Facing its second consecutive ranked opponent, the Michigan volleyball team came out swinging.
But No. 7 Wisconsin (11-1 overall, 4-0 Big Ten) was more than up to the challenge, harnessing strong leadership in a hard-fought clash with the Wolverines (11-4, 1-3). Ultimately, Michigan’s tenacity wasn’t enough to secure an upset, as it fell in straight sets to the Badgers, 3-0.
Power was paramount for both teams early in the first set, as star players roused the match into an offensive shootout. Wolverines graduate outside hitter Allison Jacobs and Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer, each top five in the Big Ten in kills, set the tone for their respective teams. Colyer started the game off with a powerful kill, while a subsequent rally was finished emphatically by Jacobs.
Michigan came flying out of the blocks, taking advantage of its opponent’s service issues to maintain control of the first set’s offensive momentum. But the Badgers responded with a quick Colyer kill and a block to tie the match at six early.
Key to the Wolverines’ strong start was their opponents’ difficulty in establishing themselves at the net. Senior middle blocker Serena Nyambio’s three blocks prevented Wisconsin’s prolific offense from ramping up, as Michigan led, 19-16.
As the Wolverines looked to close out a first set victory, Colyer refused to be denied by Michigan’s defense. Her impressive individual performance, combined with an improvement in service efficiency, rallied the Badgers to tie the set at 20 apiece. Once afforded the opportunity to settle into the match, the Wisconsin offense hummed, seizing control to go on a late run and take the first set, 25-22.
Both teams maintained a high level of play entering the second set, as the battle between a strong Wolverine front row and Wisconsin’s orderly passing characterized the proceedings. Critical in sustaining Michigan’s attack was excellent playmaking from junior setter Morgan Burke, who led the Wolverines with 29 assists and 11 digs.
“It was very back and forth the whole entire match, and I think we did a good job of just staying together, working point by point,” Burke said. “I didn’t feel like there were many runs that the other team got on.”
The back-and-forth rhythm of the set played to Michigan’s strengths by highlighting its dynamic playstyle. As Burke set up Demetrician for a kill to put the Wolverines up 11-8, they finally appeared to be in the driver’s seat.
Yet Colyer was the catalyst for another Badger comeback, as her efficient hitting, coupled with service errors from Michigan, put Wisconsin back on top midway through the second set, 15-14.
The underlying competition between each team’s premier attacker proved integral to the outcome of the set. Although Wolverines kill leader Jacobs hit nine kills by the end of the second, her four attack errors allowed the Badgers to regain possession and press the attack. In comparison, Colyer’s 15 kills, accompanied by only a single error, denied Michigan opportunities to establish momentum. This proved to be the difference that pushed Wisconsin through to win the second set, 25-22.
By the third set, the Wolverines faced an uphill battle against the Badgers, despite an initial 10-8 lead. Wisconsin once again responded by rallying off four straight points, as it began to find a comfortable groove. The Badgers’ front row also adjusted to their previous struggles by pushing forward to the net, overwhelming Michigan and finishing the match with 11 blocks to the Wolverines’ five.
As the teams continued to exchange blows, the set went down to the wire. Michigan remained trailing late, but another Burke-Jacobs connection brought it within arm’s length, 19-18. Even so, amid a frantic, rapidly accelerating set, the Wolverines were unable to slow down Colyer as she connected on three late kills, leading her team to a third set victory, 25-20.
Ultimately, Michigan’s commitment to playing their offensive style of volleyball fed into the strengths of its opponent: the faster the match became, the more they struggled to defend Wisconsin’s star.
“You know, we’re not gonna stop her,” Wolverines coach Erin Virtue said. “I don’t know that anyone does, but we had to slow her down. … We just didn’t do a good enough job.”
In its duel with Wisconsin’s offensive juggernaut, the Wolverines played the match on their own, fast-paced terms. But by its end, Colyer and the Badgers showed them that those who live by the sword can die by it too.
