Hatred, pride at stake for Blue spikers

Hatred is a pretty strong word. But that doesn't stop several members of the Michigan volleyball team from using the word when discussing arch-rival Michigan State.

"Coming from Minnesota, I couldn't care less about Michigan State," Michigan junior Sarah Jackson said. "But now that I'm here, I just have this hatred for them. I don't know where it came from, but I just don't like them."

The Wolverines (3-0 Big Ten, 10-4 overall) play host to the Spartans (1-1, 11-4) tonight at Cliff Keen Arena at 7 p.m., for the sixth-annual Rock the House match.

There is more at stake in Michigan volleyball's version of the civil war than merely a Big Ten match. This marks the first half of the State Pride series, which lets the winner keep a state of Michigan flag, as well as bragging rights.

"I've always liked Michigan, but I never hated Michigan State," freshman Sarah Behnke said. "But since I've been here I've developed that hatred."

While it's natural for Michigan athletes to hate Michigan State, Michigan's lack of success against the Spartans in recent years likely serves to fuel the ill-will. The Spartans have won the State Pride title each of the last four years.

A victory for the Wolverines would put them at 4-0 in the Big Ten, matching their best ever start in the conference.

But at the same time, Michigan coach Greg Giovanazzi has a little broader goal in mind. Volleyball has never been a very popular sport in Ann Arbor, and Giovanazzi hopes that Rock the House will bring in some new fans.

"We don't really draw well," Giovanazzi said. "We think we're good entertainment value, and we have tremendous athletes. We have what makes programs around the country visible and successful."

Traditionally, the Rock the House matches draw the biggest crowd of the year to Cliff Keen. Last year, 1,383 fans watched the Wolverines sweep Wisconsin at Rock the House. The single-match attendance record at Cliff Keen of 2,137 was set at the inaugural Rock the House match in 1992, as Penn State swept Michigan.

The Wolverines are hoping to prevent a repeat of last year's home Michigan State match, when the Spartans had more fans than the Wolverines.

"Last year, they came to our gym and out-fanned us," Jackson said. "That was unbelievable. They had twice as many fans as we did."

Rock the House
Who: Michigan vs. Michigan State
What: First match in the State Pride series
Where: Cliff Keen Arena
When: 7 p.m.
Free stuff: First 500 people get a free Rock the House T-shirt
Other stuff: Winner of the State Pride series receives a state of Michigan flag until the next season.

10-03-97