Michigan
2-0
Auburn
1-1
Michigan Sweeps Auburn, War Eagle Invitational
8/25/2018 11:04:00 PM | Volleyball
» Senior libero Jenna Lerg posted her second-straight 20-dig performance with 24 through three sets.
» Junior setter MacKenzi Welsh recorded her second consecutive double-double behind 41 assists and 10 digs.
» Michigan will return to action next week for its 2018 home opener on Friday (Aug. 31).
Site: Auburn, Ala. (Auburn Arena)
Event: War Eagle Invitational
Score: Michigan 3, Auburn 0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-22)
Records: U-M (2-0), AU (1-1)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Aug. 31 -- vs. Cleveland State (Cliff Keen Arena), 7 p.m.
AUBURN, Ala. -- The University of Michigan volleyball team picked up its second straight 3-0 sweep (25-22, 25-20, 25-22) as the Wolverines defeated the host Auburn Tigers on Saturday evening (Aug. 25) in the second and final match of the War Eagle Invitational at Auburn Arena. Earlier in the day, Michigan defeated High Point, by a 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-22) score.
Senior libero Jenna Lerg posted her second straight 20-dig performance as she led all players with 24 digs through just three sets. Junior setter MacKenzi Welsh also recorded her second consecutive double-double with 41 assists and 10 digs.
Senior Carly Skjodt led all players with 14 kills in the effort, while junior Sydney Wetterstrom finished with 11 at a .296 clip. Freshman Paige Jones totaled nine kills in her second career start and middle blockers Cori Crocker and Kiara Shannon each added six.
The Wolverines took a 5-3 lead in the first set on back-to-back kills from Crocker, but six consecutive Auburn points put the Tigers up, 12-11. The teams traded points from there until a cross-court kill from Wetterstrom gave Michigan a two-point edge, 17-15. Auburn fought to tie the score at 20 and 21, but a kill from Crocker and a service ace from Jones put the Wolverines up, 23-21, and forced an Auburn timeout. The Wolverines capitalized on a .317 attack average and four kills from three separate players to take the first set, 25-22.
Auburn dominated the start of the second set and led by as many as four points before the Wolverines came from behind to tie things up at 11. The teams traded points and tied the score four more times before consecutive Tiger errors and a kill from Skjodt put the Wolverines ahead, 18-15, and forced Auburn to burn a timeout. From there, Michigan continued to take advantage of Auburn's many miscues in the set and held the Tigers to a .085 attack average as the Wolverines clinched set two, 25-20.
Michigan dominated the majority of the third and final set, posting a .308 attack average behind six kills from Wetterstrom and four from Skjodt. The Tigers did rally to tie the score at 19, but a kill from Wetterstrom gave Michigan a defining lead and the Wolverines used the momentum to clinch the third set, 25-22.
Tweet of the Match
2-0! #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/RL33P48kAz
— Michigan Volleyball (@umichvball) August 26, 2018
Michigan (2-0) will return to play on Friday (Aug. 31) as the Wolverines host Cleveland State in their 2018 home opener and the first match of the Michigan Invitational Tournament. First serve is set for 7 p.m. inside Cliff Keen Arena.
