Pittenger, Poquette keep killing pace for 'M'

By Albert Kim

Daily Sports Writer

On a team that is deep in talent, but supposedly without a dominant hitter, senior outside hitter Alija Pittenger and redshirt freshman Nicole Poquette have established themselves as the two-headed spiking machine that could lead the No. 23 Michigan volleyball team to great things.

The two blend youth and veteran leadership, and both are ranked in the top five on the team in nearly every statistical category.

With injuries besetting the front line of Michigan, both have stepped up and picked up the slack, not only offensively but defensively.

"Alija is the most versatile player on the team, and Nicole is the best blocker on the team," said sophomore middle blocker Katrina Lehman, who leads the team in blocks.

Pittenger leads the team in kills through six matches, is second in digs, and third in blocks. Through her play, she has provided the senior leadership that this team needs.

"Alija is an incredible player and an amazing athlete," Lehman said. "She's a quiet player on the court, but she gets the job done."

Last weekend at the All-Sport Challenge in Ann Arbor, Pittenger not only led the team in kills, she stepped up at every crucial moment in the championship match.

Up by just one in the first game, Pittenger served four straight points to effectively put South Carolina away. Down 11-7 in the third game, Pittenger served five straight points to stake the Wolverines to a one-point lead and eventual victory.

"I feel pretty comfortable on the court, and I just tried to stay consistent," Pittenger said.

Poquette has quietly led the team in an often overlooked category, kill percentage, with an impressive .417. That means that more than four out of 10 sets to Poquette are kills. She is also second in blocks.

"Nicole had to come in and fill some very big shoes, since Sarah was injured, and she did an amazing job," Lehman said.

"She's confident, and she's only a freshman."

Lehman shined in the Challenge leading the team in, not surprisingly, kill percentage.

"I was a little bit more nervous and excited here. I still felt I played pretty well," Poquette said.

Two players, one near the end of her Michigan career, and one at the beginning. One season, and one goal.

Let the killing begin.