Michigan
18-11, 8-10
Nebraska
24-4, 15-3
Knop's Career Day Not Enough as Michigan Falls to No. 6 Huskers
11/22/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
» Sophomore outside hitter Caroline Knop recorded a career-high 20 kills on a .421 attack average.
» Senior setter Carly Warner tallied a season-high 53 assists, while senior/junior outside hitter Kelly Murphy recorded a season-high 13 kills.
» Five Wolverines registered double-digit digs for the first time since a five-set match against Illinois on Nov. 1, 2014.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Center)
Score: #6 Nebraska 3, Michigan 1 (25-19, 22-25, 25-22, 25-19)
Records: U-M (18-11, 8-10), Nebraska (24-4, 15-3)
Attendance: 2,585
Next U-M Event: Wednesday, Nov. 25 -- at Indiana (Bloomington, Ind.), 6 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Despite a career day from Caroline Knop and season highs from Carly Warner (53 assists) and Kelly Murphy (13 kills), the University of Michigan volleyball team dropped a 3-1 (25-19, 22-25, 25-22, 25-19) contest to the visiting No. 6 Nebraska Cornhuskers Saturday evening (Nov. 21) at Crisler Center.
Michigan took the first point of the match on a Nebraska attack error, but the Cornhusker offense never let up from there. The first set of the night saw five tie-scores and three lead changes, but it was the visiting Huskers who pulled away for a six-point lead multiple times during the set. Although Knop and Murpy picked up four kills in that set, Nebraska's .267 attack average propelled it to a 25-19 victory.
Both teams hit the court in the second set with an offensive attack, but it was Michigan which prevailed in a 25-22 set victory. Garnering a lead early on, the Wolverines never trailed during the second set of the evening, earning a .583 attack average and allowing just one attack error. Abby Cole led the way with eight kills in the set on an impressive .727 attack average, while Knop picked up six kills on a .667 hitting percentage.
With the score tied at 1-1 following intermission, Michigan jumped out ahead early in set three, taking a five-point lead early on. Nebraska was relentless in its offense, however, taking a lead at 16-15 on a 6-1 run. From there, Michigan tied the score twice, but it was the Huskers who took home a 25-22 third-set victory.
Trailing 2-1, the Wolverines were held to a .163 attack average in the fourth and final set of the night. This time it was the Huskers who took an early lead and pulled ahead, and a late offensive surge was not enough for the Wolverines as Nebraska took home a 25-19 set win and a 3-1 match victory.
The loss snaps a two-game win streak for the Maize and Blue, which recently picked up victories over No. 14 Ohio State and No. 4 Penn State.
In spite of the loss, Knop rallied for a career-high 20 kills in the effort, while Cole registered 17 kills, and Murphy tacked on a season-high 13. Knop also tallied 10 digs in the effort, earning her eighth kill-dig double-double of the year.
Guiding Michigan's offense was senior setter Warner, who recorded a season-high 53 assists on the night and led U-M in digs with 13. The performance marks her 15th assist-dig double-double of the season, as well as her fourth straight.
In addition to Knop and Warner, three other Wolverines tallied double-digits digs in the effort, including Jenna Lerg (11), Tiffany Morales (10) and Lindsey Lerg (10). From the front row, senior middle blocker Krystalyn Goode led Michigan in blocking with five blocks, while Cole tallied four and Claire Kieffer-Wright picked up three.
Michigan will compete in its last regular-season road match with a contest on Wednesday (Nov. 25) at Indiana. First serve for the midweek match is slated for 6 p.m. in Bloomington.
