The number of lessons this year's Michigan volleyball team learned from last season's disappointing performance will determine how well they play this year.
After a 7-1 non-conference record and a split in the first weekend series of Big Ten play, a repeat of last year is a lingering possibility.
The Wolverines stumbled early in the '98 Big Ten season and never regained their composure.
They managed only four wins in 16 conference matches to finish second to last in the nation's best volleyball conference.
Last year the Wolverines only lost twice in non-conference play, but started off the Big Ten 0-2 by dropping two games to Purdue.
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| SARA SCHENK/Daily The Michigan volleyball team is ranked among the nation's Top 25 teams for the first time ever in the program's history. |
But this isn't the same team that took the court last season.
First off, the coaching staff has changed. Rookie coach Mark Rosen has surprised critics who thought this would be a rebuilding year for Michigan.
Also, last year five seniors - the core of that team - graduated.
Prior to the season, Rosen said he thought the team was a few years away from returning to the NCAA tournament, which they haven't played in since 1997.
But in retrospect, the coaching change couldn't have come at a better time.
The team that Rosen has taken over is young. These former bench warmers have had an easier time adapting than a veteran senior led team would have.
Sophomore Shannon Melka said this year's game plan has a faster tempo which is easier to adjust to.
While the offense has consistently run smoothly this season, last year it often had a hard time getting started.
The consistency can be attributed in part to Melka. She's become the primary setter after platooning with junior Alija Pittenger last year.
The move has allowed Pittenger to become one of the team's best and most versatile players. The outside hitter is among the team's leaders in kills and digs.
Pittenger and sophomore Nicole Kacor have taken turns leading Michigan in both categories this season. They've also made their presence felt blocking at the net.
Blocking, one of Michigan's weaker points last year, has turned into one of its fortes. Led by Joanna Fielder, Annie Maxwell and Anne Poglits, the Wolverines have blocked well.
In last Friday's win over No. 18 Ohio State, Michigan out-blocked the Buckeyes 15-6.
Michigan has played against some of the top teams in the country and won three times so far this season, which is two more than last year.
In '98 the only ranked team the Wolverines beat was No. 22 Minnesota in Michigan's annual Rock the House match.
This season the Wolverines have beaten No. 18 Ohio State, No. 16 Arkansas and No. 7 Brigham Young.
But the most important change from last season is the Wolverines' perception of the game.
They aren't concerned about their next opponent or any of the other teams they will face.
They don't worry about how well they're doing in the rankings or where they will finish in the Big Ten.
The pressure of establishing itself as one of the best teams in the conference isn't a factor yet for Michigan.
Nor is this the last chance for the core of this team to prove themselves.
"We focus on our side of the net," senior defensive specialist Maggie Cooper said. "We focus on what we can do better and how we should play the game."
This team philosophy has worked well so far.
Michigan has won two tournaments and broken into the Top 25 for the first time in the program's history.
Much of this success boils down to the Wolverines' outlook on the game and their own improvement.
They have consistently attributed their success to their hard work and Rosen's philosophy of concentrating on themselves.
"If we don't execute on our side, it doesn't matter what we know about the other team," Rosen said. "We can't get too wrapped up in what the other team is doing unless we play well."
09-28-99
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