Michigan
Michigan State
Michigan to Host No. 8 MSU in Midweek Rivalry Match
11/14/2017 1:23:00 PM | Volleyball
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This Week:
Wednesday, Nov. 15 -- vs. No. 8 Michigan State (Cliff Keen Arena), 7 p.m.
TV: BTN Plus | Watch | Live Stats
Saturday, Nov. 18 -- vs. No. 15 Purdue (Cliff Keen Arena), 7 p.m.
TV: BTN Plus | Watch | Live Stats
• Complete Notes (PDF) | Tickets (Wednesday match is SOLD OUT)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan volleyball team (17-11, 7-9 B1G) will wrap up a four-match homestand this week in the second-to-last week of the regular season. The Wolverines will first face off against Michigan State on Wednesday night (Nov. 15) before hosting Purdue on Saturday evening (Nov. 18) in what will serve as the Wolverines' senior night and last home match of the 2017 season. Both contests are slated for a 7 p.m. start and will be streamed live on BTN+ (subscription required).
Wolverines at Home
Michigan's senior class has posted a 47-16 record at home over the last three and a half seasons and will look to finish their careers on a high note when playing inside Cliff Keen. Prior to a loss against Minnesota (Oct. 7) which spoiled the Wolverines perfect 8-0 home record, Michigan had only lost three sets when playing at home this season. To date, Michigan is 11-3 when playing at home this year.
Michigan Announces 2018-19 Signing Class
High school seniors Kayla Bair, Paige Jones, Abbey Malinowski, Erin O'Leary and Grace Persson recently signed National Letters of Intent for the 2018-19 academic year, head coach Mark Rosen announced last week (Nov. 9). Comprised of three outside hitters, one setter and one middle blocker, the class of five is Michigan's largest early signee class since 2003. [Release]
Skjodt Leads the Way
Junior outside hitter Carly Skjodt has been instrumental in the Wolverines' success this season. The six-rotation player leads Michigan with 3.61 kills per set and has posted 19 double-digit kill efforts this season alone. The Carmel, Indiana, native also ranks second on the team with 2.13 digs per set.
Kieffer-Wright Steps Up
Senior middle blocker Claire Kieffer-Wright leads the Wolverines with 1.02 blocks per set and a .326 hitting percentage. The senior captain has posted 14 double-digit kill efforts this year and has led the Wolverines in blocking 14 times. Additionally, Kieffer-Wright ranks second on the team with 0.27 service aces per set.
Lerg Anchors the Back Row
Junior libero Jenna Lerg has been a force in the back row for Michigan this season and has started and played every set at that position. She leads the Wolverines with 4.12 digs per set and ranks second on the team with 102 assists. Lerg has recorded 22 double-digit dig efforts this season and has led Michigan in digs 23 times.
Michigan Ranked 34th in Latest RPI
The Wolverines are ranked 34th in the latest RPI (released Nov. 13). The Big Ten Conference makes up six of the spots in the top 20, and nine of the top 40 teams. Penn State sits in the No. 1 spot with a 25-1 record. The first RPI of the season was released on Oct. 2, and Michigan was ranked 27th in that edition.
The Big Ten and the AVCA Poll
The Big Ten Conference has six teams represented in the AVCA Top 25 this week. Penn State (1), Nebraska (6), Minnesota (7) and Michigan State (8) all sit inside the top 10, while Wisconsin (12) and Purdue (15) round out the group. Illinois is also receiving votes.
Scouting the Opposition
No. 8 Michigan State (19-6, 12-4 B1G)
2016 Finish: NCAA Second Round
The Spartans boast a 12-4 Big Ten record and sit in fourth place in the conference. With three wins over top-10 teams this season, the Spartans are 10-2 when playing at home but 5-4 on the road. Michigan State ranks eighth in the nation and leads the country in service aces (147) while ranking 20th in the country and third in the Big Ten in kills (14.34/set). Individually, senior middle blocker Alyssa Garvelink ranks fifth in the Big Ten with a .388 hitting percentage and is closing in the 1,000-kill mark for her career. With Saturday's (Nov. 11) win over Northwestern, head coach Kathy George became the winningest coach in MSU program history.
All-Time History
Record vs. Michigan State: U-M trails 42-53
Michigan and Michigan State have met nearly 100 times since the first battle in 1973, and since then, the matches have been almost evenly split, with MSU owning a slight edge in the all-time series. The in-state foes split their two meetings in 2016, with both teams winning at home. Earlier this season, Michigan State defeated Michigan in four sets at the Spartans' home arena (Oct. 18).
