Michigan fought back against Texas but ultimately fell short in the Sweet Sixteen matchup
Daniel Dash
Daily Sports Writer
Volleyball
As the Michigan volleyball team’s bench rushed onto the court to join the dogpile, head coach Mark Rosen jolted out of his seat. His wife, associate head coach Leisa Rosen, threw her right fist into the air.
Carly Skjodt saw her storied career flash before her eyes on Saturday night.
With Thanksgiving now in the rearview mirror, the end of November means one thing for Division I women’s volleyball: the Big Dance is upon us.
As the regular season came to a close, Michigan women’s volleyball (22-9 overall, 11-9 Big Ten) managed to provide a bittersweet send-off for their senior players with a win over Michigan State (17-16, 5-15) at Crisler Center on Saturday night.
Just over a month after Michigan’s volleyball team (21-9 overall, 10-9 Big Ten) swept Northwestern (15-16, 5-14) in its last matchup on Oct. 20, the Wolverines repeated history with another 3-0 win that can best be summed up by senior outside hitter Carly Skjodt’s ace service to get Michigan to the game point of the first set.
The Wolverines need to beat Northwestern and Michigan State to earn home games in the NCAA Tournament.
The Wolverines' role players helped them overcome Michigan State on the road.
Out of the corner of her eye, junior setter MacKenzi Welsh saw Penn State’s middle blocker take a half-step towards senior outside hitter Carly Skjodt, Michigan’s most dangerous offensive weapon.
Now in his 20th season at the helm of the women’s volleyball program, the Michigan head coach sees things through a lens fundamentally different than many others. To Rosen, effort and growth are equally important to scores and his team’s record.