Michigan
12-13, 4-11Big Ten
Illinois
17-8, 10-5Big Ten
Chase, Behnke Post 20-Kill Outings in Loss at No. 20 Illinois
11/13/1998 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Site: Champaign, Ill.
Result: #20 Illinois 3, Michigan 0 (15-13, 15-7, 15-13)
Records: U-M (12-13, 4-11 Big Ten), Illinois (17-8, 10-5 Big Ten)
Next U-M Match: Saturday, Nov. 14 -- at Purdue (West Lafayette, Ind.), 7 p.m.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The rough and tumble Big Ten Conference continues to equal trouble for the University of Michigan volleyball squad as the Wolverines fell to Illinois in three games (13-15, 7-15, 13-15) for the second time this season. Despite the three-game sweep, the match was tight, with the Wolverines pushing 20th-ranked Illinois to the limit in games one and three.
Michigan was led by outside hitters Karen Chase (Orinda, Calif./Miramonte HS) and Sarah Behnke (Baroda, Mich./Lakeshore HS), who registered 24 and 20 kills, respectively. Together they helped the Wolverines hit .229 (57-25-140) for the match. However, Illinois hit .325 (63-22-126) as a result of Michigan's lack of blocking. Noted head coach Greg Giovanazzi, "Our blocking was not there tonight, because normally when we hit around .229 as a team we win the match."
Freshman setter Shannon Melka (Wheaton, Ill./St. Francis HS) tallied a career-high 44 assists and played a solid defensive game by compiling a team-high seven digs. Fellow freshman Nicole Kacor (Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley HS) delivered in the backcourt, and the Maize and Blue received six blocks from senior middle blocker Linsey Ebert (Fowlerville, Mich./Fowlerville HS) as Michigan out-blocked the Fighting Illini 10-8.
Twelve service errors also hindered the Wolverines' ability to score points, while their sideout game was giving them opportunities, according to Giovanazzi.
MATCH BESTS
Kills: U-M 57 (Karen Chase 24); Illinois 63 (Betsy Spicer 18)
Assists: U-M 47 (Shannon Melka 44); Illinois 45 (Melissa Beitz 42)
Service Aces: U-M 6 (Karen Chase 2); Illinois 7 (Sara Sorrell 4)
Digs: U-M 35 (Shannon Melka 7); Illinois 43 (Tracy Marshall 16)
Blocks: U-M 10 (Linsey Ebert 6); Illinois 8 (Chapman-Sorrell 5)
NOTES
• Michigan's record is now 12-13, which is the first time the Wolverines have been below .500 all season.
• Karen Chase's 24 kills are her second-highest total of the season. She previously compiled 25 kills vs. Iowa (Oct. 24). Sarah Behnke's 20 kills are her second-highest total of the campaign behind the 25 she notched vs. Northwestern (Oct. 31).
• Shannon Melka's career-high 44 assists was Michigan's third-highest total of the season.
QUOTES
Michigan Head Coach Greg Giovanazzi
On the play of Michigan's outside hitters ... "Karen Chase and Sarah Behnke were excellent attackers for us tonight from the left side. They were really unstoppable for the most part. However, our middle attacking and blocking was not there."
On the play of Linsey Ebert ... "Linsey came back really strong and delivered six blocks. In addition, Nicole Kacor played a solid match in the back row with her passing and digging."
