Michigan
12-3, 2-2
Michigan State
10-5, 2-2
Michigan Rallies from Two Sets Down to Knock Off Michigan State
10/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
» The Wolverines rallied from two sets down for the first time since Nov. 2, 2013 (vs. OSU)
» Adeja Lambert notched a season-high 16 kills to lead Michigan.
» Caroline Knop added a double-double (13 kills, 17 digs) for U-M
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Cliff Keen Arena)
Score: #23 Michigan 3, Michigan State 2 (18-25, 21-25, 25-20, 25-13, 15-11)
Records: U-M (12-3, 2-2 Big Ten), MSU (10-5, 2-2 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Wednesday, Oct. 7 -- at Iowa (Iowa City, Iowa), 7 p.m. CDT.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 23-ranked University of Michigan volleyball team rallied from a two-set hole for a thrilling five-set (18-25, 21-25, 25-20, 25-13, 15-11) win over rival Michigan State in front of a sold-out crowd at Cliff Keen Arena tonight (Saturday, Oct. 3).
For the Wolverines, it was their second five-set win of the season and the first win after trailing by two sets since a five-set win over Ohio State on Nov. 2, 2013, also at Cliff Keen Arena.
Sophomore Adeja Lambert notched season-high 16 kills, sophomore Katherine Mahlke added 14 kills and a team-best .458 hitting percentage and sophomore Caroline Knop added a double-double with 13 kills and 17 digs to lead the Wolverines. Freshman Carly Skjodt joined the trio in double-digit kills, putting down 10 to go with a pair of blocks. After allowing 30 MSU kills over the first two sets, U-M gave up just 26 the rest of the way in the five-set victory.
In the fifth and deciding set, trailing 10-8, Michigan responded after a timeout by head coach Mark Rosen by ripping off the next six points. The run featured three Wolverine blocks, including a pair of solo blocks from Lambert. At 14-11, Lambert closed out the match with a kill off the hand of an MSU defender to give the Wolverines the win.
In the opening set, Michigan fell in an early 7-3 hole on four MSU blocks, forcing an early stoppage by the Wolverines. The Spartans kept at least a two-point cushion the rest of the way as MSU took the first frame, 25-18. MSU hit .429 in the set and tallied 7.0 blocks compared to Michigan's .156 attack percentage and no blocks.
With the second set knotted at 16, MSU used its first timeout of the frame. The Spartans came out of the break by scoring two straight points, resulting in a Michigan timeout. The run did not stop as MSU scored another four straight points, capped by a service ace off the tape for a 22-16 lead. The Wolverines staved off four set points to close within 24-21, but MSU made good on its first play following a timeout to take a 25-21 second-set win and 2-0 lead.
Michigan turned the momentum in its favor at the start of the third set, jumping out to a 7-2 lead, and forcing MSU timeout. The Spartans pulled even at 12-all, but the Wolverines responded with five straight points to give the home team a 17-12 lead. MSU would get no closer than three the rest of the way, and Abby Cole closed it out with a kill off the hand of an MSU middle to give U-M the set at 25-20. The Wolverines finished the frame with a .316 hitting percentage and a match-best 17 kills, with Skjodt (five kills) leading the way.
The Wolverines dominated the fourth set, racing out to a 20-8 lead behind an improved effort on the attack (16 kills, four errors, .387 save percentage). Mahlke closed out the frame with a kill to the opposite corner to set up the exciting finish.
Michigan will continue Big Ten play on the road against Iowa on Wednesday (Oct. 7) at 7 p.m. CDT.
