Volleyball looks to weekend to re-group

By Richard Haddad

Daily Sports Writer

At a critical juncture in the Big Ten season, the Michigan volleyball team finds itself in "a position we never thought we'd be in," according to coach Mark Rosen. That position is near the bottom of the conference standings.

This weekend, Michigan is offered a chance to begin the climb back.

Providing a break from the usually-brutal level of conference competition, Purdue (3-9 Big Ten, 10-12 overall) and Illinois (2-10, 11-12) visit Cliff Keen Arena on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

While the Wolverines currently sit in eighth place in the Big Ten, the Boilermakers and Illini cannot claim any better. Purdue is tied with Michigan, and Illinois is just behind, occupying ninth place.

After beginning the year ranked in the Top 25 and maintaining that national recognition for several weeks, Michigan's place in the national picture has severely diminished. While this weekend's opponents grant an excellent opportunity to improve NCAA tournament hopes, the Wolverines cannot afford to overlook either.

Despite its unimpressive record, Purdue has defeated Michigan in five consecutive matches, including this year's four-game victory in West Lafayette, but the nature of Michigan's most recent loss is encouraging.

"Last time, Purdue played phenomenal defense," Rosen said, "while we made way too many mistakes and errors. They competed exceptionally, while we didn't, and when the other team plays above its ability and we play below ours, that's a bad combination."

If Michigan focuses on its own side of the net, plays a controlled game and forces the Boilermakers to earn their points, a much-needed victory should be within the grasp of maize-and-blue hands.

In stark contrast, Michigan has already swept Illinois in Champaign. But regardless of past results, "Every match in the Big Ten is important because every team can beat you on any given night," Rosen said.

"These guys are in the same grouping as we are, so its key for us to stay ahead of them."

Two wins this weekend will cement that objective and keep Michigan out of the cellar. And meeting that objective will push it closer to a slot in the NCAA Tournament. Although they earned an invitation after an eighth-place conference finish last season, Rosen calls the Wolverines' chances of returning "a long shot."

"We need to win a couple big matches and finish strong to get in," he said, noting that "we have the ability and the opportunity, but we just need to start doing in on the court."

This weekend, at home, the Wolverines enjoy optimal conditions for that start.