Michigan
15-1, 3-0Big Ten
Northwestern
9-6, 0-3Big Ten
Michigan Overpowers Northwestern in Dominating Sweep
10/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 2, 2009
• Box Score |
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Cliff Keen Arena)
Score: #6 Michigan 3, Northwestern 0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-12)
Records: U-M (15-1, 3-0 Big Ten), Northwestern (9-6, 0-3 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Oct. 3 -- vs. Illinois (Cliff Keen Arena), 7 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan volleyball team rolled past visiting Northwestern, 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-12), on Friday night (Oct. 2) in the Big Ten home opener at Cliff Keen Arena.
Michigan used a balanced offensive attack in the win as senior Juliana Paz (Porto Alegre, Brazil/Iowa Western CC) and sophomore Alex Hunt (Granger, Ind./South Bend St. Joseph) led the way with nine kills apiece. Seven different Wolverines tallied terminations as junior Lexi Zimmerman (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) dished out 31 assists and senior Megan Bower (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) added a team-high 12 digs.
In the third and final set, Michigan used a 13-5 run to take a 23-11 lead and seal the 25-12 win. Bower posted four kills in the frame, while senior Veronica Rood (Temperance, Mich./Bedford) added three and sophomore/freshman Claire McElheny (Westfield, Ind./Brebeuf Prep) added the match winner on her first swing of the night as Michigan posted a .517 attack percentage.
The first and second sets were mirror images of each other as the Wolverine offense kicked into gear midway through each set to cruise to 25-17 victories. Michigan hit .481 in set one, while the defense held Northwestern to a -.036 clip in set two.
The Wolverines are back in action on Saturday (Oct. 3) when they host No. 12 Illinois in Keen Arena. Match time is set for 7 p.m. with MGoBlue.com carrying a live radio broadcast and live stats.
N O T E S
• Michigan is 3-0 to start conference play for the first time since the 1997 season.
• The three-set sweep of Northwestern was the 12th sweep of the year for Michigan.
• Michigan has now won three straight versus Northwestern and seven of the last 11.
Contact: Matt Fancett (734) 763-4423
