Michigan
7-1
New Mexico
4-5
Michigan Topples New Mexico in Four Games for Seventh Win
9/18/1998 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Site:Â Albuquerque, N.M.
Score:Â Michigan 3, New Mexico 1 (15-13, 15-6, 16-18, 15-13)
Team Records:Â U-M (7-1), UNM (4-5)
Next Match:Â Saturday, Sept. 19 -- vs. San Diego (Albuquerque, N.M.), 10 a.m. MDT
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- In the opening match of the Domino's Pizza Classic, the University of Michigan volleyball team dropped host New Mexico in four games 15-13, 15-6, 16-18, 15-13 on Friday (Sept. 18) to improve its record to 7-1 on the year.
After winning the first two games of the match, Michigan could not close out the match in game three, eventually falling to the Lobos in a see-saw game 16-18. Despite being out-hit in team kills (64-61) for the match, Michigan finished off the contest in the fourth game 15-13 to collect a difficult road victory.
Michigan's top all-around performance came from sophomore Joanna Fielder (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor HS) as she led the Wolverines in attack percentage .455 (11-1-22) and blocks (6). Joining Fielder with a impressive performance at the net was Anne Poglits (West Bloomfied, Mich./Livonia Ladywood HS) with an attack percentage of .391 (12-3-23).
According to head coach Greg Giovanazzi, "Shannon Melka (Wheaton, Ill./St. Francis HS) really made a difference with her setting and service game. She continues to improve every match."
MATCH BESTS
Kills: U-M 61 (Karen Chase 16); New Mexico 64 (Amber Smith 19)
Assists:Â U-M 52 (Shannon Melka 24); New Mexico 50 (Janelle Torres 46)
Service Aces: U-M 5 (Linsey Ebert 3); New Mexico 8 (Zhao Lu 3)
Digs:Â U-M 70 (Linsey Ebert 13); New Mexico 58 (Janelle Torres 12)
Blocks: U-M 8 (Joanna Fielder 6); New Mexico 13 (Adaline Bouldin 6)
NOTES
• Michigan's victory gives the Wolverines a 1-0 all-time series record vs. New Mexico.
• Joanna Fielder's six blocks are a career high. Her previous best was four vs. Washington on Aug. 30, 1997.
QUOTES
Michigan Head Coach Greg Giovanazzi
On who was key to a Michigan win ... "We got excellent play from both Anne Poglits and Shannon Melka. In addition, Sarah Behnke came through for us with a solid effort."
On Joanna Fielder's performance ... "Joanna led us at the net and played a fine all-around game. Her blocking was definitely a big factor in the outcome."
On playing at "The Pit" ... "New Mexico played tough at home like we knew it would. New Mexico had a good crowd behind it and made it a difficult place for us to leave with a victory."
