'M' volleyball sweeps into season

Last year the Michigan women's volleyball team had its most successful season in history, earning its first NCAA tournament bid and finishing with a record of 21-12.

Entering the 1998 campaign, the Wolverines think they can keep the fire burning.

"We're a better team than we were last year," Michigan coach Greg Giovanazzi said. "We are in a position to have an even better year."

If senior Karen Chase's recent play is any indication of the team, the winning streak could continue.

To open the season, the Wolverines were in Washington, D.C., where they won the Georgetown Acumen Classic by defeating Temple, Georgetown and Maryland.

FILE PHOTO The Michigan volleyball team opened their season by sweeping to the Georgetown Acumen Classic title.

The Wolverines defeated Temple in four games (15-8, 15-10, 14-16, 15-4) to improve their record to 3-0. They were led by Chase, who had 23 kills (and seven errors) in 37 attempts for a .432 attack percentage in the match.

"Chase is a pretty amazing player," Giovanazzi said. "She was on fire this weekend. She is the person we had to go to in each pivotal situation and she really came through."

In the tournament, Chase also had a lot of help from her teammates especially fellow senior Jeanine Szczesniak who was named the tournament MVP.

"The match against Temple this year was much different from last season," Giovanazzi said. "They lost four or five seniors, and they were really tentative when they came out."

While Temple was an important match in capturing the crown, the Wolverines were more concerned with their previous two matches.

In an earlier game Saturday, the Wolverines defeated host Georgetown in four games (9-15, 15-7, 15-7, 15-6). Szczesniak had a .409 attack percentage in the match.

The Wolverines out-hit the Hoyas, 45-39 and out-blocked them 12-7.5.

Recently graduated setter Linnea Mendoza, Michigan's all-time career assists leader, will be replaced by freshman Shannon Melka and sophomore Alija Pittenger, who combined for 63 assists against Temple and 36 against Georgetown.

"I'm not surprised by their performance," Giovanazzi said. "Together they formed a team which allows us to improve over last year. They've done a really great job. It's always difficult to replace a senior, but they have come together."

Prior to this weekend, the Wolverines' primary focus had been the match against Maryland. The Terrapins lost only twice last year - never during the regular season.

Friday's lone contest saw the Wolverines rise to the challenge. They recorded 69 kills as well as 10 blocks in the four games.

The weekend was a confidence builder for Michigan, but Giovanazzi is more focused on keeping things in balance.

"At the end of the tournament we discussed how important it was to keep things in balance," he said. "It's only one of the many weekends, but we will use it for the momentum it provides."

For the past several years the volleyball program has been trying to establish itself. But this year, things could be different.

"It's going to be kind of an unusual season because we have to get used to being one of the top teams in the conference instead of an underdog," Giovanazzi said. "It will be interesting to see how the team adjusts to that position. So far they seem to be doing well."

09-08-98