Michigan
2-0
Georgetown
2-1
Michigan Upends Georgetown for Second Straight Win
9/5/1998 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Site:Â Washington, D.C.
Score:Â Michigan 3, Georgetown 1 (9-15, 15-7, 15-7, 15-6)
Team Records:Â U-M (2-0), Georgetown (2-1)
Next Match:Â Saturday, Sept. 5 -- vs. Temple (Washington, D.C.), 4 p.m.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Following a season-opening win against Maryland, the University of Michigan volleyball team posted another solid victory with a four-game win (9-15, 15-7, 15-7, 15-6) over host Georgetown University on Saturday (Sept. 5) at the Georgetown Acumen Classic.
After dropping the opening game of the match, Michigan came together once again behind the excellent play of Karen Chase (Orinda, Calif./Miramonte HS) to win the final three games. Chase led Michigan with four blocks while pitching in with nine kills. Reaching double digits in kills for the second consecutive match was Jeanine Szczesniak (Evergreen Park, Ill./Mother McAuley HS), who led Michigan with 11 kills and an attack percentage of .409 (11-2-22). As they did against Maryland on Friday, the Wolverines played well at the net by out-hitting (45 kills to 39) and out-blocking (12-7.5) the Hoyas.
Michigan's young setting combination of Alija Pittenger (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial HS) and Shannon Melka (Wheaton, Ill./St. Francis HS) showed themselves very well as they combined for 36 assists. Melka also contributed four service aces to complete her solid all-around effort and help Michigan to victory in its first-ever meeting with Georgetown.
MATCH BESTS
Kills:Â U-M 45 (Jeanine Szczesniak 11); Georgetown 39 (Kiran Gill 14)
Assists:Â U-M 44 (Alija Pittenger 23); Georgetown 35 (Taryn Turney 17)
Service Aces:Â U-M 10 (Shannon Melka 4); Georgetown 9 (Kiran Gill 4)
Digs:Â U-M 41 (two tied with 8); Georgetown 50 (Kiran Gill 9)
Blocks:Â U-M 12 (Karen Chase 4); Georgetown 7.5 (Meg Troller 4)
NOTES
• Michigan begins the season 2-0 for the first time since 1995, when the Wolverines beat Tulane and William & Mary at the Georgia Bulldog Invitational.
• Georgetown is the lone Big East Conference team on the Michigan schedule for 1998.
QUOTES
Michigan Coach Greg Giovanazzi
On the play of Karen Chase ... "Once again Chase was our best player, she dominated at the net and played a real good all-around game."
On the victory over Georgetown ... "This is a very good win for us because Georgetown is a good team who beat Temple last night in a tough five-set match."
