The Michigan women's volleyball team knows that it has to win its last four matches of the season.
After the performances this past weekend, the Wolverines are half way there.
Michigan (7-11 Big Ten, 12-17 overall) went to Indiana and defeated both Purdue (5-13, 12-18) and Indiana (3-15, 9-21).
"Everyone who traveled played and contributed at key times," Michigan coach Greg Giovanazzi said.
Michigan's sweep was its first of the Big Ten season.
Purdue was Michigan's first victim. Earlier in the season, the Boilermakers handed the Wolverines their most disappointing loss of the season.
This time, the Wolverines weren't about to be disappointed, winning 14-16, 15-10, 17-15, 16-14, in a punishing match featuring record-breaking statistics.
"Purdue tightened up and we relaxed (in game three)," Giovanazzi said. "That was the difference."
After pulling out a close game three and going up 2-1 in the match, the Wolverines fell behind in game four, 13-6. But Michigan didn't buckle under pressure, going on an 11-1 run to win the game and the match.
"Karen Chase was on fire in games two and four," Giovanazzi said. "Linnea (Mendoza) did an excellent job of getting the ball to the players who were hot."
All kinds of team and individual records were set during the victory. Mendoza recorded 80 assists to break Michigan's single-match assist record.
Chase scored 27 kills, Sarah Jackson had nine blocks, Shareen Luze recorded four aces and Linsey Ebert had eight digs and seven blocks - all of which were career highs.
Michigan also set team season highs in kills (93), attempts (210), assists (88) and total blocks (17).
"This win was won with team effort," Giovanazzi said.
The Wolverines then traveled to Bloomington to close out the final road trip of the season.
Although Michigan eventually won, 14-16, 15-9, 15-7, 15-4, it was the loss in game one that set the tone for the match.
The Wolverines rallied from an 11-3 deficit to tie the game at 13-13. After trading points in a short standoff, Indiana recorded the final two points to win the first game.
However, the momentum generated by the Wolverines carried them to three straight victories and the match.
"We just got better as the match went along," Giovanazzi said. "Games two, three and four were all us. There were great performances from a lot of players."
Chase led the offensive barrage of 76 kills with 19, as the Wolverines recorded a hitting percentage of .371. Jackson recorded 18 kills and Luze had 17 to contribute to Michigan's victory. Luze also added three aces.
"Our hitters did a solid job and our setters ran a well-distributed offense," Giovanazzi said.
Mendoza, as has been the trend all season, kept the defense guessing by running a balanced offense, distributing the ball to several attackers. She finished the match with 50 assists.
With the weekend's victories, the Wolverines have distanced themselves somewhat from the bottom half of the division.
Having concluded the final road trip of the year, the Wolverines have only two matches remaining. Next weekend, Iowa and Illinois visit Cliff Keen Arena to finish up the season.