'Dynamics' key as unproven contribute in win

By Adam Kaplan

For the Daily

After losing two conference games against Michigan State and Ohio State, the Michigan volleyball team managed to win a relatively easy match against Toledo last night.

Several youthful players off the bench, including outside hitter Chantel Reedus and middle blocker Erin Moore, were given some quality playing time.

"We don't really have any injuries," Coach Mark Rosen said. "We are tired. We have been on the road three weeks in a row, with consecutive midweek matches. It has been really good to get our older players some rest, while giving the younger players playing time."

Like every other team in the extremely competitive Big Ten, the Wolverines have had to deal with adversity playing on the road. But who said Michigan couldn't overcome such a challenge?

"The biggest thing for us is team dynamics - not so much skills, but playing together as a team," senior middle blocker Joanna Fielder said.

Apparently, the issue of team dynamics played a part in last night's match against Toledo. Defeating Toledo required more than just skilled play; it demanded that the bench players step up for the tired veterans and provide some positive contributions.

"This is the third time I've gotten to play. It is a lot of fun," said freshman Reedus, who saw sparse action in the team's other games.

Certainly, "Shawn," as teammates call her, made the most of her playing time. Reedus provided the team with four kills during some crucial parts of the second and third games.

"It was a great opportunity to get a lot more people in the lineup," Rosen said. "We did that and they did a great job. It's hard against the Big Ten to substitute much because the teams are pretty good across the board. So, I think it was good to get these younger players in and give them some experience and also for us to start to see what they can do."

For most of this grueling season to date, the Wolverines have been forced to find ways to claw back from defeat.

But the victory against Toledo, 3-0, convinced fans that the team can function on all cylinders. It must continue to do so to win the Big Ten.

Winning is about team dynamics and execution. And as Fielder suggested, the Wolverines may just have the ingredients for success - the skill, the will power and veteran leadership.

But to be successful in the Big Ten, Michigan must put all those components together.