SportShorts

Man down for Men's Hoops

The Providence College Sports Information department announced yesterday that freshman point guard JaJuan Robinson has left the Men's Basketball team for personal reasons.

One of a class of five incoming freshman, Robinson was expected to provide a spark off the bench this year, but a knee injury sustained in offseason practice was set to sideline him for at least a month.

His departure likely opens up even more playing time for the likes of sophomore Gerald Brown and freshman Ronald McKiver.

Volleyball splits a pair

The Women's Volleyball team lost 3-0 to Central Connecticut on Saturday, but not before a 3-2 victory over Quinnipiac in the opening game of the tournament snapped the Friars' three match losing streak.

The split brings the team's record to 3-11 on the season, and the tournament was a success individually for sophomore Kerry Schulz and senior Ayana Cadres, who were both named to the All-Tournament team.

The opening game saw PC survive in a five-set nailbiter. Cadres was her usual self, captaining the squad to victory while contributing 18 kills and 12 digs to the cause. Other star performers included senior Gayle Malachowski, who totaled 16 kills and 10 digs, and Schulz, who registered 15 kills playing in front of her hometown crowd.

Providence would drop the second match to a hot Central Connecticut team by scores of 15-30, 19-30, and 20-30. Cadres posted 10 kills in the losing effort, while junior Annie Fiorvanti contributed 10 assists.

Next up for the Friars are home games on Friday and Saturday versus Marist and Maine.

Ready for Madness?

Midnight Madness is back for another year, as the college basketball season kicks off at midnight on the morning of Oct. 16.

The doors open at 10:45 p.m. on the night of October 15, and attending Friars fans will be entertained for an hour by a variety of events.

Prizes at stake include airline tickets and a 2004 Ford Mustang GT. There will also be a talent show judged by Sara Stokes from MTV's Making of the Band.

Head Coach Tim Welsh and the Men's Basketball team will take the floor at midnight and give Friars fans a sneak preview of the squad for the upcoming season.

Those attending the event are encouraged to wear black and white in a show of support for the team.

Enshrinement for '73 Men's Hoops team

The 1973 Providence College Men's Basketball team, owners of a sparkling 27-4 record and a trip to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament, was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame last Friday.

Coached by Dave Gavitt, the '73 squad included such PC greats as Ernie DiGregorio, Marvin Barnes, Kevin Stacom and Fran Costello.

The Friars registered a perfect 14-0 home record that year, and were one of only two teams in Providence history to make the Final Four.

Former Holy Cross and Celtics great Bob Cousy gave the opening address to this year's inductees, who were the third class to go into the regional Hall. Former PC great Ray Flynn, who was the Most Valuable Player of the 1963 N.I.T., was also a member of this year's class.