Weekly Release #4
9/19/2000 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Upcoming Schedule
Wednesday, Sept. 20 -- at Michigan State (East Lansing, Mich.), 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 24 -- at Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio), 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 26 -- vs. Toledo (Cliff Keen Arena), 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 29 -- at Illinois (Champaign, Ill.), 7 p.m. CDT
Saturday, Sept. 30 -- at Purdue (West Lafayette, Ind.), 7 p.m. CDT
No. 21 Michigan Opens Big Ten Play on the Road
The 21st-ranked Michigan volleyball team (8-1, 0-0 Big Ten) puts its six-match winning streak on the line when it opens conference play at No. 17 Michigan State on Wednesday (Sept. 20, 7 p.m.) at Jenison Field House in East Lansing, Mich., and at No. 25 Ohio State on Sunday (Sept. 24, 2 p.m.) at St. John Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The Wolverines split their season series with both Michigan State and Ohio State in 1999, winning both matches at home while losing both on the road.
Scouting the Opponents
Ohio State -- No. 25 Ohio State is 10-0 ... Michigan will be Ohio State's first top 25 opponent of the season ... Ohio State's record in games this season is 30-3 ... Dana Stearns (3.84 kpg) and Katie Virtue (13.76 apg) lead the Ohio State attack ... Ohio State leads the Big Ten in kills (17.79 kpg) and service aces (2.12 sapg) ... Virtue is tops in the Big Ten in assists (13.76 apg) ... Ohio State on the Internet: www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com.
Michigan State -- No. 17 Michigan State is 7-2 ... Michigan State is 1-2 vs. top 25 competition in 2000, losing to then-No. 3 UCLA (1-3) and then-No. 4 Nebraska (0-3), while defeating then-No. 22 Notre Dame (3-2) ... Michigan State has won four straight, including three wins at the San Diego Invitational to win the title ... Michigan State leads the Big Ten in blocks (2.90 bpg) ... Spartan senior Jessica Sanborn leads the Big Ten in hitting percentage (.452, 97-22-166) ... Michigan State on the Internet: www.msuspartans.com.
State Pride on the Line
Not only do the Wolverines begin Big Ten play when they travel to Michigan State on Wednesday (Sept. 20), but Michigan and Michigan State will also renew their annual battle for "State Pride." Michigan won the 1999 series by out-pointing the Spartans 65-58 in their two matches, which were both won in sweeps by the home team. Michigan dropped a 0-3 (9-15, 6-15, 5-15) contest at East Lansing (Oct. 13), before returning the favor 3-0 (15-7, 15-5, 15-1) in Ann Arbor (Nov. 24). In the Wolverine victory, Michigan hit a conference season-best .404 (53-13-99) and was paced by Joanna Fielder (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor HS), who hit .519 (16-2-27), and Alija Pittenger (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial HS), with a .692 mark (11-2-13).
The following is a breakdown of the 10-year history of the "State Pride" series, with the in-state rivals winning five series apiece:
1990 Michigan (total games, 5-4)
1991 Michigan (total points, 130-117)
1992 Michigan (matches, 2-0)
1993 MSU (total games, 5-3)
1994 MSU (total games, 8-6)
1995 MSU (matches, 2-0)
1996 MSU (matches, 2-0)
1997 Michigan (total points, 101-89)
1998 MSU (matches, 2-0)
1999 Michigan (total points, 65-58)
Wolverines Look for First Win in Columbus
When Michigan takes on Ohio State on Sunday (Sept. 24) in Columbus the Wolverines will be trying to do something no Michigan volleyball has been able to accomplish before them -- win at Ohio State. The Maize and Blue is 0-19 at Ohio State, dating back to 1981. However, this will mark the first time Michigan has gone into a match at Ohio State as the higher-ranked team. Michigan enters the match ranked No. 21, while Ohio State comes in at No. 25. Michigan was able to earn a split of the 1999 series, which included a thrilling 3-2 (15-7, 13-15, 15-10, 13-15, 20-18) victory in Ann Arbor (Sept. 24) in the Big Ten opener. Joanna Fielder keyed the Michigan victory on that night with a career-best 10 blocks.
More NCAA Tournament Opponents
Michigan's matches this week at No. 17 Michigan State and No. 25 Ohio State will mark the fourth and fifth straight matches in which the Wolverines will be facing a team that made the 1999 NCAA Tournament field. Michigan recently disposed of Houston (3-2), Virginia (3-0) and Arkansas (3-0) at the Bank of Fayetteville Invitational (Sept. 15-16), all three of which were 1999 NCAA Tournament teams. Thus far in 2000, Michigan is 4-1 vs. 1999 NCAA Tournament participants:
| 9/2 | vs. Sacramento State | W, 3-0 (15-7, 15-8, 15-10) |
| 9/2 | at #11 Pacific | L, 0-3 (13-15, 12-15, 12-15) |
| 9/15 | vs. Houston | W, 3-2 (6-15, 15-7, 14-16, 15-8, 15-13) |
| 9/16 | vs. Virginia | W, 3-0 (15-1, 15-4, 15-6) |
| 9/16 | at Arkansas | W, 3-0 (15-5, 15-11, 15-9) |
Big Ten Still Loaded
The Big Ten Conference received a record eight bids to the 1999 NCAA Tournament and each of those teams advanced to at least the second round, with conference champion Penn State capturing the national title. With the 2000 Big Ten schedule ready to begin, the conference appears to be as strong as ever, with six teams residing in the latest Top 25 poll -- Penn State (3), Minnesota (9), Wisconsin (14), Michigan State (17), Michigan (21) and Ohio State (25). The Big Ten has posted an 89-22 (.802) record in non-conference action this season.
Wolverines Win Second Straight Tournament
Last week the Wolverines claimed their second consecutive tournament title, winning the Bank of Fayetteville Invitational at Barnhill Arena in Fayetteville, Ark. The Wolverines disposed of Houston 3-2 (6-15, 15-7, 14-16, 15-8, 15-13) on Sept. 15, then beat Virginia 3-0 (15-1, 15-4, 15-6) (Sept. 16) and host Arkansas 3-0 (15-5, 15-11, 15-9) on Sept. 16. The Wolverines hit .278 (215-76-500) for the weekend, including a sizzling, season-best .394 (53-12-104) in the win over Virginia. Senior outside hitters Sarah Behnke (Baroda, Mich./Lakeshore HS) and Alija Pittenger were named to the all-tournament team. Behnke hit .374 (53-13-107) for the tournament, while Pittenger notched 44 kills and 63 digs, including a career-best 36 digs in the win over Houston.
Kacor Catches Fire
Junior outside hitter Nicole Kacor (Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley HS) found her groove offensively at the Arkansas Bank of Fayetteville Invitational, leading the Wolverines with a hitting percentage of .379 (45-12-87) for the tournament. Kacor hit .300 (22-7-50) and collected a career-best 29 digs to go along with a season-best five blocks in Michigan's 3-2 comeback win over Houston. She followed that performance up with a personal season-best hitting mark of .688 (13-2-16) in the Wolverines' win over Virginia.
Behnke Returns
Sarah Behnke's all-tournament performance at the Arkansas Bank of Fayetteville Invitational is even more impressive when you consider it was her first live match action in over nine months. Due to an injured shoulder, Behnke was held out of Michigan's first six matches of the season, but she came off the bench in game one vs. Houston and helped spark a Michigan comeback victory with a hitting percentage of .367 (22-4-49) and 17 digs. Behnke also excelled in Michigan's win over Arkansas, notching a match-best 19 kills and hitting at a rate of .417 (19-4-36) for the match.
Wolverines Movin' Up
Michigan remained in the AVCA/USA Today Top 25 for the fourth straight week following its Arkansas Bank of Fayetteville Invitational championship this past weekend. Michigan's 3-0 mark at the Invitational allowed the Wolverines to move up two spots to No. 21 in the latest poll, which was released on Monday (Sept. 18). The highest ranking Michigan has ever achieved is No. 18, which it reached during a five-week stay in the poll last season.
USA Today/AVCA Division I Coaches Top 25 (9/18/00)
Team Pts Record LW 1. Nebraska (48) 1486 9-0 1 2. Hawaii (11) 1441 8-0 2 3. Penn State 1335 11-1 3 4. Colorado State 1288 11-1 4 5. Southern Cal (1) 1232 7-0 6 6. Long Beach State 1197 8-1 5 7. UCLA 1118 7-3 7 8. Pepperdine 1117 9-0 8 9. Minnesota 1087 11-0 9 10. Arizona 942 8-1 13 11. Stanford 830 7-2 11 12. Florida 796 6-3 12 13. Cal-Santa Barbara 714 6-3 14 14. Wisconsin 691 10-1 15 15. Brigham Young 686 7-3 10 16. Pacific 598 7-2 16 17. Michigan State 543 7-2 17 18. Utah 454 8-1 18 19. Santa Clara 449 9-1 21 20. Kansas State 316 8-2 22 21. MICHIGAN 247 8-1 23 22. Loyola Marymount 230 8-1 20 23. Texas A&M 175 5-3 19 24. Notre Dame 140 7-3 25 25. Ohio State 119 10-0 NR
Michigan in the Top 25 in 2000
Aug. 14 24th (preseason poll) Sept. 4 25th Sept. 11 23rd Sept. 18 21st
Chart Climbing
Michigan leads the Big Ten as a team in two statistical categories heading into conference action. The Wolverines lead the conference in assists (16.45 apg) and digs (19.34 dpg), while Alija Pittenger (4.66 dpg) and Nicole Kacor (4.45 dpg) are 1-2, respectively, in the Big Ten in digs.
Setting the Table
Much of Michigan's credit for its torrid hitting during its run to the Arkansas Bank of Fayetteville Invitational title can be attributed to junior setter Shannon Melka (Wheaton, Ill./St. Francis HS), who is averaging 13.76 apg for the season and is also hitting .307 (28-5-75). Melka's most productive match of the season came in the comeback win over Houston (Sept. 15) as she registered a career-best 85 assists to go with season bests in digs (15) and blocks (four).
700 Club
While collecting a match-best 14 digs in Michigan's win over Arkansas (Sept. 16), Alija Pittenger surpassed the 700 mark in career digs. Fellow senior Joanna Fielder joined the 700 club in kills after registering 11 in that same match.
Michigan All-Time Series vs. Upcoming Opponents
vs. Michigan State
All-Time Series: MSU leads, 36-21-1
In the 1990s: MSU leads, 12-8
Current "W" Streak: U-M, 1
Longest Series "W" Streak: MSU, 6 (1973-9/19/78)
vs. Ohio State
All-Time Series: OSU leads, 34-6
In the 1990s: OSU leads, 18-2
Current "W" Streak: OSU, 1
Longest Series "W" Streak: OSU, 20 (11/27/87-10/26/97)
2000 Season Match Bests (through Sept. 16)
TEAM Kills 98, vs. Houston (9/15) Attempts 262, vs. Houston (9/15) Hit Pct. .389 (53-16-95) vs. New Mexico (9/8) Assists 93, vs. Houston (9/15) Service Aces 9, vs. New Mexico (9/8) Digs 122, vs. Houston (9/15) Block Solo 4, vs. Maryland (9/1) Block Assist 24, vs. Houston (9/15) Total Blocks 13, vs. Houston (9/15)
INDIVIDUAL Kills 22, Nicole Kacor vs. Houston (9/15) 22, Sarah Behnke vs. Houston (9/15) Attempts 56, Alija Pittenger vs. Houston (9/15) Hit Pct. .900 (9-0-10), K. Lehman vs. New Mexico (9/8) Assists 85, Shannon Melka vs. Houston (9/15) Service Aces 5, Katrina Lehman vs. Northern Illinois (9/8) 5, Alija Pittenger vs. South Carolina (9/9) Digs 36, Alija Pittenger vs. Houston (9/15) Block Solo 2, Katrina Lehman vs. Maryland (9/1) 2, Annie Maxwell vs. Sacramento State (9/2) Block Assist 9, Joanna Fielder vs. Houston (9/15) Total Blocks 9, Joanna Fielder vs. Houston (9/15)Big Ten Conference Team Records (through Sept. 17)
BIG TEN OVERALL Minnesota 0-0 .000 11-0 1.000 Ohio State 0-0 .000 10-0 1.000 Penn State 0-0 .000 11-1 .917 Wisconsin 0-0 .000 10-1 .909 Indiana 0-0 .000 9-1 .900 MICHIGAN 0-0 .000 8-1 .889 Illinois 0-0 .000 9-2 .818 Michigan State 0-0 .000 7-2 .778 Purdue 0-0 .000 8-4 .667 Iowa 0-0 .000 3-3 .500 Northwestern 0-0 .000 3-7 .300
Big Ten Statistical Rankings
ALL GAMES TEAM INDIVIDUAL Hit Pct. 7th (.270) Nicole Poquette, 9th (.386) Assists 1st (16.45) Shannon Melka, 2nd (13.72) Blocks 7th (2.64) Katrina Lehman, 2nd (1.34) Kills 2nd (17.66) Alija Pittenger, 6th (4.17) Aces 3rd (1.90) Alija Pittenger, 4th (0.66) Katrina Lehman, 5th (0.55) Digs 1st (19.34) Alija Pittenger, 1st (4.66) Nicole Kacor, 2nd (4.45)
Michigan's 2000 Record ...
vs. ranked opponents 0-1 vs. unranked opponents 8-0 ALL three-game matches 7-1 ALL four-game matches 0-0 ALL five-game matches 1-0 BIG TEN three-game matches 0-0 BIG TEN four-game matches 0-0 BIG TEN five-game matches 0-0 in game one (ALL) 7-2 in game two (ALL) 8-1 in game three (ALL) 7-2 in game four (ALL) 1-0 in game five (ALL) 1-0 total games won-lost (ALL) 24-5 total games won-lost (BIG TEN) 0-0 points in total games (ALL) 417-245 points in total games (BIG TEN) 0-0 at Cliff Keen Arena (home) 3-0 on the road (away/neutral) 5-1
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
