Michigan
13-8, 3-7Big Ten
Minnesota
20-1, 9-1Big Ten
Michigan Drops 3-0 Decision to No. 7-Ranked Minnesota
10/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Site:Â Ann Arbor, Mich. (Cliff Keen Arena)
Result: #7 Minnesota 3, Michigan 0 (15-5, 15-9, 15-9)
Records: U-M (13-8, 3-7 Big Ten), Minnesota (20-1, 9-1 Big Ten)
Next U-M Match:Â Friday, Oct. 28 -- at Penn State (State College, Pa.), 7:30 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan volleyball team lost a tough three-game match (15-5, 15-9, 15-9) to No. 7 Minnesota tonight (Saturday, Oct. 21) at Cliff Keen Arena. The Wolverines put up a strong fight throughout the match despite losing for the second night in a row on their home court. Freshman Chantel Reedus (Woodridge, Ill./Downers Grove South HS) led the team with 10 kills and 11 digs, and junior Shannon Melka (Wheaton, Ill./St. Francis HS) tossed up a total of 35 sets.
After falling behind 6-0, Michigan matched strong kills and solid digs with Minnesota throughout the first game, but would only come as close as 7-3 for the remainder of game one. Minnesota won the first game 15-5, but only after the Wolverines fought to save six game points. Reedus consistently pounded the ball from the outside for a series of sideouts at 14-5. Reedus and junior oustide hitter Nicole Kacor (Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley HS) each racked up five kills in the first game.
The Wolverines pumped up their energy and offense at the start of game two. Reedus continued to smoke the ball from the outside and Michigan upped its net play and defense for a three-point run to cut the gap to 7-5. Melka finessed a medley of quick sets to junior Katrina Lehman (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Marian HS) and senior Joanna Fielder (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor HS), who downed several balls to keep the Wolverines alive. Freshman Erin Moore (Tiffin, Ohio/Columbian HS) also offered solid play at net, with a hitting percentage of .333 and one block for the match. Despite the play of Michigan's middle blockers, the Wolverines were only able to hit .064 (16-13-47) for the game and the Gophers pulled away with a 15-9 win.
Michigan fired up its play once again in game three as Melka tallied her third and final service ace of the match. The third game was defined by point after point of fierce hitting and agile digging on both sides. Senior Alija Pittenger (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial HS) stepped in with three kills and five digs as Michigan took an opening lead of 6-2 forced Minnesota to call its first timeout of the match. Minnesota regained momentum and answered Michigan with a 6-0 run of its own. After Michigan cut the lead to 8-7, Minnesota responded with six consecutive points to reach match point. Reedus contributed seven digs in the third game and Melka spiced up solid setting with dinks to trim the deficit to 14-9, but a final hitting error by the Wolverines gave Minnesota a 15-9 game-three victory.
Michigan goes back on the road for Big Ten Conference action next weekend with matches at Penn State on Friday (Oct. 27) at 7:30 p.m. and at Indiana on Saturday (Oct. 28) at 7 p.m. CDT.
MATCH BESTS
Kills: U-M 48 (Chantel Reedus 10); Minnesota 53 (Nicole Branagh 23)
Assists: U-M 40 (Shannon Melka 35); Minnesota 49 (Lindsey Berg 41)
Service Aces: U-M 4 (Melka 3); Minnesota 6 (Yvonne VanOrt, Stephanie Hagen 2)
Digs: U-M 47 (Reedus 11); Minnesota 48 (VanOrt 13)
Blocks: U-M 6 (Katrina Lehman 3); Minnesota 17 (Hagen 9)
NOTES
• Michigan's 3-0 loss tonight marks the first time the Wolverines have been swept at home this season.
• Shannon Melka's three aces matched her season best. Her two block solos are a career best.
QUOTES
Michigan Head Coach Mark Rosen
On the match in general ... "I thought we stood up and competed pretty well. Minnesota's definitely a legitimate Top-10 caliber team and they just had a little too much firepower for us. Right now, we just have to concern ourselves with getting better every day in practice."
