Michigan
15-4, 3-4Big Ten
Penn State
16-2, 8-0Big Ten
Michigan Drops Homecoming Match at No. 3 Penn State
10/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- The No. 15 University of Michigan volleyball team faced its toughest test of the year at No. 3 Penn State during homecoming week Friday night (Oct. 12), falling 3-0 (30-16, 30-28, 30-22) in Rec Hall.
With the daunting task of knocking off the four-time defending Big Ten champion Nittany Lions on their home court, Michigan showed flashes of brilliance, hanging with PSU for much of the match. Penn State exploded for a 30-16 win in game one, but Michigan showed its true colors in game two in a closely fought, 30-28 squeaker. Penn State's win gives the Lions' their eighth Big Ten sweep of the season and puts them at the head of the conference with an 8-0 record (15-2 overall). Michigan falls to 3-4 in conference matches (15-4 overall).
Fresh off becoming U-M's all-time leader in kills, senior Katie Bruzdzinski (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) finished with a team-high 12 kills, while Michigan's middle tandem of senior Lyndsay Miller (Ida, Mich./Ida) and junior Beth Karpiak (La Grange, Ill./Lyons Township) combined for 17 terminations on Miller's nine and Karpiak's eight. Senior Stesha Selsky (Manhattan Beach, Calif./Marymount) led the way with 13 digs, despite recording just five through the first two periods of play.
The Wolverines held their own through the beginning of game one, taking an 8-7 lead on kills from five separate players. Penn State rallied with an 11-2 run to force U-M to burn both its timeouts in an eventual 30-16 defeat. Miller and Zimmerman each tallied three kills, but nine attack errors to 10 kills was a recipe for U-M's struggles.
Michigan bounced back nicely in game two, leading or being tied for the majority of the action, but the Nittany Lions got hot when it mattered and overcome a 22-21 deficit to win, 30-28. Michigan took a 7-6 lead early and remained ahead or even until the Lions pulled ahead, 19-18. Michigan fought back to lead, 22-21, but a 6-2 run forced U-M to burn its two timeouts, wresting control of the period from the Wolverines. Michigan did survive a pair of game points, pulling within one point of forcing extra action, 29-28, but Penn State was able to put the stanza to bed for a 2-0 lead as it headed into the locker room. Bruzdzinski did her best in the period, recording six kills on 11 swings, while Karpiak added four. Karpiak also added a pair of blocks.
Penn State kept up the pressure in game three, taking a six-point, 15-9 lead midway through the period and holding sway through the duration to close it out, 30-22.
Michigan faces Ohio State (8-8, 2-5 Big Ten) Saturday (Oct. 13) in St. John Arena at 7 p.m.
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N O T E S
Senior Sarah Draves competed in her 50th career match Friday (Oct. 12) against the Nittany Lions.
Penn State has swept all eight of its Big Ten opponents this season.
Contact: Richard Retyi (734) 763-4423
