Michigan volleyball suffers first Big Ten loss to Ohio State

The Michigan volleyball group entered its match Wednesday night time with upset on its thoughts. It entered 2-0 within the Large Ten, coming off a historic 3-0 sweep in opposition to No. 9 Penn State. The Wolverines (11-2, 2-1 Large Ten) hoped to trip that momentum into one other upset win over No. 6 Ohio State (6-5, 2-1).

However finally Michigan couldn’t pull off one other win and suffered its first Large Ten loss, 3-1, regardless of battling till the very finish.

“Our expectations are to play nicely and provides ourselves an opportunity to beat any group we’re taking part in,” Michigan coach Mark Rosen mentioned. “So I feel that that was the place we had been tonight.”

From the get-go, the Wolverines and Buckeyes traded leads each couple factors — there have been twelve ties and 6 lead modifications within the first set alone. The tense back-and-forth made for a set with an unpredictable final result till the set level.

However each time that Michigan had a chance to take the lead, a service or attacking error saved the set inside attain for Ohio State. The Wolverines hit .149 within the first set, far lower than their season common of .288. Senior center blocker Jess Robinson was the exception, hitting .857 within the set with six kills on seven makes an attempt.

The Buckeyes solely took management of the set at 22-21, the place they closed out on a three-point streak to win it 25-22.

“Tonight confirmed that we would have liked to be slightly steadier,” Rosen mentioned. “A few of that’s bodily, simply bodily having the ability to execute over and time and again when groups are placing strain on you. However a few of it’s additionally psychological, simply staying within the second, staying in that time.”

Michigan entered the second set taking part in scrappy, preventing for factors and increasing rallies. However because the set wore on, Ohio State went on a 7-1 streak to take a commanding 12-5 lead.

“I assumed tonight a number of instances we obtained in ruts or they’re scoring streaks of factors,” Rosen mentioned. “That’s one thing we actually need to attempt to get rid of. Groups are going to get a degree right here, level there, however once we surrender streaks of it, that’s the place it will get arduous to get again.”

The Wolverines didn’t stop simply but, responding with a 4-0 run of their very own powered by Robinson. Robinson had two blocks — one solo — and one kill to maintain Michigan in it, however her efforts weren’t sufficient to beat the Wolverines’ momentum-killing errors.

Each time that Michigan seemed primed to generate momentum and convey the set inside attain, an error stole the momentum away. Two service errors and three attacking errors at essential moments prevented the Wolverines from a rebound within the second set because the Buckeyes dominated, 25-18.

Regardless of being down two units, Michigan entered the third set with confidence and willpower.

“We went into the locker room, and (our captains) had been like, ‘we’re successful this set,’ like, ‘this sport just isn’t over,’ ” Robinson mentioned. “So I feel simply the management on the court docket and simply the best way we like took a deep breath, we dealt with it and I feel that actually simply turned us round.” 

Out of the break, the Wolverines confirmed that battle and their power picked up. Tied at 9, Michigan — powered by three blocks — received 9 of the following twelve factors, and by no means seemed again. That commanding lead solely constructed and the Wolverines took the third set, 25-17.

The fourth set started simply as tightly-contested as every previous one, with Michigan and Buckeyes buying and selling off every of the primary six factors. Ohio State took what gave the impression to be a commanding 17-8 lead, merely outplaying the Wolverines with dominance on the internet and in its assault.

However Michigan fought again, chopping the Buckeye result in one, forcing a timeout at 18-17.

Ohio State got here out of the timeout weapons blazing. Robinson got here again with one other kill, however her efforts fell brief. 

Finally, the early deficit price the Wolverines the set and the match as they misplaced, 25-21.

“Each single match goes to be a battle,” Mruzik mentioned. “(Within the Large Ten), you’re taking part in principally a prime 25 group each single time you step out on the court docket, so it’s a must to have some type of grit, some type of battle. And I feel this group … we’re tremendous gritty and we all know the way to join with one another and actually dial it in and know that each time the whistle blows, we’ve got an opportunity to win that time.”

That grit will serve Michigan nicely because it prepares to tackle the remainder of the Large Ten. In such a aggressive convention — the place six groups are ranked within the prime 25 — it’ll take tenacity and resilience to compete for each level of the match.

Regardless of the result tonight, the Wolverines confirmed a glimpse of the group they are often. In the event that they proceed to show that grit whereas limiting the array of expensive errors, they need to have the option compete within the Large Ten.