'M' volleyball set to defend 'State Pride' ag as Spartans come to town

FILE PHOTO The Michigan volleyball team tries to repeat and keep the state flag in Ann Arbor as it takes on Michigan State at home tonight.

By Uma Subramanian
Daily Sports Writer

Tonight in Cliff Keen Arena, the first of two battles of the State Pride tournament will take place.

The prize will be a Michigan state flag with the word "Tuebor" ( Latin for 'I will defend') written on it.

The history: The Michigan and Michigan State volleyball teams have met 16 times, and each team has won the State Pride crown four times.

Usually, the team that wins both matches of the series gets to fly the flag.

Last year, there was no clear-cut winner, but the Wolverines won on total points.

But, when the Spartans come to town tonight, there will be much more at stake than just state pride.

This week, Michigan (1-3 Big Ten, 9-5 overall) finds itself ranked just outside the Top 25. Michigan State (2-2, 9-3) is just holding on at No. 22.

"This is a huge week that could be our chance to break into the top 25," Michigan coach Greg Giovanazzi said. "We're still in the 'others receiving votes.'"

"It's impressive - there are seven Big Ten teams in the poll. We would like to move up and add to that list."

With victories over Michigan State tonight and Minnesota this weekend, the Wolverines could secure a spot in next week's poll.

But it won't be easy. Michigan State is an experienced team that returns 12 members from last year.

More important, though, the Spartans are led by All-America Jenna Wroble, whom Giovanazzi said is "one of the elite players in the country."

Wroble has already made an impression on the Big Ten this season. She is the conference leader in kills and was named Big Ten player of the week on Sept. 21.

"Wroble is just good," Giovanazzi said. "There's no way around it, she's going to get her kills. She's going to give us problems, but we can't let her be a distraction.

"We're just going to have to shut down everyone else."

The Spartans, who are one game ahead of Michigan in the conference, swept Purdue last weekend. In the first game of the match, Wroble had six kills.

"I want to see a lot out of our middle blockers, Joanna Fielder and Linsey Ebert," Giovanazzi said. "It'll be up to them to step up on defense."

In contrast to the Spartans' recent success, Michigan fell to Indiana in three games. Last weekend against the Hoosiers, the Wolverines struggled with both their hitting and blocking.

"This past week, we've been trying to improve our attacking and passing games," Giovanazzi said. "There is one really positive thing that I hope we take from last weekend, though. We played at a really good level emotionally - with a lot of intensity. That's going to be important against Michigan State."

This will be an important match for Michigan's young pair of setters, Shannon Melka and Alija Pittenger. This is the first time either player has faced the Spartans in a key role.

While the Spartans may have the benefit of momentum, the Wolverines will have the home-court advantage.

Last year's contest drew a record attendance of 2,346.

Giovanazzi contends that this was a major factor in the Wolverines' victory.

"It's always good to play at home," Giovanazzi said. "Last year's big crowd helped us win. But, against State, it's especially easier to play here than in their fieldhouse. We just handle the ball better here."

He hopes that tonight's turnout will be on par with last year.

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