Michigan
8-0
Marquette
2-5
Michigan Remains Undefeated With Sweep of Marquette
9/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan volleyball equaled a program record for perfect starts with its eighth straight win of the year, sweeping Marquette 3-0 (30-26, 30-20, 30-21) in the Wolverines' home opener Friday morning (Sept. 8) in the Michigan/Pepsi Challenge at Cliff Keen Arena.
The Wolverines improved to 8-0 on the season, matching the program record for most wins to begin a season. The 2004 and 1983 editions of the Wolverines started their seasons 8-0 before dropping a match.
Junior Katie Bruzdzinski (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) helped Michigan remain unblemished with a match-high 16 kills, giving her 21 straight matches with double-digit terminations. Bruzdzinski also hit a season-high .448 and added two service aces. Fifth-year senior Erin Penn (Dexter, Mich./Dexter) finished with 14 kills and three blocks, while junior Lyndsay Miller (Ida, Mich./Ida) cracked double digits with 10 terminations.
Michigan shook off the rust in game one, rallying from a 25-24 deficit to take the frame, 30-26, before running off to wins of 30-20 and 30-21 for the sweep.
Michigan did not hold a lead in game one until Bruzdinski slammed home her fifth kill of the frame to make it 20-19. Marquette scored the next three points to regain the lead until Miller sparked a four-point run to put U-M up 24-22. Virginia regained the lead at 25-24, but the Wolverines rallied to score six of the final seven points to take a one-game lead.
Michigan took command of game two with a 20-13 lead, cruising to a 2-0 lead in games, led by six kills from Penn.
The Golden Eagles fought hard in game three, keeping it close with the Wolverines ahead 20-18, but Penn and Karpiak teamed up for four kills down the stretch to pull U-M ahead en route to a comfortable win.
Michigan continues action in its home-opening tournament with a 7:30 p.m. match against Virginia Friday night. Saturday's tournament finale has the Wolverines playing Pacific in Crisler Arena. The match will begin 15 minutes after the Michigan football game against Central Michigan, approximately 3:30 p.m.
Contact: Richard Retyi (734) 763-4423
