Michigan
3-5, 0-2Big Ten
Wisconsin
8-2, 2-0Big Ten
Michigan Falls to Ninth-Ranked Badgers in Four Games
9/22/2001 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Site:Â Madison, Wis. (UW Field House)
Result:Â #9 Wisconsin 3, Michigan 1 (30-13, 30-24, 24-30, 30-17)
Records:Â U-M (3-5, 0-2 Big Ten), UW (8-2, 2-0 Big Ten)
Next U-M Match:Â Friday, Sept. 28 -- vs. Iowa (Cliff Keen Arena), 7 p.m.
MADISON, Wis. -- Behind a career night for freshman standout Jennifer Gandolph (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove HS), the University of Michigan volleyball team took No. 9 Wisconsin to four games before falling 30-13, 30-24, 24-30, 30-17 on Saturday (Sept. 22) at the UW Field House. After the entire team struggled in game one, the Wolverines stepped up their defense and offense to battle the Badgers for the final three games. Gandolph led both teams with 17 kills and recorded her second career double-double by adding 15 digs.
In the first game, Wisconsin put together a game that showed why it is the defending NCAA runner-up, although Michigan didn't play poorly. Senior Nicole Kacor (Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley HS) led the Wolverines with four kills on six attempts, but it wasn't enough to overcome Wisconsin's offensive attack. As a team, Michigan dug just four Badger attacks as Wisconsin hit .571 (19-3-28) to win the game 30-13.
In the second game, Wisconsin (8-2, 2-0 Big Ten) came down to earth and Michigan kept up its level of play, resulting in a close game until the last six points. Michigan started out with a one-point lead early in the game and then took a 7-5 lead on a block by Lisa Gamalski (Milwaukee, Wis./Catholic Memorial HS) and Erin Moore (Tiffin, Ohio/Columbian HS). Wisconsin took the lead back and gained a three-point advantage at 16-13 before key kills by Gandolph, Katrina Lehman (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Marian HS) and Moore helped close the game to 20-19. From there, Wisconsin extended the lead and took the game 30-24.
After the break, Michigan (3-5, 0-2 Big Ten) was able to make needed adjustments defensively and received outstanding play from Gandolph to take the third game 30-24. With U-M behind after the first point, sophomore Nicole Poquette (Grand Haven, Mich./Grand Haven HS) netted back-to-back kills to give Michigan a 4-3 lead. The Wolverines stretched the lead to three points before Gandolph killed three out of four points to give Michigan a six-point lead at 18-12. Maintaining the lead through the end, Michigan was able to put the game away on kills by Gandolph and Gamalski.
In the fourth game, the Wolverines were able to maintain the momentum they had from game three. Three kills and a solo block by Moore kept Michigan within one of Wisconsin at 13-12. With the game still close, Wisonsin All-American Sherisa Livingston posted three blocks to help the Badgers make a run and take a 10-point lead at 25-15. From there, Wisconsin put the game away and won 30-17 to take the match.
Michigan returns to the court next Friday (Sept. 28) to face Iowa in the 10th annual "Rock the House" night at 7 p.m. in Cliff Keen Arena.
NOTES
• Michigan's next match is next Friday (Sept. 28) at 7 p.m. against Iowa in Cliff Keen Arena. The Wolverines will be expecting one of their largest crowds of the season for the 10th annual "Rock the House" match, presented by Keebler and Kroger. The first 500 fans will receive free "Rock the House" T-shirts.
QUOTES
Michigan Head Coach Mark Rosen
On the match ... "I'm very proud of how the team played tonight, especially after coming off a tough loss last night at Northwestern. They all played very hard, and there was an increase in both the defensive and offensive play. Wisconsin is a very good team. In the first game, they could do no wrong, but we didn't crumble. We really battled back and stayed with them for the rest of the match."
On individual play ... "Jennifer Gandolph played a great match. Her offensive and defensive play tonight was outstanding. I thought Lisa Gamalski set a great match. Last night she struggled, but she made adjustments tonight and played well. Erin (Moore) and Katrina (Lehman) also did a good job at the net, and Nicole Poquette had a great game. She was effective in the beginning, and we tried to get her the ball more. When we did, she was very ready."
