Volleyball continues poor crunch-time play

Weekends in college are supposed to be fun. Just don't tell that to the Michigan volleyball team.

Time after time, the Wolverines have headed into a weekend of Big Ten conference play with high expectations. But, Michigan hasn't met these expectations too often this season.

The Wolverines proved consistent when they traveled to 20th-ranked Illinois and unranked Purdue.

But as the Wolverines previously learned, there is a huge difference between goals and reality.

Michigan (4-12 Big Ten, 12-14 overall) dropped both matches. Illinois downed the Wolverines 15-13, 15-7, 15-3, while Purdue took care of Michigan 15-8, 7-15, 16-14, 15-11.

As in previous losses, Michigan's defense struggled. Purdue racked up 87 kills and a .396 hitting percentage.

The poor play on defense effectively countered one of the Wolverines' best offensive performances of the season. Against the Boilermakers, Michigan registered season highs in kills (83), hitting attempts (187), assists (78) and service aces with 12.

Freshman setter Shannon Melka continued her impressive play, recording a career-high 44 assists against Illinois only to shatter that with an incredible 69 assists against Purdue.

Fellow freshman Annie Maxwell also set a career best with nine kills against Purdue, while hitting .571 for the match.

Michigan continued a disturbing trend that has plagued the team all season. The Wolverines haven't been able to win close matches.

Illinois pulled out two games 15-13, while against Purdue the Wolverines led 14-10 in the third game, only to lose 16-14 and the match in four games.

"We really played one of our better overall matches," Michigan coach Greg Giovanazzi said in a released statement. "But we blew a 14-10 lead and that was really the key point of the match."

Sophomore Sarah Behnke had a career-high 27 kills against Purdue. It was only the second time in the Big Ten season that someone other than Karen Chase led the team in kills.

"Behnke and Chase were outstanding again. Especially Behnke, who was unbelievable with 27 kills and another double-double," Giovanazzi said.

The two losses also effectively take the Wolverines out of any probable post-season tournament consideration.

11-16-98