Michigan
4-0
Bowling Green State
5-2
Wolverines Open Home Campaign with Victory Over Falcons
9/11/1998 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Site:Â Ann Arbor, Mich. (Cliff Keen Arena)
Score:Â Michigan 3, Bowling Green State 0 (15-7, 15-7, 15-6)
Team Records:Â U-M (4-0), BGSU (5-2)
Next Match:Â Friday, Sept. 11 -- vs. North Carolina (Cliff Keen Arena), 8 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In its initial home appearance of the 1998 season, the University of Michigan volleyball team came away with a three-game win over Bowling Green State (15-7, 15-7, 15-6) on Friday (Sept. 11) in the Wolverines' first of four weekend matches in the All Sport® Challenge.
Michigan got the match off to a solid start with a win in the opening game 15-7. The Wolverines were led by senior captain Jane Stevens (Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou HS), who combined excellent attack and service play throughout the game. Stevens finished the match with a career-best attack percentage of .647 (11-0-17) to go along with a team-high three service aces.
Game two turned out to be a game of runs as Michigan went out to a early lead (8-2) only to see the Falcons trim the deficit to two at 8-6. After a timeout, the Wolverines delivered four consecutive points to extend their lead to 12-6 before closing it out 15-7. In the finale, Michigan once again jumped out to the early lead (6-2) and held off a Falcon rally to close out the match 15-6.
Senior Karen Chase (Orinda, Calif./Miramonte HS) led Michigan in kills with 16. Delivering another solid effort was Alija Pittenger (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial HS), who led the Maize and Blue in assists (28) and digs (13).
MATCH BESTS
Kills: U-M 56 (Karen Chase 16); BGSU 33 (Heather Murphy 14)
Assists: U-M 53 (Alija Pittenger 28); BGSU 29 (Heather Greig 23)
Service Aces: U-M 8 (Jane Stevens 3); BGSU 2 (two tied with 1)
Digs: U-M 47 (Alija Pittenger 13); BGSU 30 (Lori Kemerer 9)
Blocks: U-M 9 (Linsey Ebert 5); BGSU 2 (three tied with 1)
NOTES
• The Michigan victory runs its series record against Bowling Green State to 11-2.
• Michigan's four straight wins to open the season mark the first time Michigan has accomplished that since head coach Greg Giovanazzi's initial season of 1992, when the Wolverines began the season 5-0.
• The Wolverines' victory was their first three-game triumph of the year after winning each of their first three matches in four games.
• Karen Chase has led Michigan in kills in three of the first four matches.
