The Michigan volleyball team found out quickly that this year's Big Ten season may be an up - and - down ordeal. After easily defeating the Hawkeyes on Friday (3-1), the Wolverines got swept by the eighth-ranked Gophers on Saturday (30-26, 30-23, 31-29).

Any good feelings about the Iowa win quickly disappeared Saturday, as the balanced attack was not enough for Michigan to win in Minnesota.

Michigan kept it close in all three games and actually had game point in the third game. But the Gophers pulled out the big points when it mattered, and their clutch runs were the difference.

"We were right with them until late in the game," Rosen said. "They're big, very balanced and they were more consistent in the critical points of the match. We're not far off though."

Leading the Michigan charge on Friday were Jennifer Gandolph, Erin Moore and Nicole Poquette, who combined for 53 kills and 43 digs. Each registered a double-double, leading a balanced Michigan attack that also featured 14 kills and 9 digs from Chantel Reedus.

"The biggest thing our kids did was that they really started executing more consistently," Michigan coach Mark Rosen said. "They got more mentally strong as the game went on."

Winning on the road in the Big Ten is very difficult, and the Wolverines were not too disappointed with coming out of their first trip with a split. Michigan had struggled against Iowa in previous years, and the Minnesota team was the best Rosen had seen in years.

"I thought the kids handled it well," Rosen said. "Everyone's got to play on the road, and got to try to win on the road."

Michigan will be bolstered by the fact that the next three matches will be in the friendly confines of Cliff Keen Arena.

The Wolverines will continue to work on their defense and passing each game.

Michigan actually out-dug Minnesota, which very rarely happens in losses. Setter Lisa Gamalski continued to grow into her role as the setter, and Rosen couldn't be more pleased.

"Without a question, Minnesota is known for being an unbelievably tough serving team, and they pass really well," Rosen said.

"We knew going in we had to be able to pass really well, and I thought our kids really stepped up and did a great job."

With the strength of the Big Ten schedule, the Wolverines know that winning streaks may be hard to come by.

The key will be staying focused and competitive, win or lose.

"In the Big Ten, you have to be resilient," Rosen said. "You can't get too up and down, because you turn around the next night or next week and play a great team."