Michigan
Minnesota
U-M to Open Big Ten Play at No. 1 Minnesota, No. 5 Wisconsin
9/19/2017 5:05:00 PM | Volleyball
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This Week:
•  at Minnesota (Sept. 22, 7 p.m. CDT): BTN Plus | Live Stats
•  at Wisconsin (Sept. 24, 2 p.m. CDT): WatchESPN | Live Stats
• Complete Notes (PDF)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 20-ranked University of Michigan volleyball team (10-2) will begin Big Ten Conference play this weekend (Sept. 22-24) on the road. The Wolverines will first head to No. 1-ranked Minnesota (11-0) on Friday night (Sept. 22) before wrapping up the weekend with a match against No. 5-ranked Wisconsin (9-0) on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 24). Fans can tune in live to Friday's match with a BTN Plus subscription, and can watch Sunday's match live on ESPN.
Michigan and the AVCA Poll
With clean sweeps of N.C. State, Milwaukee, and Cincinnati last weekend to wrap up non-conference play, Michigan rose one spot in the AVCA Poll this weekend and is now ranked 20th. The Wolverines began the season ranked 16th in the preseason poll. Michigan finished the 2016 campaign ranked No. 12 and captured multiple victories over ranked opponents, including home wins over Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State and Oregon.
The Big Ten and the AVCA Poll
With a No. 20 ranking in hand, Michigan is one of six Big Ten Conference teams represented in the AVCA Top-25 this week. Minnesota (1), Penn State (2), and Wisconsin (5) currently sit inside the top five, while Purdue (13), Nebraska (14), and Michigan (20) sit inside the top 20. Michigan State, Illinois, and Maryland are also receiving votes in the poll.
Stat Breakdown
Michigan enters the week ranked first in the prestigious Big Ten and sixth in the country with an average of 14.69 kills per set. The Wolverines' .291 team hitting percentage also ranks sixth in the Big Ten and 15th in the country, while the Wolverines rank fourth in the Big Ten and 14th in the nation with 13.51 assists per set.
Four Wolverines Named to Michigan Challenge All-Tournament Team
With three sweeps at the Michigan Challenge to wrap-up non-conference action, the Wolverines saw four players named to the All-Tournament team. Outside hitter Carly Skjodt was named the MVP of the tournament after posting a .346 attack average with 4.11 kills per set. She was later named the Big Ten Player of the Week. Senior Adeja Lambert, junior Jenna Lerg, and sophomore MacKenzi Welsh were also named to the team.
Up Next
Following trips to Minnesota (Sept. 22) and Wisconsin (Sept. 24) to kick off Big Ten Play, the Wolverines will return home for their Big Ten home opener with a Friday night (Sept. 29) match against rival Ohio State inside Crisler Center. [Tickets]
Scouting the Opposition
#1 Minnesota (11-0)
2016 Finish: Final Four
All-time record against: U-M trails 16-49
The Golden Gophers will enter the week ranked No. 1 in the AVCA poll with a perfect 11-0 record, while only dropping five sets. So far, Minnesota has compiled wins over top programs such as UNC and Texas, and has played only three matches at home so far this season. To date, the Gophers currently rank tied-for-fourth in the Big Ten with a .301 team hitting percentage and third in the conference with 16.53 digs per set. Offensively, freshman opposite hitter Stephanie Samedy leads the Big Ten with 4.55 kills per set, while junior setter Sam Seliger-Swenson ranks second in the country with 12.26 assists per set.
#5 Wisconsin (9-0)
2016 Finish: Elite Eight
All-time record against: U-M trails 20-55
The Badgers will enter the weekend ranked No. 5 in the AVCA poll with a flawless 9-0 record and just one set dropped this season. Wisconsin is currently ranked third in the country with a .347 team attack average, sixth with 3.21 blocks per set, and ninth with 13.79 assists per set. Individually, freshman middle blocker Dana Rettke ranks fifth in the nation with a .479 attack average, and is tied for third in the conference and 12th in the country with teammate Tionna Williams with 1.57 blocks per set.
