A case for character: Spikers fight for split

Michigan volleyball coach Mark Rosen knew his team could handle success well, but he didn't know how it would handle adversity.

On Saturday, he found out.

After four consecutive Big Ten losses, the team faced a crucial match with Iowa that it needed to win if the 23rd-ranked Wolverines hoped to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

The Wolverines won, 17-15, 15-4, 15-10.

After starting the year 9-1, ranked No. 18 in the country and beating four top 25 teams, the Wolverines looked like they might meet their goal of finishing in the top three in the Big Ten.

They looked like a lock for the NCAA tournament, and even looked like a darkhorse for the NCAA final four.

Then the team that was picked to finish in 10th place in the Big Ten pre-season coaches poll, resembled a 10th place team.

Shellackings by No. 1 Penn State and No. 18 Wisconsin, a loss to unranked Purdue and another sweep at the hands of unranked Minnesota left the Wolverines in 10th place in the RPI's toughest ranked conference. At that point, they were on the bubble to even make the Tournament.

Saturday night the young Wolverines showed that they were not going to let a few setbacks ruin their season as they bounced back to sweep Iowa for their sixth sweep of the season.

"I don't think we've ever sat back and said 'hey, we're in a good position to make the tournament,'" Rosen said. "We've taken care of what we could take care of during the pre-season. The reality is, now we have to take care of the Big Ten, and that's tough to do."

With the Wolverines nearing the halfway point in their Big Ten season, Saturday's victory may have been the start of a winning streak. This week, the Wolverines will play Michigan State and Northwestern who are a combined 1-7 in the Big Ten.

"We could beat all these teams again and then we would get our (NCAA Tournament) bid for sure," freshman middle blocker Katrina Lehman said.

Saturday's win over Iowa, and last Tuesday's non-conference win over Notre Dame, should go a long way in preserving the Wolverines hopes of landing a bid.

"I feel like right now we could go on a big roll right now with wins," junior outside hitter Nicole Kacor said. "We played Ohio State, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Penn State all the top teams and now the other teams play them. I feel like I'm excited to get in there and play the other teams."

10-11-99