Michigan
17-4, 5-4Big Ten
Iowa
12-9, 4-5Big Ten
Karpiak Powers Wolverines to Home Sweep of Iowa
10/24/2008 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Cliff Keen Arena)
Result: #20 Michigan 3, Iowa 0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-23)
Records: U-M (17-4, 5-4 Big Ten), Iowa (12-9, 4-5 Big Ten)
Attendance: 894
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Oct. 25 -- vs. #11 Minnesota (Cliff Keen Arena), 7 p.m.
Boxscore | Notes & Quotes | Photo Gallery | Video Report
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 20-ranked University of Michigan volleyball team made fast work of the visiting Iowa Hawkeyes on Friday night (Oct. 24), winning 3-0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-23) in Cliff Keen Arena. Senior Beth Karpiak(LaGrange, Ill./Lyons Township) led the way with 14 kills, while freshman Alex Hunt(Granger, Ind./South Bend St. Joseph) added 11 and sophomore Lexi Zimmerman(Barrington, Ill./Barrington) dished out 39assists to key the win.
The host Wolverines found themselves down early in set one as Iowa built a three-point lead, 12-9, forcing Michigan into its first timeout of the night. The Maize and Blue responded out of the break, reeling off five of the next eight points to close the gap to 15-14 and force Iowa into its first timeout. U-M continued its momentum out of the Hawkeye break to eventually grab the lead on a termination from junior Juliana Paz(Porto Alegre, Brazil/Iowa Western CC), moving the score to 18-17. Michigan then scored two more unanswered points to grab its largest lead of the frame, 20-17, and force Iowa into its second timeout. Out of the huddle, Iowa chipped away at the lead, coming within one point, 21-20. Michigan extended its lead to set point, 24-23, only to see Iowa force a tie and extend the match before a kill by Hunt and a Hawkeye attack error ended set one in Michigan's favor, 26-24.
In set two, Michigan jumped on top early and held its lead throughout en route to a 25-18 victory. Zimmerman piloted a balanced offensive attack in set two, dishing out 15 assists as six Wolverines registered kills, paced by Karpiak and junior Megan Bower(Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) with four terminations each. The Wolverines also used solid defense, registering four blocks in the set.
After falling behind 1-0 in set three, Michigan reeled off four straight points, including a pair of aces from Bower, to take a 4-1 lead and force an Iowa timeout. Michigan extended the lead from there, pushing it to seven points, 14-7, as Iowa spent its final timeout of the frame. The huddle proved to be effective as the Hawkeyes put together an 8-2 run out of the break to get within one point, 16-15. Following a Michigan timeout, Iowa tied the set at 16-all and eventually took a 21-20 lead, but Michigan battled back with a pair of Karpiak kills and a Zimmerman termination to win 25-23.
The Michigan defense was solid with freshman Sloane Donhoff(Louisville, Ky./Assumption) leading the way with 10 digs. Karpiak, who hit .591 (14-1-22) to lead Michigan's .241 team attack percentage, also tallied five block assists as part of an 11-block night for the Maize and Blue.
Michigan will be back in action on Saturday night (Oct. 25), hosting No. 11-ranked Minnesota at 7 p.m. at Cliff Keen Arena in a match that will be aired on the Big Ten Network at 4 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 26).
Contact: Matt Fancett (734) 763-4423
