Michigan Upsets No. 9 Penn State, Downs Nittany Lion in Straight Sets – University of Michigan Athletics

» Michigan swept No. 9-ranked Penn State in straight units for the primary time in program historical past.
» The Wolverines’ final win over a top-10 ranked opponent got here through the 2018 season, when U-M beat fifth-ranked Wisconsin.
» Jess Mruzik led all gamers with 14 kills.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — The College of Michigan volleyball crew dominated ninth-ranked Penn State in straight units (25-19, 25-17, 25-19) on Saturday (Sept. 24) contained in the Nittany Lions’ Rec Corridor. The victory marked the primary straight-set win over Penn State in Michigan’s historical past.

Michigan (11-1, 2-0 Massive Ten) grabbed its second-ever win over Penn State in State Faculty, with the victory marking simply the sixth win for the Wolverines within the sequence (60 conferences). The Wolverines’ final win over a top-10 ranked opponent got here through the 2018 season, when U-M beat fifth-ranked Wisconsin.

The Wolverines received off to a sluggish begin, falling behind within the first set earlier than coming again to tie the rating at 13 on a kill from Kendall Murray. PSU responded with a kill to regain a one-point lead, however a slam from Jess Mruzik down the road tied the rating as soon as extra earlier than a kill from Jacque Boney gave U-M its first lead of the set. Michigan’s blocking and attacking items had been firing on all cylinders to shut out the primary set, which Michigan took, 25-19. 

Penn State (12-1, 1-1 Massive Ten) jumped out to a 5-2 result in begin the second set however Michigan punched proper again wtih a 7-0 run that featured three aces from Might Pertofsky for a 9-5 Wolverine lead. It was all Maize and Blue from there behind a balanced offensive assault, with Murray, Mruzik and Boney every recording three kills in a 25-17 win for a 2-0 lead within the match.

Michigan gained 4 of the primary 5 factors of the ultimate set, grabbing a 4-1 lead behind a block from Boney and Mruzik. After Penn State gained the following level to get inside two factors at 4-2, Michigan countered with a 6-1 run for a 10-4 lead on a Scottee Johnson kill. Michigan’s lead grew to as many as eight factors within the set because the Wolverines wrapped up the sweep with a 25-19 win.

Mruzik led all gamers with 14 kills whereas Boney totaled 9 on the evening whereas hitting at a .300 clip. Pertofsky added eight kills and was a drive on the service line as she recorded a match-high 4 service aces. 

Hannah Grant led the Wolverines’ defensive effort with 11 digs and the Wolverine entrance line mixed for 10.5 blocks, six of which got here from Boney. Johnson led the Wolverines with 22 assists and Maddie Dowd chipped in 15. 

Michigan will return to motion on Wednesday evening (Sept. 28) when the Wolverines host Ohio State at Crisler Middle for a Maize Out. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. and the match will air dwell on FS1.