State provides 'M' rst Big Ten test

By Kristen Fidh

For The Daily

As the preconference season comes to an end, the Michigan volleyball team begins the Big Ten season tonight at Michigan State with high hopes.

This past Saturday, the Wolverines were all smiles as they emerged champions of the Fayetteville Invitational. Led by seniors Sarah Behnke and Alija Pittenger, the team hit over .313 against Arkansas and averaged 17.7 kills.

Now the team must face the fierceness of the 17th-ranked Spartans.

Although No. 21 Michigan's 8-1 record is slightly more impressive than Michigan State's 7-2, the Wolverines enter the match as the underdogs.

It's "a very big team, a very experienced team and a very skilled team," Rosen said. "We will try to stay within our system and if we control the ball well, there will be some positive results."

Adding to positive hopes is Behnke's rapidly improving health.

"It was great to see her come back after her injury and do so well against Houston (in Fayetteville)," Rosen said. Behnke "has quite a bit of talent and athleticism to be able to adapt to lineup changes since she has been absent."

Also recently returning is senior Joanna Fielder, who had suffered a shoulder injury. In addition to her on-court abilities, Fielder is especially noteworthy in her compatability with junior Katrina Lehman.

"They play the same position and play well together, helping the team to get a good rhythm," Rosen said.

Lehman said the two are able to look to each other for motivation and strength on and off the court.

"Because you need another person who knows your position and what you go through, we decided that we would keep each other going," Lehman said. "On the court, we keep each other constant and ready for the next play. Joanna is an amazing player, and when she is on, she is unstoppable."

If Lehman and Fielder find that rhythm to carry the team, the Wolverines may find themselves tough to beat tonight in East Lansing. But to give themselves a chance at an upset of the Spartans, Michigan will have to fine-tune a few key skills.

The team's first conference practice consisted mostly of ball control. But now Rosen focuses on choreographed plays and exact drills.

"To beat State, we will have to pass well and run a fast offense," Lehman said. "We also need to serve tough because, if we get them off-balance, it will be harder for them to run their plays."