Michigan is swept for the first time this season by Illinois

Following a difficult 2023 campaign, the Michigan volleyball team came out to a sprinting start to the season. But, this Friday, the Wolverines’ (13-2 overall, 2-2 Big Ten) run was decidedly interrupted by a sweep from a well-coordinated Illinois (9-5, 1-3). 

“I don’t think we stuck to Michigan volleyball,” senior middle blocker Jaqueline Boney said. “This is a great learning opportunity for us, to figure out how to adapt in the game and … to come back.”

The sure-footedness of the Fighting Illini was apparent from the first set as they opened with two wells-truck kills through the six Wolverines. However, Michigan was quick to return the favor with strong strikes from sophomore outside hitter Valentina Vaulet. As the set progressed, the Wolverines battled as a unit to keep pace with Illinois. 

“(Michigan) did a really good job not panicking and keeping our poise,” Wolverines coach Erin Virtue said.

The Illini, however, raised the pressure during a nine-one-run that exposed limitations to Michigan’s setup, propelling them to a seven-point lead late in the set. Despite the best efforts of senior libero Maddie Cuchran, Illinois forced the Wolverines hole that it couldn’t escape from, losing the first set 25-19.

Michigan coming into the second set. While they dropped the first point, the Wolverines responded with a 7-2 run that forced the Illini to take an early timeout. Although Illinois came out fighting, it couldn’t shake the well-knit Michigan defense.

The Wolverines scrambled across the court, communicating to secure precise kills deep on the court. They flew away with a 5-1 run, forcing the Illini to take their second timeout of the set, trailing 13-9. Illinois was quick to step on the gas coming out of the timeout with three quick successives strikes from Illini outside hitter Raina Terry to recapture the momentum.

As Illinois fought back to tie the set at 21, Michigan was forced to take a time out hoping to find the same energy and urgency that it began the set with. But the Illini did not waver, taking the final four points behind the strong serves of Terry.

Illinois momentum continued to build in the third set, as it took a commanding lead off strong blocks from Terry. Three aces by sophomore Morgan Burke briefly tied the set for Michigan at 11 apiece . But from then on, the lead belonged to Illinois.

“(We need to) keep that urgency and grittiness that we pride ourselves on as a team” said Boney “(Some) of the keywords we use in our gym (are) urgency and grittiness and that kind of got away from us” 

The heart and fight of the Wolverines had vanished from the court by the end of the third set. Michigan was unable to truly disrupt Illinois, who forced its way towards victory. The score of the third set, 25-20, was decidedly closer than the game itself as many of Michigans own points came from errors from the Illini.

The Wolverines were swept in quick fashion for the first time this year. This game against Illinois exposed clear holes within Michigan’s system that they must work on to continue with a successful season.

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