Volleyball rocks in record-setting match

Two different teams showed up to play volleyball at Cliff Keen Arena on Friday night. But it wasn't just Michigan's opponent who changed for the seventh annual Rock the House game.

A new-look Michigan squad solidly swept No. 22 Minnesota (2-3 Big Ten, 12-4 overall), 16-14, 15-5, 17-15, in a match that was characterized by intensity, emotion and some record-setting performances.

This new team was dramatically different than the team that was swept by No. 23 Michigan State last Wednesday.

In Friday's victory - its first over a ranked opponent - Michigan (2-3, 10-5) played with an intensity that had not been seen this season.

In the final game of the match, the Wolverines jumped out to an early 5-0 lead. They then led 14-10 before Minnesota responded with a late rally.

DAVID ROCHKIND/Daily Jeanine Szczesniak's single-game attack percentage record was shattered by teammate Karen Chase on Friday.

The Wolverines couldn't manage to get that last point, allowing the Golden Gophers to get back into the game at 14-14.

Then, senior Jeanine Szczesniak scored one of her two service aces, making it 15-14. After a Minnesota score and a Michigan side-out, sophomore setter Alija Pittenger served, closing the door on the Gophers, 17-15.

The very nature of game three was indicative of the revamped Wolverines.

Versus the Spartans last week, the Wolverines led 5-0 early in both game one and the critical game two. But Michigan State came away with both games.

On Friday, that just wasn't going to happen.

"They were tired of losing," Michigan coach Greg Giovanazzi said. "They seemed to take more individual responsibility, especially the seniors. They were exceptional.

"I thought in the third game that we were completely in control. They came back by playing good ball, not because we broke down, which has been a problem in the past."

Szczesniak took things into her own hands, recording 18 digs in the match. With that total, she crossed the 1,000 dig mark - becoming only the fourth Wolverine to do so.

"I think we were really sick of losing out there," Szczesniak said.

"There was no way we were going to come here to 'Rock the House' and lose. I just think it was total determination."

Szczesniak was not the only player to have a record-setting performance last weekend. She was joined by seniors Linsey Ebert and Karen Chase on that plateau.

Chase nearly had a perfect performance blasting 22 kills in 26 attempts with only one error. She finished the match with a .808 attack percentage, setting a new school and arena record.

The previous Michigan record was held by Alison Noble and

Szcesniak who both had single match attack percentages of .650. The arena record on .681 had belonged to Michigan State's Becky Belanger. That record had not been broken in nine years.

"I couldn't be happier," Chase said. "I just went out tonight and

wanted to keep the ball on the court. I swung and I tried to make them play defense. I was swinging as hard as I possibly could out there. Good things happen when you keep going."

Chase's effort paid off. She dominated the Gophers defense and scored at crucial moments.

"It was as dominating as (any) outside hitter performance I've ever seen," Giovanazzi said. "That was incredible. Anytime we needed a side-out or anything, she put it away."

Ebert also set a personal record on the offensive end with her

thirteen kills. She now has 804 for her career.

In addition to stellar performances and emotional play, part of

the Wolverines' success can be attributed to a few changes in their

offense.

So far this season, the Wolverines have been looking for a

comfortable replacement for All-American setter Linnea Mendoza who

graduated last year. After Friday night, they may have found it.

Sophomore Alija Pittenger took over Mendoza's role in the game

returning the Wolverines to a single setter offense. In previous matches, Pittenger had been sharing responsibility with freshman Shannon Melka.

"Changing the offense and having just one setter may have made a difference," Giovanazzi said. "There're a lot of seniors on this team and there's a comfort zone that we played this offense the entire time that Linnea was here. Were used to that, but more than anything it was just a

great performance as a team."

Additionally, Giovanazzi credits his team's intensity on defense

for making the biggest difference in the match.

"I thought the blocking was great, a lot to deflections. It made

our defense better, Giovanazzi said. "The most key thing was that we

sided-out consistently and that we did well on serve and receive."

The Wolverines will use the momentum from Friday's match as they head to Happy Valley next Friday to face No.1 Penn State.

"I think its a big momentum builder for what's coming up next

weekend," Sczcesniak said. "We didn't come out playing not to lose, we came out playing to win."

10-12-98