'M' volleyball splits weekend set, for seventh straight time

The Michigan women's volleyball team tied a school record for Big Ten victories this season. The Wolverines are also caught in a rut, as they split their matches for the seventh consecutive week.

Michigan (11-7 Big Ten, 18-11 overall) was blasted by No. 2 Penn State, 15-6, 15-8, 15-8, its second blowout loss to the Nittany Lions this year. The Wolverines did take of business Friday however, as they defeated Indiana (4-13, 17-13) in four games, 15-13, 18-20, 15-5, 15-12.

The Lions (17-1, 28-1) didn't waste any time earning their 32nd consecutive win at home - the longest current streak in the NCAA. Penn State finished the match with an astounding hitting percentage of .399. Michigan wasn't nearly as successful, hitting only .200 in the match.

JOHN KRAFT/Daily The Michigan women's volleyball team set a school record for Big Ten conference victories Friday by beating Indiana in four games. Saturday, things didn't go so well for the Wolverines, who were beaten in three games by No. 2 Penn State for the second time this season.

"We went in hoping to get momentum," Michigan coach Greg Giovanazzi said. "I felt we did much better than we did when we played them the first time."

Senior Terri Zemaitis led the way for the Lions. She struck 21 kills and recorded six blocks on the night. Zemaitis was one of four Lions with double-digit kills. Penn State also got excellent production from Lauren Cacciamani, who tallied 14 kills and a game-high seven blocks.

Lindsay Anderson and Carrie Schonveld were the other two Lions who made the double-digit kill club, both finishing with 10 kills.

Karen Chase led the Michigan charge with 17 kills and a pair of solo blocks. Chase's blocks accounted for half of Michigan's blocks on the night, as the Lions outblocked the Wolverines, 13-4.

Jeanine Szczesniak played well in a losing effort for the Wolverines. She smacked 11 kills and led the team with 10 digs. Sophomore Anna Poglits took advantage of extended playing time Saturday, adding 10 kills off the bench.

"We did a good job of siding out against them, but we just couldn't score points," Giovanazzi said. "We outdug them, which showed a great deal of hustle, but we just couldn't block or serve them tough enough."

Extending their season-long pattern, the Wolverines defeated a lesser Indiana team Friday night. The victory was Michigan's 11th in the Big Ten, tying its best conference win total ever and assuring a winning conference season for only the third time in history.

"We did a good job across the court tonight," Giovanazzi said. "The win assures us of a winning Big Ten record, making it hard for us to be overlooked for the NCAA national tournament field."

The Wolverines registered more kills Friday night than most hunters during deer season, racking up 87 kills in the match. Chase led the Michigan charge, smashing a career-high 28 kills and hitting a blistering .400.

"Karen had an unbelieveable game," Giovanazzi said. "She took advantage of late middle blockers and just had a terrific match. She has finally gotten back to where she was before she got injured."

Chase wasn't the only Wolverine padding her kill statistics. Szczesniak had 20, senior Sarah Jackson garnered 17 and junior Linsey Ebert added a game-high eight blocks in the match. Senior Linnea Mendoza also benefited from the numerous kills, recording 72 assists.

Indiana was no slouch when it came to kills, piling up 81. The Hoosiers were led by Melissa Rooney, who recorded 20 kills, and Julie Flatley, who added 19 and led the Hoosiers with six blocks.

"It was a great win because Indiana played really well," Giovanazzi said. "The fact that Illinois and Indiana, two quality teams, are well below .500 is a testament to the strength of the conference."

The weekend left the Wolverines in the same place they were coming into the weekend - tied with Michigan State for fifth place in the conference.

Slightly ahead of both the Wolverines and Spartans are Minnesota and Ohio State.

The Golden Gophers and Buckeyes finished the weekend tied for third with a 12-6 mark. Michigan will get its shot at improving its tournament status when it hosts the Buckeyes this Friday.

11-24-97