Every year at this time, the Michigan volleyball team says good-bye to its senior class. While the outgoing Wolverines leave behind many good memories of their careers, there is always something missing.
Until now.
The Wolverines capped off their best season ever this weekend, coming up with a two-match sweep of Purdue and Ohio State. Michigan (13-7 Big Ten, 20-11 overall) clinched a tie for third place in the conference and won two games in a weekend for the first time since Oct. 3-4.
The victories assured the Wolverines their first-ever NCAA tournament berth, which will set them up against Temple in College Station, Tex., on Thursday.
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| JOHN KRAFT/Daily Sarah Behnke may not understand the significance of the Wolverines trip to the NCAA tournament. The freshman did not endure any of the 16 years of futility. |
The Wolverines got their tie for third place Saturday night against the Boilermakers (3-17, 10-21) sending out seniors Linnea Mendoza, Sarah Jackson, and Darlene Recker with a 12-15, 15-8, 15-6, 15-1, victory.
Perhaps nervous about Senior Night or hung over from their victory over Ohio State the night before, the Wolverines started out slow, dropping the first game. Bev Krupa, who led the Boilermakers with 21 kills on the night, led the way in the opener.
Michigan returned things back to normal, smashing the Boilermakers in the final three games to wrap up their record-setting 20th win.
"Purdue started a different lineup than they normally do," Smith said. "They moved some people around and caught us off guard. They came out fired up and scrappy, but we regained control and dominated the match at the end."
While the Wolverines honored the seniors Saturday, it was the underclassmen who assured a season-ending victory. Junior Karen Chase matched her career-high in kills with a match-leading 28. Saturday also marked the fourth consecutive match in which Chase has led the way in kills for the Wolverines.
Chase "should be Big Ten player of the week this week," Michigan coach Greg Giovanazzi said. "Linnea Mendoza did a great job mixing it up, but Karen was just dominant."
Freshman Sarah Behnke was next on the kill tally, racking up 18. Junior Linsey Ebert was next in line with 15 kills and Jeanine Szczesniak added 10. Mendoza went out in style in her last match, handing out 66 assists.
After Krupa, Purdue got high production from Jennie Williams, who spanked 16 kills. Kelly Colangelo added 13 kills and Sarah Emke delivered 12.
Friday night marked two historic moments for Michigan. The Wolverines', 15-9, 5-15, 15-12, 15-13, victory over No. 25 Ohio State (12-7, 21-10) not only broke the Michigan record for conference victories, it also snapped a 20-game losing streak against the Buckeyes. The last time that the Wolverines had beaten the Buckeyes was Sept. 26, 1987.
"The win was awesome," Smith said. "We were very consistent and prepared. We know Ohio State like the back of our hand, and we really look forward to beating teams we know so well."
Michigan suffered from the Thanksgiving layoff at the outset of the match, falling behind the Buckeyes, 5-2, in the first game. But Michigan woke up, as Chase led a 4-1 run to go ahead, 7-6. The Wolverines then scored eight out of the final 11 points in the game to prevail.
After being blitzed in the second game, Ohio State looked as if they were going to get its 21st straight victory over Michigan, scoring the first six points of the third game.
The Buckeyes extended their lead to 10-5 in the game, but a run of five consecutive points by Michigan deadlocked the game at 10. After trading sideouts, the Wolverines outscored the Buckeyes, 5-2, to wrap up the rubber game.
"We were getting anxious," Smith said. "We were making uncharacteristic mistakes. We told them to relax and make them play the ball." Perhaps nervous about Senior Night or hung over from their victory over Ohio State the night before, the Wolverines started out slow, dropping the first game. Bev Krupa, who led the Boilermakers with 21 kills on the night, led the way in the opener.
Michigan returned things back to normal, smashing the Boilermakers in the final three games to wrap up their record-setting 20th win.
"Purdue started a different lineup than they normally do," Smith said. "They moved some people around and caught us off guard. They came out fired up and scrappy, but we regained control and dominated the match at the end."
While the Wolverines honored the seniors Saturday, it was the underclassmen who assured a season-ending victory. Junior Karen Chase matched her career-high in kills with a match-leading 28. Saturday also marked the fourth consecutive match in which Chase has led the way in kills for the Wolverines.
Chase "should be Big Ten player of the week this week," Michigan coach Greg Giovanazzi said. "Linnea Mendoza did a great job mixing it up, but Karen was just dominant."
Freshman Sarah Behnke was next on the kill tally, racking up 18. Junior Linsey Ebert was next in line with 15 kills and Jeanine Szczesniak added 10. Mendoza went out in style in her last match, handing out 66 assists.
After Krupa, Purdue got high production from Jennie Williams, who spanked 16 kills. Kelly Colangelo added 13 kills and Sarah Emke delivered 12.
Friday night marked two historic moments for Michigan. The Wolverines', 15-9, 5-15, 15-12, 15-13, victory over No. 25 Ohio State (12-7, 21-10) not only broke the Michigan record for conference victories, it also snapped a 20-game losing streak against the Buckeyes. The last time that the Wolverines had beaten the Buckeyes was Sept. 26, 1987.
"The win was awesome," Smith said. "We were very consistent and prepared. We know Ohio State like the back of our hand, and we really look forward to beating teams we know so well."
Michigan suffered from the Thanksgiving layoff at the outset of the match, falling behind the Buckeyes, 5-2, in the first game. But Michigan woke up, as Chase led a 4-1 run to go ahead, 7-6. The Wolverines then scored eight out of the final 11 points in the game to prevail.
After being blitzed in the second game, Ohio State looked as if they were going to get its 21st straight victory over Michigan, scoring the first six points of the third game.
The Buckeyes extended their lead to 10-5 in the game, but a run of five consecutive points by Michigan deadlocked the game at 10. After trading sideouts, the Wolverines outscored the Buckeyes, 5-2, to wrap up the rubber game.
"We were getting anxious," Smith said. "We were making uncharacteristic mistakes. We told them to relax and make them play the ball."
12-01-97
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