2015-16 Season Previews -- Part One
8/19/2015 12:00:00 AM | General
Aug. 19, 2015
On periodic Wednesdays throughout the season, MGoBlue.com will release season previews for upcoming sport seasons. Kicking it off Wednesday (Aug. 19) are previews for the upcoming field hockey, football, men's and women's soccer and volleyball campaigns.
FIELD HOCKEY
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2015 OUTLOOK
The NCAA Championship will be held in Ann Arbor for the first time, and the Wolverines' goal is to be among the final four teams to play on Ocker Field in late November. Defense will again be Michigan's greatest strength with several returning veterans, including senior back Lauren Thomas, a three-time All-Big Ten and NFHCA All-West Region selection, and fifth-year senior back Mackenzie Ellis. Sophomore goalkeeper Sam Swenson, who started 17 of 20 games last year, will look to build off a successful rookie campaign. Michigan boasts several goal-scoring threats from the field, including senior forward Shannon Scavelli -- U-M's top returning goal scoring with seven goals and four assists last season -- junior/sophomore forward Carly Bennett, junior forward Courtney Enge and sophomore midfielder Veerle Lubbers, who paced U-M's scoring in spring exhibition play.
STUDENT-ATHLETE TO WATCH
Caroline Chromik -- Chromik experienced a breakthrough season as a sophomore in 2013, starting 16 of 20 games in the Wolverine backfield, before an ACL tear kept her on the sidelines for all last season. She was outstanding in her return to action last spring, earning high praise from Marcia Pankratz for not missing a step -- in fitness, confidence and decision making -- after such a long hiatus.
KEY COMPETITION
Host NCAA Championships (Nov. 20-22)
Michigan will host the NCAA Field Hockey Championship for the first time in school history. The Wolverines have previously served as a regional host for the NCAA first and second rounds on three occasions (2001, '04, '07). It will be the 16th NCAA Championship that Michigan has hosted on campus since 1932 -- covering eight different sports -- and the fourth since 2005, joining water polo (2005, '11) and men's gymnastics (2014). The Wolverines captured the NCAA title in 2001 -- the first national championship for a women's program at Michigan.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Marcia Pankratz
On Michigan's goal-scoring options ... "We're still navigating our goal-scoring options. It will be fun to see who steps up and really puts that on their shoulders. We have so many different weapons that it'll be hard for other teams to scout and defend. Our athleticism is very good. Player for player, we are athletic, fit and skilled at every position. They are all determined to work hard for Michigan and do their absolute best to win for Michigan."
FOOTBALL
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2015 OUTLOOK
Under first-year J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh, U-M returns 14 total starters (players who made six or more starts in 2014), including eight on defense and six on offense.
In 2014, U-M finished the season ranked seventh in the NCAA in total defense. Returning from that group to lead the way this fall are fifth-year senior linebacker Desmond Morgan, and senior linebackers Joe Bolden and James Ross, both of whom were named to the 2015 Dick Butkus Award Watch List given to the nation's top linebacker.
That trio has 65 starts between them and bolsters a front seven that includes senior defensive tackle Willie Henry and a strong outside pass rush from senior Chris Wormley and junior Taco Charlton.
Junior cornerback Jourdan Lewis headlines the secondary for the Maize and Blue. His 2014 résumé of 39 tackles, six passes defended, two interceptions and 1.5 tackles-for-loss lead all returning Wolverine defensive backs. Seniors Jarrod Wilson and Jeremy Clark bring experience, while sophomore Jabrill Peppers will be looked at as a major contributor with versatility and play-making ability.
On the offensive side of the ball, experienced pass-catchers come in the form of senior wide receivers Jehu Chesson and Amara Darboh, while junior tight end Jake Butt will also look to provide a stable option for the U-M passing attack.
The battle for the starting quarterback position will continue to be waged throughout fall camp. Those competing for the spot under center include junior Shane Morris and fifth-year senior Jake Rudock, among others.
The offensive line is anchored by center Graham Glasgow, who leads the group with 24 career starts under his belt. Sophomore Mason Cole will look to build on a 2014 campaign that saw him earn True Freshman All-America honors from the Sporting News, and junior Kyle Kalis is expected to shore up the interior alongside Glasgow.
They will look to create holes for a stable of running backs that includes juniors Ty Isaac, De'Veon Smith and Derrick Green as well as senior Drake Johnson, who has worked hard to rehab his knee from an injury sustained against Ohio State at the close of last season. For the first time since 2011, a pair of U-M running backs posted multiple 100-plus-yard rushing games (Green, Smith).
STUDENT-ATHLETE TO WATCH
Joe Bolden -- Bolden made a career-high 102 tackles to finish second among all U-M defenders in 2014 after compiling 85 across his first two seasons in Maize and Blue. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native grew stronger down the stretch last fall, making a career-high 14 stops against Maryland (Nov. 22) before adding nine tackles and a QB hit against the Buckeyes in the season finale (Nov. 29). That 102-tackle total from 2014 paces all returning Wolverines, as Bolden looks to lead U-M both on and off the field this fall.
Left: Joe Bolden // Right: Jehu Chesson
KEY COMPETITION
Sept. 3 at Utah
It's always important to get off to a fast start, and with the four-team College Football Playoff system in its second year, that cliché has never been more true. Michigan begins its season with its most highly touted non-conference opponent in Utah. When the Maize and Blue travel to Salt Lake City, the team will look to avenge its 26-10 defeat suffered at the hands of the Utes last fall. The game will also represent the first game for the program under Harbaugh, who is eager for the Wolverines' first victory.
QUOTABLE
J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh
On the team's expectations ... "Our expectations are very high. It'll come through work, but we have no predictions or crystal ball seeing into the future, nor do we want it to be that way. We embrace the fact that there will be great competition and we have to get ourselves prepared for that. (Whichever) team plays together the best as a team is going to stand the best chance of winning, and that's what we're doing now. We're becoming who we're going to become, and we're working to earn whatever we become ... We win as a team. That's the best way and the only way to get it done. And I have sensed that from our team. It's important to them; it means so much to them, that we win for those that want to see us do well, (people) that are for us."
MEN'S SOCCER
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2015-16 OUTLOOK
U-M will enter the fourth season under head coach Chaka Daley in 2015, returning 14 letterwinners and six full-time starters from the 2014 squad.
A strength of the squad figures to be the back line. There is experience abound with juniors Lars Eckenrode, Rylee Woods and Andre Morris, who is back to full health after missing the parts of the last two seasons due to injury, as well as rising sophomore Billy Stevens. The four have combined for 90 starts, while three (Eckenrode, Woods, Stevens) were previously Big Ten All-Freshman Team selections. Sophomore Evan Louro, who split time in goal last season, will be the man between the sticks for U-M and is a former U-20 United States National Team member.
The offense will be paced by stalwarts James Murphy, William Mellors-Blair and 2014 All-Big Ten team member Colin McAtee. Freshman Francis Atuahene also joins the attack after arriving in Ann Arbor as a consensus top-10 recruit.
STUDENT-ATHLETE TO WATCH
Colin McAtee -- McAtee enters the 2015 season coming off a breakout campaign, when he was named an All-Big Ten selection (first team) after leading U-M in goals (eight), points (18) and shots (40). He is one of only four players in U-M history to eclipse the previous season high in goals by at least seven. McAtee scored one goal in both his freshman and sophomore seasons before breaking out with eight as a redshirt junior last season. He is a dynamic midfield/winger that possesses top-shelf pace and an outstanding work rate.
Left: Colin McAtee // Right: William Mellors-Blair
KEY COMPETITION
Oct. 31 vs. Michigan State -- Battle for Big Bear (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Michigan reclaimed the Big Bear Trophy, awarded to the winner of the annual local derby, last season with a road 3-2 win over the Spartans. The trophy was created by former head coach Steve Burns when the program went varsity in 2000. Carved out of driftwood, Michigan has yet to successfully defend the Big Bear Trophy by winning the match in back-to-back seasons. Michigan State was an NCAA Sweet 16 team from a season ago, making sure this Halloween matchup will be a passionate and exciting affair.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Chaka Daley
On offensive cohesion and attacking formation ... "Based on the personalities we have, we can attack as a team. With Colin McAtee, William Mellors-Blair, James Murphy and Francis Atuahene, I think it lends itself to having three up front. Certainly their quality will help relieve some pressure in games, which we haven't had since I've been here. Working together will give us a little more pressure on the opposing defense, and balance the game a little more in our attacking third."
WOMEN'S SOCCER
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2015 OUTLOOK
Under the direction of eighth-year head coach Greg Ryan, Michigan will enter the 2015 season with 22 of 28 letterwinners from 2014's roster, including all except one starter. Following U-M's third straight top-three Big Ten finish in 2014, Michigan was picked to finish second in the 2015 Big Ten Preseason Coaches' Poll. The team will be led by a group of seven senior leaders, including captains Maddie Clarfield, Corinne Harris, Christina Murillo and Christina Ordonez. The Wolverines return 100 percent of their goal scoring (34 goals) from the 2014 season. U-M's 2015 Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch, Corinne Harris (3G, 9A), Ani Sarkisian (4G, 12A) and Nicky Waldeck (12G, 5A), combined for 19 of Michigan's 34 goals (56 percent) and 26 of its 42 assists (62 percent) in 2014.
STUDENT-ATHLETE TO WATCH
Corinne Harris -- Harris is the heartbeat of the 2015 Michigan Wolverines, on and off the field. She is one of four captains and is an extremely hard working team player. In 2014, she recorded three goals and nine assists and was an All-Big Ten second team and All-Great Lakes Region second team member. She will begin the season tied for fourth all-time at U-M in career assists with 20. Harris is known for being all over the field -- defending, attacking, and setting up her teammates.
KEY COMPETITION
Oct. 28 at Penn State
Michigan and Penn State have developed a competitive rivalry in women's soccer in recent years. The two teams are 1-1-2 in the last four meetings and have each finished in the top three in the Big Ten standings in the last three seasons. In this year's Big Ten Preseason Coaches' Poll, Penn State and Michigan were picked to finish first and second, respectively. The Michigan-Penn State matchup is the last of the regular season for both teams.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Greg Ryan
On the team's improvement from last season and what makes this team special ... "We have grown tremendously since last fall. The development of our players over this past year is amazing. The things that make this year's team special are having lots of skill and speed in all positions, and the fact that we are very balanced in defending and attacking -- we have lots of players who can score goals."
VOLLEYBALL
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2015 OUTLOOK
The Wolverines will be deep at a number of positions after returning 13 letterwinners and five starters plus the libero to this year's squad. That includes Cole and senior libero Tiffany Morales, who both spent this summer on the roster of the U.S. Collegiate National Team China Tour. In fact, Michigan had five players that spent the summer either on foreign trips or with the USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team. Sophomore Caroline Knop will be in the back row for the Wolverines and could be a six-rotation player like she was her freshman season, when she averaged 2.70 kills and 2.42 digs per set. The Wolverines must replace Lexi Dannemiller at setter, but senior Carly Warner earned experience last year, playing in 22 matches and being named to two in-season all-tournament teams.
STUDENT-ATHLETE TO WATCH
Abby Cole -- Cole had a breakout season in 2014 for the Wolverines as she was a unanimous selection to the All-Big Ten team and was an AVCA All-North Region selection after leading U-M with 3.67 kills per set and 103 team blocks and setting a Michigan single-season hitting percentage record (.359). Cole also was a unanimous selection to this year's Preseason All-Big Ten team, one of only four players in the conference to have that distinction.
Left: Tiffany Morales // Center: Abby Cole // Right: Caroline Knop
KEY COMPETITION
Nov. 21 vs. Nebraska (at Crisler Center)
Michigan's only regular-season match inside Crisler Center also will be the team's Senior Night and the annual Block Out Bullying match. The Wolverines will look to defeat the Cornhuskers for the second straight season on campus after U-M earned a straight-set win last October. Abby Cole had 19 kills and was named the Big Ten Player of the Week after that victory.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Mark Rosen
On the team's depth going into the 2015 season ... "This has been one of the most exciting preseasons that I can remember as far as training just because of our depth. We have a lot of depth as each position which creates a lot of healthy dynamics. People are pushing and challenging each other. We can make switches and changes and I really like it. It's something that is the antithesis of last year. Last year, we thought we had some depth but injuries early on limited that. It's encouraging and exciting but also creates a new dynamic. We talked as a whole program that our strength could also be our weakness. If our players and coaches don't handle that depth well, if people get frustrated with our roles or don't accept our roles, we could have problems. I think it can be a huge positive but we have to manage it that way and I think, right now, our players are managing that perfectly."
