Weekly Release #13
11/23/1999 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Wednesday, Nov. 24 -- vs. Michigan State (Cliff Keen Arena), 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 26 -- at Northwestern (Evanston, Ill.), 7 p.m. CST
Michigan Closes Out Regular Season
Michigan (13-14, 5-13 Big Ten) plays host to Michigan State University on Wednesday, Nov. 24 (7 p.m.) at Cliff Keen Arena in the final home match of the 1999 campaign. Following their match vs. Michigan State, the Wolverines travel to Northwestern on Friday, Nov. 26 (7 p.m. CST) to close out the season.
Michigan State -- Michigan State (19-11, 9-9 Big Ten) is tied for fifth in the Big Ten ... Sarah Gustin is Michigan State's leader in kills with 4.35 kpg ... Vicki Basil leads the Spartans in assists (13.06 apg) ... Michigan State is led in digs by Maren Witzel (2.39 apg) ... Angela Morley is the top blocker in the Big Ten (1.57 bpg) ... Michigan State has dropped three of its last four matches after winning seven of the previous eight ... The Spartans are 5-5 on the road in 1999 ... Michigan State on the Internet: www.msuspartans.com.
Northwestern -- Northwestern (4-24, 2-16 Big Ten) is in 11th place in the conference ... Carmen Burbach leads the Wildcats in kills (2.76 kpg) ... Kelli Meyer leads Northwestern in assists (10.21 apg) ... Jennifer Zagorski leads the Wildcats in digs (3.23 dpg) and service aces (0.30 sapg) ... Northwestern's top blocker is Kitty Owen (0.81 bpg) ... After losing its first 13 Big Ten matches, Northwestern is 2-3 in its last five ... Northwestern on the Internet: www.nusports.com.
Michigan vs. Michigan State: The Series
In the first meeting this season between these teams, Michigan dropped a 0-3 decision (9-15, 6-15, 5-15) to Michigan State in East Lansing on Wednesday, Oct. 13. Michigan hit its lowest percentage of 1999 in the loss with a mark of -.017 (30-32-118). Michigan was led by freshman middle blocker Katrina Lehman (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Marian HS), who hit .250 (7-3-16). Shannon Melka (Wheaton, Ill./St. Francis HS) delivered 24 assists, while sophomore Nicole Kacor (Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley HS) paced Michigan with 13 digs. Michigan State hit .283 (49-15-120) for the match and was led by Erin Hartley, who hit .600 (16-1-25). The loss was Michigan's fourth straight against the Spartans.
All-Time Series: MSU leads, 36-20-1
In the 1990s: MSU leads, 12-7
Current "W" Streak: MSU, 4
Longest "W" Streak: MSU, 6 (1973-9/19/78)
Michigan vs. Northwestern: The Series
Michigan and Northwestern meet for the second time this season and the 39th time in the series. Michigan pushed to 10 its current win streak over the Wildcats with a 3-1 (15-13, 11-15, 15-6, 15-13) win Oct. 16 at Cliff Keen Arena. Several Wolverines aided the Michigan win, including Joanna Fielder (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor HS), who put up a match-high 20 kills, hit .333 (20-5-45) for the match and led Michigan with six blocks. Junior outside hitter Alija Pittenger (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial HS) had one of the best all-around matches of her career in the win over Northwestern with a hitting percentage of .387 (16-4-31), 23 digs and a season-best seven assists.
All-Time Series: U-M leads, 20-18
In the 1990s: U-M leads, 15-4
Current "W" Streak: U-M, 10
Longest "W" Streak: U-M, 10 (11/26/94-current)
Michigan Splits Pair of Home Matches Over the Weekend
Michigan returned home to Cliff Keen Arena and split two Big Ten Conference tilts last week. The Wolverines defeated Illinois 3-1 on Friday (Nov. 19) but fell to Indiana 1-3 on Saturday (Nov. 20).
Michigan played one of its most complete matches of the season in its 3-1 (15-10, 7-15, 15-12, 15-11) win over Illinois. Michigan's hitting percentage of .310 (81-24-184) was its best against a Big Ten team this season. Joanna Fielder hit a sizzling .472 (20-3-36), while Sarah Behnke (Baroda, Mich./Lakeshore HS) also came up big offensively with a hitting percentage of .400 (21-5-40) for the match.
Michigan's bid for a weekend sweep was denied by Indiana in four games (15-10, 7-15, 10-15, 10-15). Behnke again led Michigan with 22 kills, while Fielder provided great attacking for the second straight match with a hitting percentage of .314 (21-5-51).
Back-to-Back
Junior middle blocker Joanna Fielder delivered 20-plus kills in back-to-back matches for the first time in her career in matches vs. Illinois (Nov. 19) and Indiana (Nov. 20). Fielder compiled 20 kills in the Michigan win over Illinois and then amassed 21 the next night against Indiana. Fielder also had a match-high six blocks in the victory over Illinois, which put over the 200-block mark for her career.
Potential Record-Setter
Joanna Fielder has a pair of Michigan records within her sights heading into the final week of the season. Fielder has collected 74 total blocks in the conference season, which is 11 blocks shy of the Michigan mark for blocks in a conference season. Carla Hunter registered 85 blocks in the conference season in 1988. Fielder also has amassed 64 block assists during the conference campaign, which is 11 shy of the mark of 75, set by Fiona Davidson in 1992.
Milestone Night for Juniors
Both Joanna Fielder and Sarah Behnke surpassed milestones in kills while they combined for 83 kills in weekend matches vs. Illinois (Nov. 19) and Indiana (Nov. 20). Behnke, who paced the Michigan attack with 22 kills vs. Indiana, surpassed the 700-kill mark for her career and now has 711 kills for her career. Fielder, who compiled 21 kills vs. Indiana, surpassed the 600-kill plateau for her career and now has 602 kills for her career.
Versatility
Sophomore Nicole Kacor is on pace to do something no other Wolverine has ever accomplished -- lead the Wolverines in kills, digs and service aces in the same season. Kacor currently leads Michigan in those three categories -- kills (3.61 kpg), aces (0.32 sapg) and digs (3.66 dpg) -- as Michigan heads into is final two matches of the season. Kacor currently has registered 355 digs for the season, which is the fourth highest single-season total at Michigan. Here are the top four Michigan single-season dig totals:
| 403 | Joanna Collias (1992) |
| 399 | Andrea Williams (1985) |
| 383 | Linnea Mendoza (1997) |
| 355 | Nicole Kacor (1999) |
Season Bests
In addition to hitting a Big Ten season-best .310 (81-24-184) in its win over Illinois (Nov. 19), Michigan also recorded a pair of team season highs for a four-game match. Michigan's 81 kills and 13 blocks against Illinois were both Wolverine season bests for a four-game match.
Playing "D"
Michigan junior outside hitter Alija Pittenger accumulated a career-high 24 digs in Michigan's loss to Indiana (Nov. 20). Pittenger is currently third in the Big Ten in digs (3.22 dpg), while teammate Nicole Kacor leads the conference in that department (3.69 dpg).
Speaking of "D"
Senior defensive specialist Maggie Cooper (Portage, Mich./Portage Northern HS) also delivered a career high in digs in the match vs. Indiana (Nov. 20), with 12.
Senior Night
Michigan's match vs. Michigan State on Wednesday (Nov. 24) will be the final home appearance for a pair of Michigan seniors. Maggie Cooper and outside hitter Anne Poglits (West Bloomfield, Mich./Livonia Ladywood HS) have a combined five Academic All-Big Ten citations and seven U-M Athletic Academic Achievement awards to their credit.
Wolverines Even at Home
Michigan enters the final home match of 1999 vs. Michigan State with a home record of 6-6 thus far in 1999. A win over Michigan State would give the Wolverines a winning record at home for the first time since the 1997 NCAA Tournament team went 9-4. The following is a rundown of Michigan at home in 1999.
| 9/10 | Syracuse | W | 3-0 (15-3, 15-8, 15-12) |
| 9/10 | Pepperdine | L | 0-3 (4-15, 11-15, 10-15) |
| 9/11 | Arkansas | W | 3-1 (15-8, 15-8, 9-15, 15-10) |
| 9/24 | Ohio State | W | 3-2 (15-7, 13-15. 15-10, 13-15, 20-18) |
| 9/25 | Penn State | L | 0-3 (2-15, 5-15, 3-15) |
| 10/8 | Minnesota | L | 0-3 (9-15, 10-15, 12-15) |
| 10/9 | Iowa | W | 3-0 (17-15, 15-4, 15-10) |
| 10/16 | Northwestern | W | 3-1 (15-13, 11-15, 15-6, 15-13) |
| 11/5 | Purdue | L | 2-3 (7-15, 11-15, 15-3, 19-17, 12-15) |
| 11/6 | Wisconsin | L | 2-3 (4-15, 11-15, 15-10, 15-8, 15-9) |
| 11/19 | Illinois | W | 3-1 (15-10, 7-15, 15-12, 15-11) |
| 11/20 | Indiana | L | 1-3 (15-10, 7-15, 10-15, 10-15) |
| 11/24 | vs. Michigan State | | |
Wolverines and Spartans Continue State Pride Rivalry
Michigan and Michigan State do battle for the 58th time on Wednesday (Nov. 24) and for the 10th consecutive season the two schools will duel for the "State Pride" season series. Michigan State holds a 5-4 "State Pride" season series advantage after claiming victory in both 1998 tilts. Michigan State holds a 3-0 advantage in games for the 1999 "State Pride" title after sweeping Michigan earlier this season in East Lansing (Oct. 13).
"State Pride" Champion Criteria
History of "State Pride" Champions
| 1990 | Michigan (total games, 5-4) |
| 1991 | Michigan (total points, 130-117) |
| 1992 | Michigan (matches, 2-0) |
| 1993 | Michigan State (total games, 5-3) |
| 1994 | Michigan State (total games, 5-4) |
| 1995 | Michigan State (matches, 2-0) |
| 1996 | Michigan State (matches, 2-0) |
| 1997 | Michigan (total points, 101-89) |
| 1998 | Michigan State (matches, 2-0) |
Michigan Battles One More 1998 NCAA Tournament Team
Michigan's rugged 1999 schedule continues with one final match, vs. Michigan State, against a team that appeared in the 1998 NCAA Tournament. In all, 18 of Michigan's 30 1999 matches come against teams which qualified for the 1998 tourney field. So far Michigan is 7-10 against those teams, but is 4-1 against non-conference opponents which were in the tournament in 1998.
| 9/3 | vs. Brigham Young | W | 3-0 (15-13, 15-10, 15-13) |
| 9/10 | Pepperdine | L | 0-3 (4-15, 11-15, 10-15) |
| 9/11 | Arkansas | W | 3-1 (15-8, 15-8, 9-15, 15-10) |
| 9/17 | at South Carolina | W | 3-2 (11-15, 10-15, 17-15, 16-14, 15-11) |
| 9/18 | vs. Virginia | W | 3-0 (15-9, 15-13, 15-5) |
| 9/24 | Ohio State | W | 3-2 (15-7, 13-15, 15-10, 13-15, 20-18) |
| 9/25 | Penn State | L | 0-3 (2-15, 5-15, 3-15) |
| 10/1 | at Wisconsina | L | 0-3 (9-15, 4-15, 14-16) |
| 10/5 | at Notre Dame | W | 3-1 (15-11, 8-15, 15-10, 15-10) |
| 10/13 | at Michigan State | L | 3-0 (9-15, 6-15, 5-15) |
| 10/22 | at Indiana | L | 0-3 (8-15, 11-15, 10-15) |
| 10/23 | at Illinois | L | 1-3 (7-15, 15-7, 5-15, 4-15) |
| 11/6 | vs. Wisconsin | L | 2-3 (4-15, 11-15, 15-10, 15-8, 15-9) |
| 11/12 | at Penn State | L | 0-3 (2-15, 11-15, 6-15) |
| 11/14 | at Ohio State | L | 0-3 (6-15, 6-15, 8-15) |
| 11/19 | vs. Illinois | W | 3-1 (15-10, 7-15, 15-12, 15-11) |
| 11/20 | vs. Indiana | L | 1-3 (15-10, 7-15, 10-15, 10-15) |
| 11/24 | vs. Michigan State | | |
1999 Season Match Bests
Team
Kills 87, vs. Purdue (11/5) Attempts 250, at Purdue (10/2) Hit Pct. .449 (44-9-78), vs. Toledo (9/3) Assists 84, vs. Purdue (11/5) Service Aces 13, vs. South Carolina (9/17) Digs 90, at Purdue (10/2) Block Solo 3, vs. Northwestern (10/16) Block Assist 34, vs. Purdue (11/5) Total Blocks 17, vs. Purdue (11/5)
Individual
Kills 25, Nicole Kacor vs. South Carolina (9/17) 25, Joanna Fielder at Purdue (10/2) Attempts 71, Nicole Kacor at Purdue (10/2) Hit Pct. .733 (11-0-15), A. Maxwell vs. Syracuse (9/10) Assists 70, Shannon Melka vs. Purdue (11/5) Service Aces 5, Alija Pittenger at Iowa (10/29) 5, Shannon Melka vs. Purdue (11/5) Digs 26, Nicole Kacor at Purdue (10/2) Block Solo 2, Sarah Behnke vs. Purdue (11/5) 2, Sarah Behnke vs. Illinois (11/19) Block Assist 10, Joanna Fielder vs. Ohio State (9/24) Total Blocks 10, Joanna Fielder vs. Ohio State (9/24)
Big Ten Conference Team Records (through Nov. 21)
BIG TEN OVERALL 1. Penn State 18-0 1.000 28-1 .966 2. Minnesota 14-4 .778 24-7 .774 3. Wisconsin 13-5 .722 20-8 .714 4. Illinois 11-7 .611 15-9 .625 5. Michigan State 9-9 .500 19-11 .633 Ohio State 9-9 .500 15-10 .600 7. Indiana 8-10 .444 17-10 .630 8. Purdue 7-11 .389 15-12 .556 9. MICHIGAN 5-13 .278 13-14 .481 10. Iowa 3-15 .167 4-21 .160 11. Northwestern 2-16 .111 4-24 .143
This Week in the Big Ten
Wednesday, Nov. 24
Michigan State at Michigan
Friday, Nov. 26
Minnesota at Illinois
Iowa at Indiana
Michigan at Northwestern
Purdue at Ohio State
Wisconsin at Penn State
Saturday, Nov. 27
Iowa at Illinois
Minnesota at Indiana
Michigan State at Northwestern
Wisconsin at Ohio State
Purdue at Penn State
Michigan 1999 Record ...
vs. ranked opponents 3-6 vs. unranked opponents 10-8 ALL three-game matches 7-9 ALL four-game matches 4-2 ALL five-game matches 2-3 BIG TEN three-game matches 2-8 BIG TEN four-game matches 2-2 BIG TEN five-game matches 1-3 in game one (ALL) 14-13 in game two (ALL) 9-18 in game three (ALL) 13-14 in game four (ALL) 8-3 in game five (ALL) 2-3 total games won-lost (ALL) 45-47 total games won-lost (BIG TEN) 20-40 points in total games (ALL) 1021-1036 points in total games (BIG TEN) 594-700 at Cliff Keen Arena (home) 6-6 on the road (away/neutral) 7-8
Big Ten Statistical Rankings
ALL GAMES TEAM INDIVIDUAL Hit Pct. 9th (.189) Assists 8th (13.82) Shannon Melka, 7th (12.35) Blocks 7th (2.24) Kills 9th (15.33) Aces 8th (1.35) Nicole Kacor, 7th (0.32) Digs 2nd (15.47) Nicole Kacor, 1st (3.74) Alija Pittenger, 2nd (3.28) BIG TEN TEAM INDIVIDUAL Hit Pct. 9th (.168) Assists 9th (13.67) Shannon Melka, 8th (12.41) Blocks 8th (2.22) Joanna Fielder, 10th (1.16) Kills 9th (15.06) Aces 8th (1.20) Alija Pittenger, 8th (0.32) Digs 3rd (15.52) Nicole Kacor, 1st (3.86) Alija Pittenger, 5th (3.19)
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
