Michigan
9-6, 1-4Big Ten
Michigan State
10-3, 3-2Big Ten
Michigan Loses in Three Games to No. 23 Michigan State
10/7/1998 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Site:Â Ann Arbor, Mich. (Cliff Keen Arena)
Score:Â #23 Michigan State 3, Michigan 0 (15-10, 15-12, 15-5)
Team Records:Â U-M (9-6, 1-4 Big Ten), MSU (10-3, 3-2 Big Ten)
Next Match:Â Friday, Oct. 9 -- vs. Minnesota (Cliff Keen Arena), 7 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In "State Pride" match one, the University of Michigan volleyball team was defeated by 23rd-ranked Michigan State in three games (10-15, 12-15, 5-15) on Wednesday (Oct. 7) before a crowd of 846 in Cliff Keen Arena. The loss puts Michigan's record at 9-6 on the season and 1-4 in the Big Ten Conference.
In game one, Michigan jumped out to a 5-1 lead behind the solid hitting of Karen Chase (Orinda, Calif./Miramonte HS), who registered a hitting percentage of .500 (4-1-6). However, Michigan State rallied for a 15-10 win.
Game two provided a similar pattern as Michigan enjoyed a 6-1 lead before the Spartans came back to knot the game at 8-8. The game remained tight until Michigan State scored the final two points for a 15-12 win. Michigan State controlled game three from the start and closed out the match with a 15-5 win.
Chase led the Maize and Blue with 13 kills, while Joanna Fielder (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor HS) hit .500 (7-1-12) and added a team-high two blocks and seven digs.
Michigan returns to action on Friday (Oct. 9) with its "Rock the House" night against 22nd-ranked Minnesota. Match time is 7 p.m. at Cliff Keen Arena.
MATCH BESTS
Kills:Â U-M 40 (Karen Chase 13); MSU 63 (Sarah Gustin 15)
Assists:Â U-M 36 (Shannon Melka 17); MSU 59 (Christie Landry 49)
Service Aces:Â U-M 4 (Jane Stevens 3); MSU 6 (Jennifer Stroffe-Erin Hartley 2)
Digs:Â U-M 32 (Jeanine Szczesniak-Joanna Fielder 7); MSU 47 (Jenna Wrobel 10)
Blocks:Â U-M 4 (Karen Chase-Joanna Fielder 2); MSU 8 (Sarah Gustin-Jenny Whitehead 4)
NOTES
• Senior captain Jane Stevens (Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou HS) recorded a personal season-high three service aces.
• Sarah Behnke's (Baroda, Mich./Lakeshore HS) 20 attack attempts was a season high for her. Her previous attempts high this season was 11 vs. New Mexico on Sept. 18.
• Linsey Ebert's (Fowlerville, Mich./Fowlerville HS) one ace gives her 18 on the season. She is Michigan's leader in that category and has recorded at least one ace in 10 of Michigan's 15 contests this season.
• Shannon Melka (Wheaton, Ill./St. Francis HS) compiled 17 assists on the match to give her an even 300 for the season.
QUOTES
Michigan Head Coach Greg Giovanazzi
On where this team is headed ... "We need to refocus; it is somewhat of a gut-check time for us. I still feel we can be a good volleyball team."
On what Michigan needs to improve on ... "One thing that is becoming an issue is our inability to close out games. We had solid early leads in the first two games tonight but were unable to finish them off. Closing out games is something we are going to address."
