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'M' volleyball spanks Eastern Michigan in straight sets in rare Cliff Keen appearance

How important is the atmosphere to a team's performance?

If Saturday's match for the Michgan men's volleyball team is any indication, it is vital.

For the first time this season, the Wolverines played in spacious Cliff Keen Arena and their fans came out in support. Michigan responded by rolling over Eastern Michigan, 15-4, 15-8, 15-10.

The contest had a feeling of legitimacy when the lineups were announced and introductions were made prior to the match. Each team lined up at its own side, and looked around at the largest crowd to see a Michigan home match this season.

Cliff Keen has certain advantages over the Central Campus Recreation Building, all of which played in to the hands of the Wolverines.

"At the CCRB, there are overhangs and curtains; (at Cliff Keen) you can jump serve from farther back on the court, and it's a more professional atmosphere," Michigan's Chad Stilstra said. "Everyone had their own cheering section which made (the game) a lot of fun."

The starting lineup remained unchanged from last week's MIVA Tournament. It consisted of Stilstra, Jamie Reynolds, Suresh Pothiraj, Ernesto Rodriguez, Andy Spitser and Ted Skolarus.

Eastern Michigan, clearly overpowered by Michigan, dug a hole for itself early in the first match.

Stilstra blocked a return by the Eagles and gave the Wolverines a 1-0 lead on the game's first play. The combination of Reynolds and Stilstra's blocks allowed Michigan to jump out to a 6-1 advantage.

The Wolverines increased their lead to 9-1 and Eastern called time-out, hoping to catch its breath. The Eagles had complained throughout the game about line calls, interference at the net and referee's decisions. This frustration was reflected in their play, as Michigan stretched its lead to 10-2. Pothiraj's inspired blocks led to the 15-4 conclusion.

Such domination was not what Michigan expected entering the match, but the changes made during the week were helpful in the team's execution.

"Ernesto (Rodriguez) stepped in and set for us and that worked really well," Michigan captain Reynolds said. "He really played well and ran (the ball) to the right people."

The second game was a bit more of a struggle for the talented Wolverines. Eastern fought for every point but Michigan kept getting the calls. The Eagles were assessed a red card for pulling on the net in frustration after a line call did not go in their favor.

The Wolverines played much of the match without Pothiraj, who has been ailing with a twisted knee. Spitser, the emotional court leader of squad, played through pain to return serves and set the ball for teammates.

He played with a soft cast, but was suffering as he grimaced with each dig.

The game concluded with Rodriguez making an unbelievable spike. As he fell backwards, he swung his arm forward completing the knockout kill.

The third and final game was a chance for Michigan coach Kent Booker to play the reserves. He cleared the bench in the 15-10 victory, getting many of the players who don't play for the main squad a chance to play.

And the game ended as the team would have liked. In his last home match, Reynolds got the final point to close out the Eagles and his home career for the Wolverines. It was a team effort, however, and the captain was quick to recognize his teammates.

"(The win) was a product of our team coming together. It's our last home match so we tried to get everyone to play," he said.

"Everybody played well the whole match," he said. "Usually our lapse comes at the wrong time. We get up around 12 or 13 and let them back in the match, and then we lose.

"(Saturday), though, we really played tough and finished hard."