The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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from our readers Their success is all the more remarkable, given the inclement spring weather in the North. Because of weather factors, this sport has been dominated by West Coast teams (and to a lesser extent southern schools). While the West and South teams play home games in their sunny spring climes, the Michigan women play their first 30 games of the year on the road. Despite the disadvantages they face, the Michigan team has one big advantage over all the other schools: they are coached by Carol Hutchins, arguably the best softball coach in the land. She has never had a losing seasons in her 27 years coaching the Blue, and has guided the team to 12 Big Ten titles and 14 NCAA Regional tournament victories. Her teams have won more than 1,300 games, making her the coach with the most wins in any sport in school history. Most astonishing, in 2005 she lead the Wolverines to the NCAA championship, a feat no other northern team has achieved. I can personally tell you that many people out here in sunny California were stunned and amazed that a Midwestern team could win Be Heard! Send your letters to: Wolverine Letters • P.O. Box 1304 Ann Arbor, MI 48106 Or e-mail: jborton@thewolverine.com Letters may be edited for clarity or length. this tournament. From what I have read, she is much more than just a coach who leads her teams to countless victories. She is revered by her players for helping them grow and mature as young women. Michigan has had the good fortune to have many excellent coaches over the years, and Carol Hutchins belongs up there with the best of them. Harvey Dasho Walnut Creek, Calif. Michigan softball plays hardball, no doubt, Harvey. There might be a schedule poster slogan in there somewhere. Michigan Volleyball Reminder Dear The Wolverine: After a first-time trip to the NCAA Final Four, the volleyball team should be every bit as good this season. Starters and veteran players return at every position. Only Michigan's sportsmanship award winner, senior Claire McElheny, graduated off of last year's team. Jen Cross should get the Michigan career blocks record. Lexi Irwin (Berkeley Regional MVP and member of the Final Four All-Tournament Team) has a chance at the career kills record. With two more seasons to go, Lexi Dannemiller is on track to claim the career assists record, and after her first year, Tiffany Morales has a great start toward the career digs title. Coach Mark Rosen received the Michigan women's team coach of the year award. Michigan might have needed the