Michigan
19-12, 9-11
Illinois
19-12, 10-10
Michigan Celebrates Seniors with Four-Set Upset of No. 18 Illinois
11/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
» Freshman libero Jenna Lerg recorded a career-high 29 digs in the final regular-season match of 2015.
» Junior outside hitter Abby Cole totaled a season-high 20 kills in the win.
» The upset of No. 18 Illinois marks Michigan's third win over a ranked opponent this season.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Cliff Keen Arena)
Score: Michigan 3, #18 Illinois 1 (23-25, 25-22, 27-25, 25-20)
Records: U-M (19-12, 9-11 Big Ten), Illinois (19-12, 10-10 Big Ten)
Attendance: 1,800
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Nov. 29 -- NCAA Selection Show (ESPNU), 9 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Backed by a career-high 27 digs from freshman libero Jenna Lerg, the University of Michigan volleyball team fought back from an 0-1 deficit to defeat the visiting No. 18-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini in four sets (23-25, 25-22, 27-25, 25-20) Friday evening (Nov. 27) in Cliff Keen Arena.
The match served as Michigan's senior night, as the Maize and Blue honored the efforts of seniors Krystalyn Goode, Lindsey Lerg, Tiffany Morales, Olivia Reed and Carly Warner.
Illinois took the first set of the match despite a hard-fought Michigan defense. Though the Wolverines took the first point of the set on a kill from junior middle blocker Abby Cole, the Illini quickly tied the score and took a one-point lead, forcing Michigan to play point for point. With the score tied at 20-20, however, the Illini pulled away for a 25-23 first-set victory.
The Wolverines hit the court in set two on a 5-2 run, taking an early lead and never giving it up. Despite trailing by seven at one point, the Illini battled back to come within two of the Maize and Blue at 23-21, but two timely kills from sophomore middle blocker Claire Kieffer-Wright pushed Michigan to a 25-22 set victory to tie the match.
The third set of the night looked much like the first, as the teams battled point for point until Michigan went on a five-point run to go ahead of the Illini, 18-14. Though Illinois eventually took back the lead, another four-point run gave Michigan a 24-23 lead late in the set. Sophomore outside hitter Caroline Knop, Cole and Goode propelled Michigan to a 27-25 third-set victory.
Armed with a 2-1 lead, the Wolverines quickly garnered a 12-8 lead in set four after senior defensive specialist and server Lindsey Lerg led her team on a 6-0 run. From there, Michigan maintained a lead until the Illini tied the match at 20-20. A five-point Michigan run, however, sealed the deal, as four Illinois errors and a kill from freshman outside hitter Carly Skjodt pushed Michigan to a 3-1 upset.
Michigan's extraordinary defense was led by Jenna Lerg, who recorded a career-high 27 digs in the effort. Lindsey Lerg (17), Knop (13) and senior setter Warner (11) also registered double-digit digs in the win.
From the front row, it was Goode who led Michigan with five blocks, while Cole tacked on four. In total, Michigan tallied seven team blocks on 12 block assists and a solo block from Goode.
Offensively, Cole shined with a season-high 20 kills on just 39 attempts for a .436 hitting percentage. Knop recorded 16 kills, and Kieffer-Wright added 13. Goode led the offense in hitting with a .562 mark, posting nine kills on 16 swings.
Overall, Michigan ended the night with a .230 hitting percentage, guided by 54 assists from Warner, who tallied her 16th assist-dig double-double of the season.
The Wolverines tallied 73 kills on the evening to mark a season high. The team's previous high of 66 kills came against Michigan State on Oct. 3 in a five-set victory. The Maize and Blue also recorded 84 digs and finished the match at 65 percent on side-outs.
The Wolverines (19-12, 9-11 Big Ten) now wait to see if they will earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA selection show will air on ESPNU at 9 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 29).
