Michigan
11-10, 3-8Big Ten
Indiana
12-8, 5-6Big Ten
Wolverines Unable to Overcome Hot-Hitting Hoosiers
10/30/1998 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Site:Â Ann Arbor, Mich. (Cliff Keen Arena)
Result:Â Indiana 3, Michigan 0 (15-8, 15-3, 15-7)
Records:Â U-M (11-10, 3-8 Big Ten), Indiana (12-8, 5-6 Big Ten)
Next Match:Â Saturday, Oct. 31 -- vs. Northwestern (Cliff Keen Arena), 7 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan volleyball team could not make it two consecutive victories in the Big Ten Conference as the Wolverines fell to Indiana in three games (8-15, 3-15, 7-15) Friday night (Oct. 30) on their home floor in Cliff Keen Arena.
Michigan started out game one strong behind solid setting and attacking from Shannon Melka (Wheaton, Ill./St. Francis HS). Michigan owned an early 7-5 lead, but Indiana rallied to take game one 15-8, hitting a sizzling .459 (17-0-37) in the game.
Indiana continued its strong attacking game and took control of the match with a 15-3 win in the second game. The Hoosiers' hitting got stronger in game two as they had 16 kills and just one error in 28 swings for a .536 mark, while Michigan posted a hitting percentage of .129 (12-8-31).
Although Michigan fell behind 8-0 in game three, the Wolverines did not go quietly and fought back to within six at 11-5. Michigan's small charge in game three was aided by sophomore Sarah Behnke (Baroda, Mich./Lakeshore HS), who came off the bench to hit .462 (7-1-13). However, Indiana called a timeout to regroup and put the Maize and Blue away 15-7 to win the match in three games.
Michigan hopes to get its offense on track tomorrow night with a home match against Northwestern at 7 p.m. at Cliff Keen Arena.
MATCH BESTS
Kills:Â U-M 46 (Karen Chase 13); Indiana 52 (Ryann Connors-Amanda Welter 11)
Assists:Â U-M 42 (Shannon Melka 34); Indiana 47 (Kristina Sanderson 39)
Service Aces:Â U-M 2 (Melka-Jeanine Szczesniak 1); Indiana 9 (Kristina Sanderson 3)
Digs:Â U-M 40 (Jane Stevens 10); Indiana 45 (Cydryce Carter 12)
Blocks:Â U-M 2 (Linsey Ebert-Annie Maxwell 1); Indiana 6 (Amanda Welter 3)
NOTES
• Wolverine senior Karen Chase (Orinda, Calif./Miramonte HS) registered a team-high 13 kills and raised her career kill total to 1,084, putting her in a tie with Sarah Jackson (1994-97) for second place on U-M's all-time list. Chase needs 41 kills to surpass Michelle Horrigan (1,124 from 1989-93) for the Michigan career record.
• Michigan is now 10-3 vs. unranked opponents on the season.
• Shannon Melka's three kills are a career high.
QUOTES
Michigan Head Coach Greg Giovanazzi
On the players accepting his challenge ... "My substitution pattern is designed to inspire players and push them. Some of our players are not accepting that challenge, while some are. Specifically, Joanna Fielder and Maggie Cooper have accepted the challenge and improved their performance."
