Keeping a high-energy pace for an entire volleyball match is no easy task. And when it’s the second game of the day — against the same team — that challenge becomes even greater.
For the Michigan volleyball team on Sunday, though, this arduous task proved to be a non-issue. The Wolverines (3-0 overall) utilized an aggressive game plan against Kent State (0-3) to thwart a mid-match comeback by the Golden Flashes and ultimately win, 3-1.
“We know the importance of momentum and energy,” graduate outside hitter Allison Jacobs said. “But at the beginning of this weekend, specifically looking at Sunday, we knew we had a double-header and that we needed to find that baseline energy that was able to be consistent throughout. And it was really cool. I think towards the end of the match, we ended up getting higher energy.”
The energy that propelled Michigan to its first win was maintained throughout the second. Tied at 11 apiece in the first set, the Wolverines’ cohesive unit got to work with a four-point swing in its favor, highlighted by an ace from sophomore outside hitter Valentina Vaulet. Cruising to a first set victory, Michigan ended the set in style with a strong spike by junior middle blocker Serena Nyambio right at a Flashes blocker.
But a high-energy, aggressive game plan is volatile, full of peaks and valleys that the Wolverines couldn’t escape Sunday. Despite being on cruise control throughout the day, Michigan began to run out of gas in the second set, falling into a large deficit after a streak of block errors. Losing the set 25-12, it was an unexpected setback for a team that prides itself on energy. But the Wolverines didn’t dwell on it — in fact, they used it to provide insights.
“That was great for us to get exposed in that (set),” Michigan coach Erin Virtue said. “And this early in the season, you want to be exposed because you’re trying to find ways to continue to fine tune what we are. We’re so far from a finished product, and so we’re just trying to learn more about ourselves. And when a team exposes us like that, it’s a chance to learn more about who our personnel are.”
That energy-based unpredictability continued into the third set, but the Wolverines were determined not to repeat their same mistakes. After falling into yet another sizable hole, Michigan went on a run of its own to keep the set close. Pressing their advantage, the Wolverines forced the Flashes to make mistakes, recording three straight points to take a 20-19 lead. With a back-and-forth finish, Michigan pulled ahead late and capped off the set with a kill by freshman outside hitter Ella Demetrician to win, 25-22.
Even after playing its sixth set of the day, the Wolverines knew their time on the court was far from over. It would likely take near another 50 points played, at a minimum, to close out a win.
But with the momentum squarely in its favor, Michigan cruised to a fourth-set victory as its energy stayed just as vibrant as it did earlier. After going on a run of five straight points — including three aces by Vaulet — the Wolverines never looked back and won the set, 25-14, and therefore the match. Starting and ending the match in the same fashion, Michigan stuck to its game plan by keeping the Flashes on their back foot.
“Just coming into this, we respected the opponents and wanted to learn a lot about ourselves but also come away with W’s,” Virtue said. “And I like that we did that, and I like that there were some performances that improved throughout the match.”
Keeping the energy high and improving their play throughout, the Wolverines powered themselves to a strong victory. And with its attack-heavy focus, Michigan fed off its own energy and embraced the challenge that a two-match day holds.
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