national champions,” said tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. “We are 31-0 since I’ve been here. We control our own destiny.”

MCGAHEE TIES SCHOOL RECORD

Junior tailback Willis McGahee’s one-yard TD plunge with 13:41 to go in the second quarter gave Miami a 13-3 lead. It also marked McGahee’s 17th touchdown of the season, tying Edgerrin James for the single-season record in that category.
McGahee also increased his 129.2 yards a game, picking up 154 on 30 carries. The tailback now has 1186 yards on the year. His seventh 100 yard game of the season puts him one shy of Otis Anderson and Clinton Portis, who hold the school-record with eight. It remains to be seen how much these numbers will aid McGahee’s chances for a Heisman, but there is no doubt that opponents are feeling the mark he leaves.
“McGahee has great speed,” said Tennessee defensive end Omari Hand. “He’s patient and waits for the hole to open. He’s one of the best we’ve faced.”

WILFORK DOESN’T MAKE TRIP

The Miami defensive line shut down the Tennessee attack without one of their fixtures Saturday. Sophomore defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, who at 6-2 and 350 pounds is the biggest of the Hurricanes defensive linemen, missed the game to stay home with his ailing mother Barbara, who suffered a stroke late last week. Coker said there were signs of improvement over the weekend.
”I won’t go into details, but she is doing better now,” Coker said.
As of Sunday, Barbara Wilfork was in the critical care unit at Bethesda Memorial Hospital in Boyton Beach. Her stroke comes less than a year after Vince’s father died from kidney disease. A plane had been arranged to fly Wilfork to Knoxville, but he chose to stay by his mother’s side, especially after reassurances from Coker.
“I said Vince, just relax,” Coker said. “This is football. Go see your mother.”

OTHER NOTES

Coker made one change in the lineup Saturday, as Howard Clark returned to his starting strong-side linebacker spot, replacing freshman Rocky McIntosh, who was suffering from a sprained ankle. McIntosh did see time with the second unit….McGahee bruised his left shoulder on a first-quarter scoring drive but returned to the game shortly thereafter….Placekicker Todd Sievers four field goals tied a Miami record in one game. This was the third time Sievers accomplished the feat and the ninth time a Miami kicker booted four successful field goals
You can reach Jeremy Marks-Peltz at jmp310@hotmail.com

1. The University of Miami
2. Ohio State
3. Texas
4. Washington State
5. Iowa
6. Oklahoma
7. Georgia
8. USC
9. Notre Dame
10. Alabama
11. Kansas State
12. Michigan
13. Virginia Tech
14. LSU
15. FSU
16. Penn State
17. Colorado
18. Maryland
19. Pittsburgh
20. Colorado State
21. Oregon
22. NC State
23. Florida
24. Auburn
25. TCU

‘Canes give up just 200 yards in 26-3 victory
Knoxville, TN. – The Miami football team has faced harsh criticism over the past month for its hard fought victories against lesser opponents. Their heart and understanding of what is at stake has come into question, and many believed the Tennessee game would determine what the Hurricanes are really capable of.
Miami answered the calling and extended their nation leading win streak to 31 games, as they dominated the Vols on both sides of the ball en route to a 26-3 victory in front of 107,745 fans at Neyland Stadium. Miami scored on their first five possessions, and took a 19-3 lead into the locker room at the half. The ‘Canes have not produced well in the first half this season, and head coach Larry Coker was more than pleased with his team’s ability to play well for all four quarters.
“This was an outstanding win for our football team because we played well in all three phases of the game,” Coker said. “The team responded well to the criticism over a tough opponent.”
Once again, the usual suspects provided the punch for the Miami offense, with Heisman candidates Willis McGahee and Ken Dorsey leading the way. McGahee rushed for 100 yards alone in the first half and scored his 17th rushing touchdown of the season. McGahee finished the game with 154 yards rushing on 30 carries.
“We came together as a team and connected on all cylinders,” McGahee said. “Our main concern is winning games. We must continue to play as good as possible and improve as we finish the season.”
Dorsey also maintained his Heisman status, completing 18-of-36 pass attempts for 245 yards and a touchdown. Dorsey played mistake free football and found his favorite targets Andre Johnson and Kellen Winslow numerous times. Johnson caught five balls for 103 yards and Winslow also had five receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown.
“We feel like this was a statement game,” Dorsey said. “We beat a good team in a hostile environment. We feel very comfortable where this football team is right now.”
The Miami defense held Tennessee to only 200 total yards. Their only shortcoming came on the second play of the game, when Vols tailback Cedric Houston dashed up the middle for a 74 yard run, setting up a 21 yard field goal that gave Tennessee a 3-0 lead with 12:49 left in the first quarter. The Miami defense held tight the rest of the game, holding Vols quarterback Casey Clausen to five-of-14 passing for 63 yards and no touchdowns. Clausen would leave the game at halftime with an injured foot.
The nation’s top rated pass defense held Tennessee to only 77 yards passing in the entire game, while the rush defense responded well to their struggles over the past month.
“Our defense definitely kicked it up a notch, especially against the run,” Coker said.
The lack of offense from Tennessee quickly quieted the fifth largest crowd ever to see a Volunteer game.
“It sounded real good to quiet their crowd,” Middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma said. “We set the tone early and maintained our intensity for the entire game.”
Miami answered Tennessee’s early score on its first drive of the game, with a 37-yard field goal by Todd Sievers. Sievers would add his second of four first half field goals in the first quarter, to give the ‘Canes a 6-3 lead after the first quarter.
The Hurricanes continued to move the ball on the Vols defense, finding the end zone early in the second quarter, after Dorsey found Andre Johnson in stride for a 44 yard hook up that set up a McGahee one yard TD run with 13:41 left in the first half. Sievers connected on field goals of 44 and 25 yards in the second quarter, to give UM the 19-3 halftime lead.
“We had an extremely balanced attack on offense and our defense played phenomenal,” said UM center Brett Romberg.
The second half proved to be no different for the Vols offense, as true freshman James Banks took over at quarterback for Tennessee but managed no better than Clausen. The ‘Canes reached the end zone halfway through the third quarter, when Winslow caught an 11-yard strike from Dorsey, extending Miami’s lead to 26-3 with 5:23 remaining in the third. The scoring stopped here, as did the noise from Tennessee fans.
“We came together as a team and proved that nobody can play with us if we play four solid quarters of football,” said defensive end Andrew Williams. “The Hurricanes are known to enter hostile environments and quiet rowdy crowds.”
Miami has a much-deserved week off this Saturday and will play host to a hot Pittsburgh team next Thursday at the Orange Bowl. The ‘Canes are fully aware that they control their own fate, especially after an Oklahoma loss on Saturday.
“We control our own destiny,” Coker said. “If we win the rest of our games, we will be in Tempe.”
You can reach Brian Poliakoff at b.poliakoff@umiami.edu.