Wolverines to Open Season with Michigan Nike Classic vs. Delaware, Kent State

Promotions

Aug. 30
• Go Blue, Go for Gold! -- Experience an Olympic atmosphere at Crisler Center and celebrate the achievements of the 40+ Michigan Olympians, Paralympians, coaches and staff from the 2024 Paris Olympics.
• Michigan Paris Olympics Poster Giveaway -- The first 500 fans will receive a poster featuring Michigan athletes who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics
• Enter-to-Wins -- All fans in attendance are invited to enter to win 2024 Paris Olympics swag and memorabilia
• Football Ticket Redemption -- Present your ticket from the Michigan vs. Fresno State Football game to receive free admission (while ticket inventory lasts)

Sept. 1
• Personalities Day -- Michigan Volleyball's take on Inside Out
• Journal Giveaway -- A space for all your emotions to live! The first 1,000 fans will receive a Michigan mini journal.
• Post-Match Autographs -- Limited to 200 fans; Must pick up a wristband at Section 136 before the match to participate.
• Wolverine Kids Club Day -- All Wolverine Kids Club members are invited to attend this match. Kids Club members must claim their complimentary tickets in advance using the promo code in the app.
• Football Ticket Redemption -- Present your ticket from the Michigan vs. Fresno State Football game to receive free admission (while ticket inventory lasts)

Purchases on the day of the game at the venue will be cashless and contactless in an effort to contribute to a safer gameday environment and improve the fan experience by increasing the speed of service and decreasing wait times. Purchases may be made with debit or credit cards. Cash will not be accepted.

Alcohol sales will be available at all matches in Crisler this season. » More information

A new Weapons Detection System has been implemented at Crisler Center. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to ensure a smooth entry into Crisler.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan volleyball team (0-0) will open its 2024 season with the Michigan Nike Classic, a three-match weekend that will see the Wolverines host Delaware (0-0) at Crisler Center on Friday (Aug. 30) at 7 p.m., then Kent State twice -- on Saturday (Aug. 31) at 3 p.m. at Cliff Keen Arena and Sunday (Sept. 1) at 2 p.m. at Crisler. All three matches will be streamed live on B1G+.

SCHEDULE CHANGE (8/29/24) -- The Wolverines will now play a doubleheader against Kent State on Sunday (Sept. 1) with the first match at 11 a.m. and the second match starting at 3 p.m. -- both being held at Crisler Center. Friday's (Aug. 30) season opener between Michigan and Delaware remains unchanged. The neutral site match between Delaware and Kent State will stay at 11 a.m. on Saturday (Aug. 31) but has been moved to Crisler Center in a closed-door match.

• Scheduling Adjustments Made to Michigan Nike Classic (8/29/24)

Notes

• Head coach Erin Virtue enters her second season at the helm after a 7-22 record in 2023. She is joined by a returning staff that includes associate head coaches Dan Pawlikowski and Benavia Jenkins and assistant coach Nick Clark.

• Virtue and director of operations Coley Pawlikowski were in Paris with USA women's volleyball for the 2024 Olympics. Team USA earned the silver medal after wins over Serbia, France, Poland and Brazil before dropping the final to Italy. The U.S. has medaled in each of the last five Olympics, including a gold in 2020 with Virtue on the staff.

• Three Wolverines gained international experience over the summer with Allison Jacobs, Lydia Johnson and Valentina Vaulet training with their respective national teams over the summer. Johnson played on the U-21 Canada National Team in the NORECA Continental Championship in Toronto where Team Canada placed fourth. Jacobs was chosen to serve as a libero on the USA Women's Collegiate National Team, while Vaulet returned home to train with the Argentinean national team.

• The 2024 squad returns 10 players -- four seniors, one junior, and five sophomores.

• Both of U-M's starting middle blockers return, with senior Jacque Boney collecting 64 blocks (nine solo, 55 assists) and 236 kills last season -- both good for second on the team -- while junior Serena Nyambio tallied 154 kills and a team-leading 88 blocks (14 solo, 74 assists). Senior Mira Chopra and freshman Jenna Hanes will join the the duo this season.

• Morgan Burke returns as the team's starting setter after starting the final 13 matches of the 2023 season. She led the team with 488 assists and 7.51 assists per set and tallied four double-doubles last season. She has a career-high of 49 assists.

• U-M brings in seven newcomers to this year's squad, welcoming six freshmen and one graduate transfer. Newcomers Ella Demetrician, Camille Edwards, Cymarah Gordon, Jenna Hanes, Trixie McMillin and Ellie White will be joined by Kendyl Reaugh, who tranferred from Alabama with 997 career kills.

• Michigan will face Delaware for the first time in program history to start their seasons. Last season, Delaware went 24-5 (15-3 Coastal Athletic Association). The Blue Hens won the CAA Tournament to make it to the NCAA Tournament, where they were swept by No. 8 Missouri in the opening round.

• U-M has faced Kent State twice in program history and holds a 2-0 all-time record against the Golden Flashes with a pair of sweeps. The last matchup came Sept. 19, 1998, when the Wolverines won 15-7, 15-10, 15-8. This season, Kent State opens up against Delaware at Cliff Keen Arena before taking on the Wolverines twice. Last season, the Golden Flashes went 6-23 (2-16 Mid-American Conference).