Marquette University
University of Michigan
Undefeated Michigan Blanks Volleyball, 3-0
9/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 8, 2006
MILWAUKEE - The Marquette volleyball team dropped its opening match of the Michigan/Pepsi Challenge Friday morning at Cliff Keen Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich., 3-0 (26-30, 20-30, 21-30), to Michigan. Despite the loss, senior Jamie Mueller tallied her seventh-straight double-double of the season, leading MU with 11 kills and 11 digs. With the loss, the Golden Eagles fell to 2-5 on the season, while the Wolverines remained perfect, improving to 8-0.
Michigan won the first game of the match, 30-26, but not before a strong defensive showing by Marquette. The Golden Eagles won the first point of the match on a solo block by junior Kim Todd, one of the team's five blocks in the first frame.
The Wolverines took their first lead of the game at 2-1, and made it last until the Golden Eagles tied the score at 4-4.
The teams traded points and found them selves tied at 8-8 when MU went on a 3-0 run, taking the lead at 11-8 on a solo block by senior Nicole Wallace.
The Golden Eagles extended their lead to 16-12, their largest of the game, before a 5-1 charge by the Wolverines tied the game at 17-17.
Again, the teams matched each other point for point until Marquette used a 3-0 run, thanks in part to kills by Mueller and junior Monica Renfrow, to take the lead at 22-20.
Michigan inched its way back and found itself ahead by one at 26-25, before scoring four of the final five points to win the first game, 30-26.
Renfrow led the Golden Eagles with three kills in the frame.
The second game was an up and down battle for Marquette, which trailed early, 4-0, before a kill by freshman Leslie Bielski ignited a 7-0 run for the Golden Eagles, giving them the lead at 7-4.
Back came Michigan, however, scoring four of the next five points to tie the game at 8-8, before regaining the lead at 11-10.
A 10-3 run by the Wolverines put them on top 19-13, forcing a timeout by the Golden Eagles, but out of the huddle, MU was still unable to light a spark and get back into the match, as Michigan extended its lead to 25-15, matching its largest of the game.
The Wolverines went on to win the second frame, 30-20.
Mueller tallied four kills in the game to lead Marquette, which hit a match-best 12.5 percent.
The Wolverines carried their momentum into the final game, taking the lead in the frame on the first point and holding it throughout.
Michigan held leads of 6-3 and 10-6, before extending its advantage to seven at 19-12.
At that point, the Golden Eagles went on a 5-0 run to cut the lead to 19-17, forcing a Wolverine timeout.
Out of the break, Michigan went on an 11-4 run to close the game, 30-21.
Helmbrecht finished with four blocks (2 BS, 2 BA) to lead MU.
Junior Katie Bruzdzinski led the Wolverines with 16 kills, and teammate Erin Penn tallied a double-double (14 K, 12 D) in the win.
The Golden Eagles will look to even their tournament record against the Pacific Tigers at 4 p.m. CT.
