Wolverines overcome mistakes, adversity to shine

The measure of a good team is not how much talent its has, but how it overcomes mistakes and adversity.

Mistakes and adversity have been a common mantra for the Michigan volleyball team under coach Greg Giovanazzi. But last night's three-game sweep of Northwestern has the Wolverines sporting a 3-0 conference start and alone in first place in the Big Ten.

The undefeated start, and a seven-game winning streak dating back to Sept. 13, has the Wolverines thinking that they are finally in range of the Big Ten elite.

"What feels great is that we have a tremendous amount of momentum right now," Giovanazzi said. "We have corrected mistakes we made in the beginning of the year, and we are learning to close out games."

While the term chemistry has become so overused in the world of sports that it is now cliche, it has applied to the Wolverines thus far this season.

Even with the injury to junior outside hitter Karen Chase, Michigan has pulled together and has seen freshman outside hitter Sarah Behnke jump from the high-school ranks and become one of the Wolverines's leading hitters.

"I'm just trying to take advantage of my increased playing time and help out the team," Behnke said.

Another positive has been attitude. Women remain supportive, even when they are not playing. Senior middle blocker Darlene Recker and freshman Joanne Fielder, who were instrumental in the non-conference season, have sat the bench for the better part of the past two weeks.

"We have the luxury this year of having a great deal of depth," Giovanazzi said. "This year, our depth is more concerned with seeing our team do well than seeing themselves do well.

"Darlene and Joanne have been great in sitting the past few weeks and putting the team in front of themselves. They both are legitimate Big Ten volleyball players."

The Wolverines will see how far they are among the conference elite tomorrow night when in-state rival Michigan State drives down to Keen Arena to renew the two teams' grudge match. But in contrast with the past few years, Michigan has a legitimate claim to be among the Big Ten elite.

The Terminator: At the end of each game last night, there was one thing in common - the appearance of Anna Poglits. The 6-foot-4 sophomore outside hitter has been key off the bench lately with many timely kills.

Last night was no exception, as Poglits was second on the team with nine kills, only one behind Jackson.

In last night's game, Poglits's kills were not noteworthy due to quantity, but rather because of their timing. In each game-point last night, Poglits was present and delivered the fateful point.

More Mendoza milestones: Another game, another Linnea Mendoza milestone. Or so it seems. The senior setter, who has become Michigan's all-time assist leader and has broken the 4,000 assist barrier already this season, is closing on another mark.

After a 34-assist performance last night, Mendoza needs 19 assists to become the 17th player in Big Ten history to hit the 4,125-assist mark.

Getting back into the flow: Last night's game saw the return of Karen Chase, who has been on the shelf for the past four weeks with a disc injury in her back. Or did it?

Toward the end of the first game, Giovanazzi put in Chase for a possible game-winning point. Northwestern won a sideout, and Chase promptly exited the game. She did not return.

"We wanted to get her out on the court before Friday," Giovanazzi said. "She isn't at full strength yet, but we can use her to block and hit some if we need it."

Oh how they hate Michigan State: It's no secret that there is no love lost between the Wolverines and the Spartans. Kids growing up in the state of Michigan are bred to love one school and hate the other.

The same goes for out-of-state students who attend either school. As the rivalry is set to erupt tomorrow night, it allows one to reflect on how they feel about their rival.

"Coming from Minnesota, at first I really didn't care about Michigan State," Jackson said. "Ever since I have been here, I have developed a real hatred for them.

"I don't know why, but they really get under my skin."

10-02-97