Cross country Continued from Page 9A for longer recovery, which is the main reason we are taking the guys we are. Between [Bergquist, Nehring and Bliss], we are look ing for guys to be on the national team." The women also have their sights set on the NCAA Champi onships. Women’s head coach Tom Heinonen said if the women play to their potential, they would be a “lock” for an at-large pick. “If everything goes exactly ac cording to form nationwide, which it won't, then we would get the third at-large bid of 13 awarded,” Heinonen said. “But it won’t go according to form, there will be lots of surprises. But we want to create the surprise, not be surprised.” Going into tomorrow’s meet, the morale of the No. 16 Ducks is high. “We have a great chance to do something really good because we have a lot of focus now,” Marie Davis said. “We’re winding down the season and we’re get ting prepared to run fast. I think it should be good. We have a good chance of doing well at nationals, but right now we’re focused on the districts and seeing how well we can do there.” Davis, who has led the Ducks in all of their meets this season, will lead the charge. Also running will be Katie Crabb, Annie Ebin er, Liz Howell, Heather McMa hon, Robyn Sutherland and Kylee Wells. At the Pac-10 Championships, many of the Ducks — including Davis — were not happy with the way they ran. But Davis said she does not want to alter her strategy this weekend too much. “I think that at Pac-lOs, I wasn’t happy with way I finished. I could have competed harder and finished higher. We want to do the same thing we did at the Pac 10, but with a little bit more inten sity, and we’ll see what happens.” Heinonen said he thought the Ducks’ mediocre performance at the Pac-10 could be attributed to the fact that they were running at home. He said the team has put the Pac-10 behind them and is ready to compete hard tomorrow. “At the regionals we have to go in and get it done, we can’t let ourselves be surprised by a team that comes out of nowhere,” Heinonen said. “We think we’re ready to go, we’re healthier than ever and more focused than we were at Pac-10, which was pretty distracting for us.” One thing the Ducks fell short of achieving at the Pac-10 that they would like to do at the re gionals is beat No. 14 Arizona State, a team that has eluded Ore gon in both of their meetings this season. “We’d like to beat as many teams as we can, and they are one of those teams that is right there in front of us,” Davis said. “They’re a team we are going to shoot for, and I think it’s a goal we’ve had in the back of our minds since the Pac-10. We’re go ing to run hard and look at those ASU girls and hunt them down; hopefully we can get them.” Sports brief Invitational next stop for men’s tennis In its last tournament until Jan uary, the Oregon men’s tennis team will close out an impressive fall season at the Washington In vitational Tournament this week end in Seattle. “(The fall's] been very promis ing,” head coach Russell said. “Come January, we’re in a good position to be competitive in every spot we play in a team match.” The Ducks have had several good showings throughout the fall, exemplified by the play of Guillermo Carter two weeks ago at the Rolex Regional Tournament at Stanford. Carter became the first player in Oregon history to reach the tournament’s semi-finals. “We’re looking at three guys who are showing us that they can all vie for the top spot,” Russell said. “’Memo really indicated that with the excellent result he had down there at the Rolex.” Oregon will look for more of the same this weekend at the in dividual tournament when it faces Washington and Minneso ta, two teams that consistently rank in the nation’s top 20. “We’re really playing some good tennis right now,” Russell said. "This is going to be a great chance for the guys to showcase that. We’re looking forward to our guys going out there and competing at a high level.” Ducks search for an opening in Stanford’s armor Oregon is lookingto end the season with an upset over Stanford By Allison Ross Oregon Daily Emerald Maybe a trip to California will shed some sunshine on the Oregon volleyball team. After being swept by the Washington schools last week at McArthur Court, the Ducks are looking to finish the season on a brighter note. Oregon will face No. 4 Stanford (21-2 over all, 14-0 Pacific-10 Conference) at Maples Pavillion tonight. The Cardinal are currently in the midst of a 43-match win ning streak on their home court. On Sunday, Oregon battles California (6-19, 2-12) which can move out of a tie for last place in the Pac-10 with a win against the Ducks. “We're going to go down and try to play two of our best matches,” Oregon head coach Cathy Nelson said. “The team is hungry for a win and they know they can get one this weekend.” Stanford leads the Pac-10 in hitting percentage (.288) and blocks per game (3.95). The Cardinal’s blocking attack is led by middle blockers Jennifer Detmer and Sara Sandrik who have helped the Stanford out block every opponent this sea son, with the exception of No. 5 Nebraska. They don’t have a lot of weak nesses,” Nelson said. VOLLEYBALL “Usually with a team you can find one or two things to exploit to help your team. With Stanford, there’s just not a lot to exploit.” “We believe we can win the next five matches," White said. “Stanford is going to be our toughest challenge, but we're mainly going to focus on hav ing fun and not worry what our record is.” The Ducks will look to emerge from the cellar of the Pac-10 on Sunday. Oregon is tied for last place with Cal and Oregon State, but a win against Cal could move them into greener pastures. Cal will be without some of its key players this weekend. Junior outside hitter Brooke Coulter is out for the season with a stress fracture in her left shin. Coulter will be sorely missed as she led the Bears in kills and digs. Also out for the season are outside hitters Jame ka Stevens (shoulder) and Kel ly Meyer (right shin, fibula). Cool sounds meet smooth espresso at Coffee People. On Friday and Saturday niyhts From 8-10, Coffee People will be serviny up local talent as well as our fabulous espresso drinks and delectable pastries. Smooth jau, acoustic rock, folk, world beat: call to find out what yreat sounds are on the schedule or just drop by for a Coffee People yood time. Drop by for some Coffee Culture. Address: 8401.13 (*r#n the rtrtct from Hit flniwnHv Bookstore) Phone: 302-1771 Mo com cW**. 0m drink minimum for ill shoos.