After its first loss of the season only one day before, the Michigan women’s volleyball team was searching for a win to regain its steam. It was also the very same opponents who served the Wolverines their first loss of the season that they sought to defeat.
After a short-lived victory for the Cavaliers, the Wolverines were fueled up and dominant, and Michigan (7-1) secured a 3-0 win over Virginia (5-3), with a sweep in Charlottesville.
Michigan began the game with something to prove, launching lots of attacks towards Virginia from outside hitters like sophomore Ella Demetrician and graduate Allison Jacobs. The Cavaliers proved unable to catch up to the amount of firepower they faced, both early on and through the rest of the game
“We just really set our mentality in a different way,” Wolverines coach Erin Virtue said. “Just how we were going to approach this match, mentally and emotionally, as a team.”
The running start Michigan got wasn’t just a testament to its technical skill, but also the mindset it employed throughout the game.
The Wolverines approached the second set with this tuned-in mindset, attacking with a point-scoring percentage of 40% compared to the 28% Virginia was boasting. Jacobs spearheaded the offense, with a total of 15 kills by the end of the game and 40 attacks. As the set progressed the score became closer and closer, with kills in these tense moments by senior middle blocker Serena Nyambio keeping Michigan ahead. The Wolverine drive was a true embodiment of the feelings they booked from last night, and their win was a testament to the rebound mentality they came back with.
“We had a little bit by everyone to be able to survive this match,” Virtue said. “I think it’s nice to see different folks stepping up in different times when we need them.”
Offense wasn’t the only thing on the table for the Wolverines, as a fierce Cavalier roster called for everyone to be on high alert. Demetrician recorded a high number of digs to relieve some of this pressure for Michigan, with 13 by the end of just three sets. Sophomore middle blocker Jenna Hanes also contributed to the protection, with three blocks by the end of the game
The Wolverines’ attack didn’t end in the third and final set, but the Cavaliers began to catch up. Michigan began the set with a six-point lead at 12-6— a lead that didn’t last long as Virginia then shortly went on a 7-1 scoring run. The Wolverines failed to match this record, as their lack of kills during the latter half of the third set resulted in a momentary Cavalier lead.
The set only came to an end after a powerful offensive run from both teams, but the Virginia run was stopped in its tracks by the mental resilience of Michigan. This eventually ended in a decisive win for the Wolverines to close the curtains on the game once and for all.
The fire that Michigan left its loss with the day before provided it with motivation to coast on, and a drive to win the next game and even up its record against the Cavaliers.
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