Wolverines Drop Big Ten Opener to Boilermakers in Four Games
9/25/1998 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Site:Â Ann Arbor, Mich. (Cliff Keen Arena)
Score:Â Purdue 3, Michigan 1 (6-15, 15-12, 15-8, 15-8)
Team Records:Â U-M (8-3, 0-1 Big Ten), Purdue (7-3, 1-0 Big Ten)
Next Match:Â Saturday, Sept. 26 -- vs. Illinois (Cliff Keen Arena), 7 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. --Â The University of Michigan volleyball team began the Big Ten Conference campaign in front of its home crowd but dropped a tough four-game match to visiting Purdue (15-6, 12-15, 8-15, 8-15) on Friday (Sept. 25).
In game one, Purdue opened up the scoring with a 2-0 lead only to see the Wolverines run off nine consecutive points to take control. Michigan went on to win its only game of the match 15-6 behind a team attack percentage of .326 (18-4-43). Karen Chase (Orinda, Calif./Miramonte HS) led the way as she recorded eight of her match-high 21 kills in game one.
A 2-0 Michigan lead in game two was quickly erased by Purdue as the Boilermakers eventually stretched their lead to 8-4. The Maize and Blue cut Purdue's lead to one at 11-10 but could not get any closer as the Boilermakers evened up match at one game apiece with a 15-12 win.
Game three also included an early Michigan lead of 2-0 and a Purdue comeback. This time the Boilermakers came back and took a commanding 10-3 lead before the Wolverines closed to within two at 10-8. From there Purdue regained control and posted a 15-8 win.
Purdue ended the match in game four with a 15-8 win. Michigan's only lead came at 5-4 and was sparked by freshman Nicole Kacor's (Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley HS) play in the backcourt as well as at the net. However, Purdue quickly regained the lead at 6-5. After grabbing the lead, Purdue did not look back and finished off the Wolverines in four games.
Michigan continues its weekend homestand against 24th-ranked Illinois Saturday (Sept. 26) at 7 p.m.
MATCH BESTS
Kills: U-M 68 (Karen Chase 21); Purdue 63 (Bev Krupa 20)
Assists:Â U-M 62 (Alija Pittenger 33); Purdue 56 (Taryn Catlin 42)
Service Aces: U-M 3 (Linsey Ebert 2); Purdue 2 (Colleen Henican 2)
Digs: U-M 76 (Alija Pittenger 13); Purdue 70 (two tied with 17)
Blocks: U-M 8 (three tied with 3); Purdue 12 (Connie Paul 5)
NOTES
• Michigan dropped its Big Ten home opener for the first time since 1994.
• The Wolverines' 184 kill attempts are the most they have recorded in 1998. The previous high was 168 vs. San Diego (Sept. 19).