Weekly Release #14
11/30/1999 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Friday, Dec. 3
University of Michigan vs. Fairfield University, 5 p.m. PST
Colgate University at University of the Pacific, 7:30 p.m. PST
Saturday, Dec. 4
Michigan-Fairfield winner vs. Colgate-Pacific winner, 7 p.m. PST
Wolverines Earn NCAA Tournament Berth
The University of Michigan volleyball team earned its second NCAA Tournament bid in three years after being selected to the 64-team field as an at-large selection. Michigan is in the East Region and faces Fairfield University in Stockton, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 3 (5 p.m. PST) on the campus of the University of the Pacific. The winner of Michigan vs. Fairfield plays the winner of host Pacific vs. Colgate on Saturday, Dec. 4 (7 p.m. PST) in the second round.
Fairfield -- Fairfield (30-3) won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) title with a 9-0 mark ... Fairfield earned the MAAC's lone NCAA bid by winning the conference tournament ... Joanne Saunders is Fairfield's top attacker (5.08 kpg) ... Liz Bower leads the Stags in assists (9.95 apg) ... Fairfield's top blocker is Kim Thomas (0.88 bpg) ... Jen McLaughlin leads Fairfield defensively (3.62 dpg) ... This is Fairfield's third NCAA Tournament appearance ... The Stags are 0-2 all-time at the NCAA Tournament ... Fairfield on the Internet: www.fairfieldstags.com.
Pacific -- Pacific (28-2) is ranked fifth in the nation ... The Tigers earned the Big West's automatic berth by winning the conference with a mark of 15-1 ... Elsa Stegemann leads Pacific in kills (5.05 kpg) ... Tanja Dimitrijevic leads the Tigers in assists (12.11 apg) ... Tracy Chambers leads Pacific in attacking (.396, 283-58-568) and blocks (1.29 bpg) ... The Tigers top digger is Jamie Hamm (3.22 dpg) ... This is Pacific's 19th NCAA Tournament appearance ... Pacific is 36-18 all-time at the NCAA Tournament ... Pacific on the Internet: www.pacifictigers.com.
Colgate -- Colgate (17-17) is the lone NCAA Tournament representative of the Patriot League after defeating Navy (3-2) for the conference tournament title ... Colgate won the Patriot League with a mark of 11-3 ... Lisa Breiner leads Colgate in kills (3.55 kpg) and digs (2.80 dpg) ... Melanie Randall leads Colgate in assists (8.10 apg) ... Laura Rohrbacher leads Colgate in blocks (1.46 bpg) ... This marks Colgate's second appearance at the NCAA Tournament ... The Raiders were 0-1 in their only other NCAA Tournament appearance, in 1996 ... Colgate on the Internet: www.athletics.colgate.edu.
Michigan vs. Fairfield: The Series
Michigan's match vs. Fairfield (Dec. 3) will be the first-ever meeting between the schools. In fact this will be Michigan's initial matchup with a school from the MAAC. Other schools in the MAAC are Canisius, Iona, Loyola (Md.), Marist, Niagara, Siena, St. Peter's and Rider. A potential second-round match with either Pacific or Colgate would also be the first between Michigan and either one of those schools.
Michigan Sweeps Final Two Big Ten Matches
Michigan closed out its regular season in impressive fashion as the Wolverines swept three-game matches from Big Ten foes Michigan State (Nov. 24) and Northwestern (Nov. 26).
In the final home match of the season, Michigan dismantled instate rival Michigan State 3-0 (15-7, 15-5, 15-1) to take the State Pride series for 1999. Joanna Fielder (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor HS) paced the Michigan attack with a hitting percentage of .519 (16-2-27). Michigan's team hitting percentage of .404 (53-13-99) was its best of the season vs. a Big Ten opponent and its second best overall.
The Wolverines then traveled to Northwestern for the final match of the regular season and dumped the Wildcats 3-0 (15-11, 15-6, 15-9). Nicole Kacor (Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley HS) led the Wolverine attack with a double-double in kills (13) and digs (10). Michigan dominated at the net by out-blocking the Wildcats 10-5.
Tourney Bound Again
The Wolverines are headed for their second NCAA Tournament appearance in three years and just the second appearance in the program's history. Michigan's first appearance came in 1997 when it traveled to College Station, Texas, and advanced to the second round. Michigan's won its first-ever NCAA Tournament match with a first-round win over Temple 3-2 (15-8, 6-15, 15-12, 8-15, 15-10), which earned Michigan a second-round meeting with host Texas A&M. Michigan's run ended with a 0-3 (10-15, 6-15, 6-15) loss to the Aggies.
Non-Conference Wins Key NCAA Berth
Although Michigan placed eighth in the Big Ten with a 7-13 record, it was an impressive non-conference slate which helped propel the Wolverines to a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Michigan went 8-1 in the non-conference portion of its schedule, which included wins over tourney-bound teams Brigham Young (3-0), Arkansas (3-1), Virginia (3-0) and Notre Dame (3-1). Michigan's only loss during its non-conference slate was to 10th-ranked Pepperdine.
Michigan's 1999 Non-Conference Results
| 9/3 | vs. #7 Brigham Young | W | 3-0 (15-13, 15-10, 15-13) |
| 9/3 | vs. Toledo | W | 3-0 (15-5, 15-2, 15-5) |
| 9/4 | at Georgia | W | 3-0 (15-12, 15-10, 16-14) |
| 9/10 | vs. Syracuse | W | 3-0 (15-3, 15-8, 15-12) |
| 9/10 | vs. Pepperdine | L | 0-3 (4-15, 11-15, 10-15) |
| 9/11 | vs. 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) |
| 10/5 | at Notre Dame | W | 3-1 (15-11, 8-15, 15-10, 15-10) |
Rosen Accomplishes Michigan First
Michigan head coach Mark Rosen is the first coach in Michigan volleyball history to guide the Wolverines to the NCAA Tournament in his first season as head coach. Since the inception of the NCAA Tournament for women's volleyball in 1982, Michigan has had four new coaches prior to Rosen and none was able to take his team to the NCAA Tournament in his first year. In fact, Rosen is only the second first-year head coach in Michigan volleyball history to record a winning season in his initial campaign. Former Wolverine head coach Greg Giovanazzi led Michigan to a 19-13 record in his first season in 1992.
Back in the Big Dance
Four Wolverines who played in the 1997 NCAA Tournament remain on the current Michigan roster. Seniors Maggie Cooper (Portage, Mich./Portage Northern HS) and Anne Poglits (West Bloomfield, Mich./Livonia Ladywood HS) each played on the 1997 squad. Poglits played in both matches vs. Temple and Texas A&M, contributing two kills, two blocks and a dig, while Cooper played in the match vs. Texas A&M and registered a single dig. Juniors Joanna Fielder and Sarah Behnke (Baroda, Mich./Lakeshore HS) also received action in the tournament. While Fielder's action was limited, Behnke started both matches as a freshman and amassed 12 kills in the win over Temple.
Strength of Schedule
Michigan's rugged schedule was no doubt part of the reason the Wolverines received an at-large selection into the NCAA Tournament. Of Michigan's 29 matches in 1999, 19 came against teams which qualified for the NCAA Tournament. Seven other Big Ten schools (Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan State, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota) also made the Big Ten tournament, with the Wolverines going 3-11 against those squads. However, Michigan managed a 4-1 mark against its five non-conference opponents (BYU, Pepperdine, Arkansas, Virginia and Notre Dame) which were selected to the 1999 NCAA Tournament.
Attacking Shines
Michigan delivered two of its best hitting matches of the season in wins over Michigan State (Nov. 24) and Northwestern (Nov. 26). The Wolverines hit .404 (53-13-99) in their win over Michigan State, which was the best team hitting percentage in Big Ten play and the second best of the season. Only the Wolverines' mark of .449 (44-9-78) vs. Toledo (Sept. 3) bests their effort against the Spartans. Two nights later Michigan traveled to Northwestern (Nov. 26) and came up with its second-best hitting mark (.368, 56-14-114) vs. a Big Ten opponent and third best overall in 1999.
Hitting Her Stride
Michigan middle blocker Joanna Fielder heads into the NCAA Tournament as one of the hottest attackers in the Big Ten. Fielder has hit .333 or better in each of her last four matches, including a season-best .519 (16-2-27) in the Wolverines' win over NCAA Tournament-bound Michigan State (Nov. 24). The matches prior to the Michigan State match against Indiana and Illinois, also NCAA Tournament teams, were also impressive performances by the junior middle blocker. Fielder hit .472 (20-3-36) in the win over Illinois (Nov. 19) and hit .314 (21-5-51) vs. Indiana (Nov. 20).
Settling In
Sophomore setter Shannon Melka (Wheaton, Ill./St. Francis HS) has settled into the Michigan setting duties in her second season after sharing the position a year ago as a true freshman. Melka has been among the Big Ten assist leaders throughout the season and is currently averaging 12.11 dpg. Melka has accumulated 1,247 assists thus far in 1999, giving her 1,881 for her career, which places her fourth on Michigan's all-time list. Melka's attacking has also seen marked improvement throughout 1999 with 73 kills in 103 games played after recording just 13 in 89 games played as a freshman. Melka, who hit .032 (13-11-63) a year ago, is hitting .201 (73-30-214) in 1999. Melka has also upped her digs per game average from 1.93 to 2.26 as a sophomore and recently reached the 400-career dig mark after registering 10 digs vs. Northwestern (Nov. 26).
As Pittenger Goes
Junior outside hitter Alija Pittenger (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial HS) registered her eighth double-double of 1999 in Michigan's win over Michigan State (Nov. 24). Pittenger's performance vs. Michigan State was one of the finest of her career as she registered a career-high hitting percentage of .692 (11-2-13) and compiled a match-high 11 digs. When Pittenger records a double-double, the Wolverines are 6-2 this season.
Block Party
Michigan has out-blocked its opponent in 10 matches this season and has a record of 8-2 in those matches. The most recent instance came in the regular-season finale as the Wolverines dumped the Northwestern while out-blocking the Wildcats 10-5. Michigan's only two losses when winning the blocking battle came at Wisconsin (Oct. 1) and at home vs. Purdue (Nov. 5). For the season, Michigan has been out-blocked by its opponents 246-232.5.
Big Ten Gets Eight Bids
Michigan was one of eight Big Ten schools to receive a bid to the 1999 NCAA Tournament. Top-ranked Penn State received the conference's automatic bid by winning the regular season conference championship with a record of 20-0. Other Big Ten teams (Big Ten record) making the NCAA Tournament include Minnesota (15-5), Wisconsin (14-6), Illinois (12-8), Michigan State (10-10), Ohio State (10-10) and Indiana (10-10). The Big Ten's eight bids is an all-time record for any single conference in the same year. This year the Big 12 was next with six bids, while the Pac-10 received five bids.
Kacor Shows Versatility
Sophomore outside hitter Nicole Kacor has finished the regular season as the first Wolverine to lead Michigan in kills (3.60 kpg), digs (3.62 dpg), and service aces (0.30 sapg) in the same season. Kacor's 3.62 dpg leads the Big Ten, while her 0.30 sapg is seventh in the conference.
Freshman Influence
A pair of Michigan freshmen registered career highs in Michigan's win over Northwestern (Nov. 26) in the regular season-finale. Middle blocker Katrina Lehman (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Marian HS) delivered a career-best hitting percentage (minimum 10 attempts) of .438 (8-1-16), while outside hitter Dana Chapman (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg HS) came off the bench to compile a career-best nine kills and a career-high hitting percentage of .300 (9-3-20). Chapman's previous career-best eight kills came against No. 1 Penn State.
Wolverines Claim State Pride Flag
Michigan's three-game sweep (15-7, 15-5, 15-1) of Michigan State (Nov. 24) allowed the Maize and Blue to win the State Pride series title from its instate rival for the fifth time in the 10-year history of the State Pride series. Michigan State swept Michigan 3-0 (9-15, 6-15, 5-15) earlier in the season (Oct. 13), which left the season series tied at one match and three game apiece. Michigan won the final tiebreaker by outscoring the Spartans in total points 65-58.
Michigan Program Reaches Milestone Win
Not only did Michigan's win over Northwestern (Nov. 26) help propel the Wolverines to a spot in the NCAA Tournament, it was also the 400th win in the 27-year history of the program. Michigan also reached its 70th all-time win at Cliff Keen Arena in the victory over Michigan State (Nov. 24). Michigan first began playing at Cliff Keen Arena in 1989 and has an all-time record of 70-72 at its home facility.
Wolverines Finish Home Schedule with Winning Mark
Michigan finished its 1999 home schedule with a win over instate rival Michigan State (Nov. 24), giving the Wolverines a mark of 7-6 at home in 1999. This is Michigan's first winning record at home since its last NCAA Tournament season of 1997.
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. 28)
BIG TEN OVERALL 1. Penn State 20-0 1.000 30-1 .968 2. Minnesota 15-5 .750 25-8 .758 3. Wisconsin 14-6 .700 21-9 .700 4. Illinois 12-8 .600 16-10 .615 5. Michigan State 10-10 .500 20-12 .625 Ohio State 10-10 .500 16-11 .593 Indiana 10-10 .500 19-10 .655 8. MICHIGAN 7-13 .350 15-14 .517 Purdue 7-13 .350 15-14 .517 10. Iowa 3-17 .150 4-23 .148 11. Northwestern 2-18 .100 4-26 .133
NCAA Tournament First Round
Thursday, Dec. 2
Illinois vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Gainesville, Fla.)
Indiana at Clemson
Friday, Dec. 3
Michigan vs. Fairfield (Stockton, Calif.)
Robert Morris at Penn State
Wisconsin vs. Arizona State (Provo, Utah)
Minnesota vs. Cal State-Sacramento (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Michigan State vs. Cal Poly-SLO (Malibu, Calif.)
Saturday, Dec. 4
Ohio State vs. Notre Dame (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Michigan 1999 Record ...
vs. ranked opponents 3-6 vs. unranked opponents 12-8 ALL three-game matches 9-9 ALL four-game matches 4-2 ALL five-game matches 2-3 BIG TEN three-game matches 4-8 BIG TEN four-game matches 2-2 BIG TEN five-game matches 1-3 in game one (ALL) 16-13 in game two (ALL) 11-18 in game three (ALL) 15-14 in game four (ALL) 8-3 in game five (ALL) 2-3 total games won-lost (ALL) 51-47 total games won-lost (BIG TEN) 26-40 points in total games (ALL) 1,111-1,075 points in total games (BIG TEN) 684-739 at Cliff Keen Arena (home) 7-6 on the road (away/neutral) 8-8
Big Ten Statistical Rankings (through Nov. 21)
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)
WOLVERINE QUICK FACTS
1999 Records
Overall: 15-14 (.517)
Big Ten: 7-13 (.250)
Home: 7-6
Away: 5-8
Neutral: 3-0
Head Coach
Mark Rosen (Cal-State Northridge, 1985)
Overall Record (8th year): 224-51 (.815)
U-M (1st year): 15-14
Big Ten (1st year): 7-13
Assistants
Leisa Rosen (Ohio State, 1992)
June Liu (Northern Michigan, 1996)
1999 Captains
Maggie Cooper (Sr./DS/Portage, Mich.)
Sarah Behnke (Jr./OH/Baroda, Mich.)
U-M History
All-Time: 400-435-7, .479 (1973-present / 27 years)
Big Ten: 99-226, .305 (1973-present / 18 years)
Keen Arena: 70-72, .493 (1989-present / 11 years)
Big Ten Titles: 1981
Postseason Appearances: 1981 (AIAW), 1995 (NIVC), 1997 (NCAA), 1999 (NCAA)
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
