Michigan
5-0
Arkansas
0-5
Wolverines Cruise Past Arkansas for Day's Second Win
9/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Score: Michigan 3, Arkansas 0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-16)
Records: U-M (5-0), Arkansas (0-5)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Sept. 7 C at Georgia Tech (Atlanta, Ga.), 2 p.m.
Boxscore
ATLANTA, Ga. -- Led by a balanced offensive showing, including a team-best 10 kills from junior Veronica Rood(Temperance, Mich./Bedford), the University of Michigan volleyball team won its fifth consecutive match, defeating Arkansas by a score of 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-16) at the Georgia Tech Invitational Saturday night (Sept. 6) in O'Keefe Gymnasium.
Michigan got off to a fast start behind back-to-back service aces by freshman Sloane Dohnoff(Louisville, Ky./Assumption) and two straight points from freshman Courtney Fletcher(Duluth, Ga./Northview) to build a 7-3 early lead. The Wolverines swelled the advantage to 15-8, forcing Arkansas into its first timeout of the night and U-M responded with three-straight points off the break en route to a 25-14 victory.
The U-M offense hit stride in set two, combining for 16 kills and battling through six ties and two lead changing before putting away the Razorbacks, 25-20. Sophomore Lexi Zimmerman(Barrington, Ill./Barrington) continued to spread the attack with 10 assists, four of which went to senior Beth Karpiak (LaGrange, Ill./Lyons Township) to lead all attackers in the set. Michigan continued to take advantage of Arkansas miscues as well, out-hitting the Razorbacks .426 to .115 in the second frame.
The third set saw Arkansas race out to its best start of the night, carrying a 7-4 lead before watching Michigan take control down the stretch for a convincing 25-16 win. Freshman Alex Hunt(Granger, Ind./South Bend St. Joseph) was the offensive story, tallying a career-high 5 kills -- all in the final seven points of the match -- as U-M finished off the Razorbacks for the three-set sweep.
Eight different Wolverine players tallied kills in the contest, led by Rood's 10. Karpiak was next in line with seven, while juniors Megan Bower(Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) and Juliana Paz(Porto Alegre, Brazil/Iowa Western CC) had six apiece.
Michigan also got the job done defensively, combining for five team blocks and 40 digs. Senior Kerry Hance(Los Angeles, Calif./Marymount) led the back row for the second straight match, with a match-high 10 digs.
The win sets up a showdown with fellow unbeaten Georgia Tech Sunday (Sept. 7) at 2 p.m. in the final match of the Georgia Tech Invitational at the O'Keefe Gymnasium
N O T E S
Freshman Courtney Fletcher made an impact in her homecoming Saturday night. The reigning Georgia High School Player of the Year posted four kills in her first action of the weekend.
Sophomore Lexi Zimmerman posted 33 assists, her fourth straight match and the 37th of her career eclipsing the 30-assists plateau.
Michigan is now 4-0 all-time versus Arkansas after its 3-0 win Saturday night.
Senior Kerry Hance appeared in her 103rd consecutive match Saturday night, tops among active Wolverines.
All five of the Wolverines' wins this season have been 3-0 sweeps.
U-M defeated Georgia State earlier in the day, 3-0: Recap
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Mark Rosen
On the victory... "I though we defended very well tonight and our defense was solid. We were very balanced offensively which makes things a lot easier when you don't have to rely on one player. Each game we are getting production from different people and that is helping us tremendously."
On the differences between set-one and the rest of the match... "I think we tend to be, and will continue to be, a streaky team because we rely on points in bunches. We are going to rely on our serve and getting into defense. Our games are going to be that way where we have to crack through. I think some of that tonight is attributed to Arkansas. They were able to hang with us tough before we were finally able to crack through"
On the play of freshman Alex Hunt... "She was impressive. She shows us that in practice everyday. She is very offensively gifted with a fast arm swing and Lexi (Zimmerman) has a lot of confidence in her. We are excited about Alex's play tonight and even more excited to have her in our program."
On tomorrow's match versus Georgia Tech... "It is going to be the biggest match of our young season. There will be a ton of excitement. They will have a great crowd and it will be very loud as usual there. This match will help us learn a lot about our team. I am looking forward to see who responds well and how we handle the challenge."
Contact: Matt Fancett (734) 763-4423
