Irish open season in Las Vegas
By RACHEL PROTZMAN
The 2000 Irish softball team will kick off its season this weekend as the women travel to the University of Nevada's Las Vegas Tournament.
Notre Dame will play a total of five of the 16 participating teams.
Head coach Liz Miller, now in her eighth coaching season at Notre Dame, has high expectations for the opener this weekend.
"Right now we set very high goals for ourselves," she said. "We expect to go and win every game."
The Irish are coming off of a 42-20 record last season, with an undefeated conference performance.
Notre Dame grabbed its first Big East championship last year before advancing to NCAA Regionals where they defeated fifth-ranked Michigan before falling to Nebraska in extra innings.
This year Notre Dame looks to repeat its 1999 stellar performance, and it is expected to, having been chosen in a poll of conference coaches to finish first again in the Big East.
The Irish secured eight of nine first-place votes, finishing with 64 points, 11 more than No. 2 Boston College.
The Irish lead off the three-day tournament against Portland State Friday morning. Finishing at 12-37 last season, the Vikings have yet to face Notre Dame in competition.
Notre Dame plays Southern Utah next.
The Thunderbirds, ending last year at 10-48 and returning just three of their nine starters, are currently 0-2.
Saturday morning the Irish are slated to face Oregon. The Ducks stand at 4-1 in the 2000 season, losing only to fifth-ranked Southern Mississippi.
They finished last year at 40-29 after advancing to the NCAA Regionals and grabbing the No. 25 national ranking. With a 1-1 history against the Ducks, Notre Dame looks to grab the upper hand.
Following a 6-2 loss in the 1999 season, Notre Dame looks to get revenge against UC-Santa Barbara Saturday afternoon. UCSB stands at 3-1 in the 2000 season.
The Irish end weekend play against Utah.
The Utes, picked to finish first in the Mountain West Conference, are currently 0-3 after the Fiesta Bowl Tournament last weekend.
The Irish, although lacking senior leadership, have returned seven starters, including 1999 Big East pitcher of the year, Jennifer Sharron, and 1999 Big East player of the year, shortstop, Melanie Alkire.
Also returning from the all-Big East Team are outfielders Lizzy Lemire and Jennifer Kriech.
Notre Dame has a new defensive look in the infield this season as freshmen Andrea Loman, Alexis Madrid and Andria Bledsoe are slated to start at first, second and third bases, respectively, while sophomore Jarrah Myers moves from third base to catcher.
Joining Lemire and Kriech in the outfield is junior Danielle Klayman, a returning starter.
The Irish, yet to get outdoors this year, face teams that have already started the 2000 season.
"We have a little catching up to do, but we don't let that be their advantage. It doesn't hold us back," Miller said. "We need to go out there and play our game."
All Sports Stories for Friday, February 18, 2000
