Michigan
21-6, 9-6Big Ten
Ohio State
11-16, 2-13Big Ten
Wolverines Stifle Buckeyes in Three Sets
11/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Result: #19 Michigan 3, Ohio State 0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-15)
Records: U-M (21-6, 9-6 Big Ten), Ohio State (11-16, 2-13 Big Ten)
Attendance: 895
Next U-M Event: Friday, Nov. 14 -- vs. Michigan State (Cliff Keen Arena), 7 p.m.
Boxscore | Notes & Quotes | Photo Gallery
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Sophomore setter Lexi Zimmerman's (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) 32 assists piloted a balanced Michigan offensive attack to the tune of a .366 team-attack percentage as the No. 19-ranked University of Michigan volleyball team swept past Ohio State, 25-16, 25-14, 25-15, on Wednesday night (Nov. 12) in Cliff Keen Arena.
In the opening set, Michigan raced out to an early 10-5 lead thanks in part to four Wolverines registering early kills. The offensive explosion continued throughout the opening frame as Michigan outhit Ohio State .364 to .031 on its way to an easy 25-16 win. Juniors Juliana Paz(Porto Alegre, Brazil/Iowa Western CC) and Megan Bower(Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) each had four kills, while freshman/sophomore Karlee Bruck(Elyria, Ohio/Elyria) added three.
Michigan held just a one-point advantage, 8-7, early in set two. From that point, the Wolverine widened the gap with a 5-0 run spearheaded by back-to-back kills from Zimmerman, forcing an Ohio State timeout. The Buckeyes trimmed the lead to three, 13-10, before Michigan reeled off 12 of the next 16 points to take the set, 25-14. Bower, Bruck, Zimmerman, Paz and freshman Alex Hunt(Granger, Ind./South Bend St. Joseph) each had three kills in the set, while Zimmerman also dished out 11 assists. The Michigan defense played a big role, registering 15 digs and three blocks and held Ohio State to a -.030 attack percentage.
In set three, the Wolverines opened up a 12-6 early advantage on kills by senior Beth Karpiak(LaGrange, Ill./Lyons Township), Paz and Bruck, as well as several unforced Buckeye errors. After an OSU timeout, the Wolverines accelerated by scoring eight-of-12 points to take a 20-12 lead and force another Buckeye stoppage. Down the stretch, it was Zimmerman who closed out Ohio State with back-to-back kills for a 25-15 win.
The Wolverines posted one of their most balanced offensive nights to date to sweep the season series against the Buckeyes as seven different spikers registered kills, led by Paz with 10. Bruck posted a career night percentage-wise, registering a Michigan individual-season and career-best .818 (9-of-11) attack percentage. Zimmerman finished the night with six kills and nine digs in addition to her 32 helpers. The Michigan defense held Ohio State to its second-lowest hitting percentage of the season (.021) and outblocked the Buckeyes seven to five.
The Wolverines have a short turnaround as they stay home and continue rivalry week with a Big Ten matchup against Michigan State on Friday night (Nov. 14) at 7 p.m. in Cliff Keen Arena.
Contact: Matt Fancett (734) 763-4423
