Michigan
12-11, 4-9Big Ten
Michigan State
18-4, 10-3Big Ten
U-M Drops Thriller at Michigan State; Chase Sets Career Kills Mark
11/4/1998 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Site:Â East Lansing, Mich. (Jenison Fieldhouse)
Result:Â #18 Michigan State 3, Michigan 2 (15-8, 15-3, 10-15, 8-15, 15-9)
Records:Â U-M (12-11, 4-9 Big Ten), MSU (18-4, 10-3 Big Ten)
Next Match:Â Saturday, Nov. 7 -- at Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minn.), 7 p.m. CST
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Despite Karen Chase (Orinda, Calif./Miramonte HS) breaking the University of Michigan volleyball program's career kills mark and the team playing one of its most inspired matches of the Big Ten Conference campaign, the Wolverines could not pull out the win as they dropped a tight, five-game match to No. 18-ranked in-state rival Michigan State (8-15, 3-15, 15-10, 15-8, 9-15) on Wednesday (Nov. 4).
Chase led Michigan with 18 kills, giving her 1,140 for her career and pushing her past Michelle Horrigan (1,124 from 1989-93) for the top spot on the Wolverines' career list. Chase's efforts were not enough as the Wolverines only hit at a .191 (61-30-162) clip for the match, compared to .262 (62-24-145) for the Spartans. The Wolverines were also out-blocked 15-8.
After falling behind two games to none, Michigan fought back to win games three and four to push No. 18 Michigan State to the limit. Michigan's comeback was aided by solid all-around play from Sarah Behnke (Baroda, Mich./Lakeshore HS), who finished in double figures in both kills (13) and digs (12).
Game five was decided at the net as Michigan State registered a hitting percentage of .643 (10-1-14) while Michigan hit .385 (6-1-13). Joining Chase as a Wolverine force at the net was sophomore Joanna Fielder (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Beach HS), who posted a hitting percentage of .421 (9-1-19).
MATCH BESTS
Kills:Â U-M 61 (Karen Chase 18); MSU 62 (Jenna Wrobel 23)
Assists:Â U-M 49 (Shannon Melka 25); MSU 53 (Christie Landry 50)
Service Aces:Â U-M 3 (Szczesniak-Chase-Tennis 1); MSU 5 (Christie Landry 2)
Digs:Â U-M 51 (Sarah Behnke 12); MSU 54 (Erin Hartley 16)
Blocks:Â U-M 8 (Karen Chase 4); MSU 15 (Sarah Gustin 8)
NOTES
• Michigan relinquishes "State Pride" for 1998 based on Michigan State winning both matches between the schools this season. The Wolverines owned the "State Pride" championship for the last year. Michigan State now holds a narrow 5-4 lead in the "State Pride" series.
• This was only Michigan's second five-game match of the season. The Wolverines lost to San Diego (5-15, 11-15, 15-13, 15-8, 12-15) on Sept. 19.
• Sarah Behnke recorded three blocks, which is her season high.
