Michigan
9-0
Oakland
4-7
Miller, Karpiak Power Wolverines Past Golden Grizzlies
9/11/2007 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. -- The No. 10 University of Michigan volleyball team won a rare midweek non-conference away match Tuesday night (Sept. 11), downing the Oakland University Grizzlies in three games (30-21, 30-24, 30-27).
Senior Katie Bruzdzinski (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) led the offensive attack with 15 kills, including seven in the first frame, while her two service aces pushed her into fourth place on U-M's all-time aces list. Senior Lyndsay Miller (Ida, Mich./Ida) had 13 kills on the night and had a sparkling first two games, hitting .846 through the first two frames with 11 kills on 13 swings. Junior Beth Karpiak (LaGrange, Ill./Lyons Township) had a consistent match with 11 kills and two blocks, while on defense senior Stesha Selsky (Manhattan Beach, Calif./Marymount) and sophomore Megan Bower (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) had 19 and 18 digs, respectively.
Oakland opened up with a roar, taking a 7-5 lead before senior Sarah Draves' (Ypsilanti, Mich./Ypsilanti) second kill of the night sent Bower to the service line, sparking an 8-0 Wolverine run that put U-M ahead six, 13-7. From there Michigan tore on a 7-3 run, taking a 20-10 lead and exhausting both of Oakland's timeouts. The Wolverines cruised down the stretch with four kills from Bruzdzinski and a pair from Miller to win 30-21.
Oakland once more roared early in game two, battling tooth and claw with Michigan through four ties to have the score knotted at 8-8. Miller then took control, recording seven kills through the heart of the period to propel the Wolverines. With Michigan ahead four, 21-17, on Miller's 11th kill, Karpiak struck twice and Draves once to put U-M up 24-19 and burn the Grizzlies' final timeout. Five separate Wolverines combined for kills down the stretch, including sophomore Cassie Petoskey's (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer) first collegiate termination, to put the Grizzlies away, 30-24.
The dogged Grizzlies would not go quietly in game three, rebounding from an early deficit to tie it at 16-16 midway through the frame before the Wolverines could put their stamp on the period. Michigan drove ahead by four, 23-19, until a late 7-2 Grizzlies run flipped the Wolverines' fortunes and gave the home OU squad a 26-25 lead. Michigan battled back to tie it at 26-26 on a kill by Rood, then Rood put U-M ahead 28-27. Bruzdzinski struck next for the Wolverines to force match point at 29-27, and Miller put the contest away with her 12th kill of the night to give U-M a 30-27 final.
Michigan will host the Michigan/Nike Invitational Friday and Saturday (Sept. 14-15), opening up with Utah Valley State on Friday at 11 a.m. at Cliff Keen Arena.
Contact: Richard Retyi (734) 763-4423
