Wolverines to Maize Out Crisler for Wednesday's Match vs. Spartans

THIS WEEK
Wednesday, Nov. 6 -- vs. Michigan State (Crisler Center), 7 p.m.
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan volleyball team (15-7, 8-4 Big Ten) welcomes rival Michigan State for a midweek "Maize Out" matchup Wednesday (Nov. 6) at 7 p.m. in Crisler Center.

Against the Top 25

Last Friday's (Nov. 1) win at No. 19-ranked Illinois marked Michigan's first win over an AVCA Top 25 team in 2019. The Wolverines are now 1-4 against ranked opponents and will play No. 21 Illinois Saturday (Nov. 9) in Cliff Keen Arena. Michigan snapped a 10-match losing streak in Huff Hall when it took down Illinois, 3-1.

The Million Dollar Quartet

The Wolverines had four player reach double-digit kills in both matches last weekend, marking the first time U-M accomplished that feat in back-to-back matches since the 2016 season. In fact, when Paige Jones (15), Sydney Wetterstrom (13), May Pertofsky (13), and Jess Robinson (11) all reached double-digit kills against Illinois (Nov. 1), it was the first time since Dec. 1, 2017 that a Michigan quartet had done so.

Where They Rank

U-M ranks near the top of the Big Ten in multiple statistical categories, including the third-best mark in service aces per set (1.65), good for 62nd in the NCAA. The Wolverines have the third-best hitting percentage (.269) in the league, ranking 24th in the NCAA, and are third in the conference in kills per set (13.70).

How May Mac Assist You?

Senior MacKenzi Welsh moved to fourth in Michigan volleyball history in career assists thanks to her 44-assist performance at Northwestern (Nov. 2). Her 4,798 assists put her 274 behind Linnea Mendoza (5,072, 1994-97) for fourth place.

Freshman Phenom

Freshman Jess Robinson is leading all Big Ten freshmen in attack percentage at .338. That mark is also good for ninth in the conference. The Troy, Michigan, native has had double-digit kill performances in three of the Wolverines' last four matches.

Keeping Up with Jones

Sophomore Paige Jones has continued her strong play during the Big Ten season, turning in two double-double performances against No. 19 Illinois (Nov. 1) and Northwestern (Nov. 2). The outside hitter now has seven double-doubles on the season and has had double-digit kills in 11 of 12 Big Ten matches.

Scouting the Opposition

Michigan State
All-time series against the Spartans: U-M trails 53-45
Michigan State enters the weekend with a 13-9 overall record and a mark of 4-8 in Big Ten play. The Spartans are coming off a 0-2 weekend in Illinois in which they were swept by both Northwestern (Nov. 1) and No. 19 Illinois (Nov. 2). MSU has a strong defensive presence on net, ranking second in the Big Ten in opponent hitting percentage (.168) and third in blocks per set (2.67).

Michigan Under Mark Rosen

The 2019 volleyball campaign marks the program's 47th season and 21st under head coach Mark Rosen. In his time leading the Maize and Blue, Rosen has compiled a 423-260 record and guided Michigan to 17 of its 20 NCAA postseason appearances. In addition to serving as the longest-tenured volleyball coach at Michigan, Rosen is the winningest coach in program history.