Michigan
16-7,6-6Big Ten
Minnesota
16-6,9-3Big Ten
Wolverines Fall In Tight Three-Set Match to No. 15 Minnesota
11/3/2024 4:42:00 PM | Volleyball
» Michigan lost to No. 15 Minnesota in three sets with each set being within six points.
» Morgan Burke tallied a double-double in the match with 31 assists and 12 digs.
» Valentina Vaulet tallied 12 kills and added an ace and two block assists for 14 points.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan volleyball team fell to No. 15-ranked Minnesota in a closely contested three-set match (23-25, 19-25, 21-25) on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 3) at Cliff Keen Arena.
Michigan (16-7, 6-6 Big Ten) was led by Morgan Burke, who tallied team-leading marks in both assists (31) and digs (12), while adding two kills and an ace. Valentina Vaulet contributed 12 kills, an ace, and two block assists for a team-leading 14 points. Serena Nyambio had seven block assists to help Michigan total nine blocks in the match.
The Wolverines opened the match on a 4-1 run, highlighted by a Vaulet kill and an Ella Demetrician ace. Michigan extended the lead to 7-4, but Minnesota (16-6, 9-3 Big Ten) quickly tied the match at seven. The Wolverines stayed in front, going on a 4-1 run to lead 11-8 before the Golden Gophers tied it again at 11. Locked in a tight battle with ties at 13 and 14, Minnesota took its first lead at 15-14 heading into the media timeout. Michigan responded by taking the next three points, forcing a Minnesota timeout after a Jacque Boney kill and another ace from Vaulet. The teams traded points until Minnesota clinched the first set 25-23 with the final two points.
Michigan again started strong in the second set with back-to-back blocks, taking a 3-1 and then a 4-2 lead before Minnesota tied it at five. The Gophers pulled ahead 10-7, prompting a Michigan timeout. The Wolverines closed the gap to 13-12, but Minnesota responded with three straight points, forcing another Michigan timeout. Minnesota extended the lead to 23-16, but U-M fought back. Burke had a strong service run with two Vaulet kills and a block from Nyambio and Demetrician, narrowing the gap to 23-19. Minnesota, however, closed the set 25-19.
The third set began with a Minnesota kill, and both teams went on small runs before tying at 14. Minnesota then took control with three consecutive points for a 17-14 lead. Boney narrowed the gap with kills that brought Michigan within one at 18-17 and again at 19-18, but the Wolverines couldn't tie. Demetrician managed to bring Michigan within one once more, yet Minnesota claimed four of the last five points to secure the third set 25-21.
The Wolverines return to the court on Friday (Nov. 8) against Ohio State at Cliff Keen Arena for the "Blue Out" at 7:00 p.m., with the match streaming live on B1G+.
