Michigan
9-4, 1-2Big Ten
Northwestern
11-4, 1-2Big Ten
Michigan Sweeps Northwestern to Earn First Big Ten Victory
10/2/1998 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Site: Evanston, Ill. (Welsh-Ryan Arena)
Score:Â Michigan 3, Northwestern 0 (15-7, 15-12, 15-12)
Team Records:Â U-M (9-4, 1-2 Big Ten), Northwestern (11-4, 1-2 Big Ten)
Next Match:Â Saturday, Oct. 3 -- at Indiana (Bloomington, Ind.), 7 p.m. CDT
EVANSTON, Ill. --Â The University of Michigan volleyball team recorded its first Big Ten Conference victory of the season by sweeping Northwestern in three games (15-7, 15-12, 15-12) on the road Friday night (Oct. 2).
Michigan's key to victory was its dominant play at the net. The Wolverines utilized their considerable advantage in size by amassing season highs in total blocks (20) and block assists (36) while holding the Wildcats to a .043 (37-32-115) hitting percentage. "Our service game was excellent tonight and really took Northwestern out of its offense, which led to our superb blocking numbers," said U-M coach Greg Giovanazzi.
A turning point in the match came in a tight game three as the Wildcats suffered five consecutive service errors at one point. Michigan capitalized on Northwestern's misfortunes to put it away in three games.
Although the Wolverines struggled a bit offensively, they received another solid effort from senior Jeanine Szczesniak (Evergreen Park, Ill./Mother McAuley HS), who compiled a team-high hitting percentage of .313 (7-2-16). In addition, Szczesniak tied for team-high honors in kills (7) and was second in digs (6) and assists (6).
Michigan will look to even its Big Ten record at Indiana on Saturday (Oct. 3) in a 7 p.m. CDT start.
MATCH BESTS
Kills: U-M 34 (Jeanine Szczesniak-Karen Chase 7); Northwestern 37 (Jessica Holloway 10)
Assists:Â U-M 26 (Shannon Melka 11); Northwestern 34 (Liz Reinus 31)
Service Aces: U-M 4 (Jeanine Szczesniak 3); Northwestern 4 (Melissa Doan 3)
Digs: U-M 37 (Jane Stevens 7); Northwestern 37 (Jessica Holloway 10)
Blocks: U-M 20 (Linsey Ebert 11); Northwestern 7 (Melissa Doan 4)
NOTES
• Three Wolverines set career highs in total blocks and block assists. Linsey Ebert (Fowlerville, Mich./Fowlerville HS) had 11 block assists and 11 total blocks, Anne Poglits (West Bloomfield, Mich./Livonia Ladywood HS) registered seven block assists and seven total blocks, and Joanna Fielder (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor HS) posted with seven block assists and seven total blocks.
• Michigan nearly set the all-time school record for block assists in a match with 36. The Michigan record is 37 and was set on 9/15/89 vs. Bowling Green State University.
• For the first time this season, Alija Pittenger (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial HS) was not one of the top two in assists for Michigan in a match. Pittenger only registered five assists while Shannon Melka (Wheaton, Ill./St. Francis HS) led Michigan with 11 and Szczesniak was second with six.
QUOTES
Michigan Head Coach Greg Giovanazzi
On Karen Chase's performance ... "Karen had a dominant game at the net. The statistics only show her with four total blocks but it seemed like she got her hands on everything and was the force at the net for us tonight."
On the play of Jeanine Szczesniak ... "Jeanine is from Illinois and she seems to always play well when we are in this state. Something about being at home fires her up, and I have vivid memories of her playing outstanding at Northwestern. Once again, she played a fine all-around match for us here."
