Volleyball rivalry reaches crucial point

By Kristen Fidh

Daily Sports Writer

The rivalry is not just about a logo-decorated banner and numbers in the record book. It ranges from athletics to academics - which school lies in the better partytown and which campus is the most photogenic. The Michigan-Michigan State rivalry, on all levels, is about pride.

Today, the Michigan volleyball team (5-9 Big Ten, 15-10 overall) battles the 12th-ranked Spartans for the second time this season in hopes of stealing the "State Pride Series."

The series originated in 1990 with the goal of generating better campus involvement in both cities. The green-and-blue banner currently hangs in Cliff Keen arena - tonight's destination - where the 5-5 series tie will be broken.

Volleyball's champion is determined by which team wins both matches during the regular season. When matches are tied, the criteria moves to most games claimed. When games are tied, the winner is crowned by the combined points of all matches in both meetings.

At the last intrastate confrontation on Sept. 20, Michigan State was victorious, but the Wolverines await the brawl as they still have a chance to win.

"The girls are pretty excited and fired up for this competition," Michigan coach Mark Rosen said. "We really hope to have a lot of fan support at this match."

Although Michigan State sits two places above the Wolverines in the Big Ten, who is tied for fifth, the Spartans have lost four of their past six matches.

This past weekend, the Wolverines swept both Purdue and Illinois at home. The win snapped Michigan's four-match losing streak.

"We just need to play with some really good defense," Rosen said. "The execution needs to be steady, not giving up long streaks of points, and we need to block well."

Michigan typically develops its strength through the middle first, allowing the outside hitters to have strong hitting opportunities. This allows for powerhouses like senior co-captain Sarah Behnke to rack up 1,026 career kills and freshmen attackers Chantel Reedus and Erin Moore to dominate the ball.

"Certainly this is the kind of match we want to take," Rosen said. "Not only is it good competition against Michigan State, but we really hope to get the place rocking."

Sponsored by the Phillips Corporation, the rivalry will offer something more than usually expected on a given night in Ann Arbor. Megaphones will be awarded to the first 500 spectators with prizes given away throughout the competition.

DVD and MP3 players, stereo clock radios, a five-inch portable television and t-shirts will be given out during the evening.

"Phillips Corporation is coming on as a new sponsor for Michigan volleyball in order to help drive attendance for the UM-MSU game and in getting their product in front of the fans," Michigan advertising representative Christina Rende said.

Cliff Keen Arena

Tonight

Who: Michigan vs. Michigan State

When: 7:00 p.m. tonight

Latest: Phillips Co. is sponsoring the "State Pride Series" by awarding DVD and MP3 payers, clock radios, portable televisions throughout the match.