Crocker rifled a spike down the right line and it careened out of bounds following a last-ditch effort by the Fighting Illini to set up a scoring chance. The kill, one of Crocker’s 12 on the night, proved to be the deciding blow in securing Michigan (17-10 overall, 10-4 Big Ten) a massive victory over Illinois (12-11, 7-7).
The Michigan volleyball team (17-7 overall, 10-4 Big Ten) took on Illinois (12-11, 7-7) for the second time in eight days on Saturday in Cliff Keene Arena and emerged with a similar outcome to last Friday’s bout in Champaign — a victory in four sets.
On Wednesday the Michigan women’s volleyball team (16-7 overall, 9-4 Big Ten) closed out this season’s Crisler series against Michigan State (13-10, 4-9), winning in four sets.
On Wednesday, the Michigan volleyball team (16-7 overall, 9-4 Big Ten) had its annual Maize Out at Crisler Center, where more than 3,100 fans gathered to see the Wolverines defeat Michigan State, 3-1 (25-19, 25-22, 22-25, 25-16).
From small town champion to U-M asset, sophomore volleyball player Paige Jones has asserted herself as a driving force this season. Initially underestimated because of her size, Jones’ talent, hard work and leading team numbers prompt spectators to “just watch.”
In a match flooded with countless lead changes and tied scores, late-game heroics were just the tip of the iceberg as Michigan (13-7 overall, 8-4 Big Ten) earned its first win over a top-25 opponent this season, defeating Illinois (10-9, 5-5), 25-22, 25-23, 21-25, 25-18.
Michigan battled the Wildcats (10-14,1-11), losing the second set by only two points, but was ultimately undone by a series of errors early on. A setback such as this might halt the momentum of many teams, but the Wolverines came roaring back with a five set win, 25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 23-25, 15-8.
Suffocate the opposition with stout blocks at the net. Execute sharp, communicative passing plays. Extend digs into rallies, and rallies into kills. Keep errors to a minimum. Don’t beat yourself. And finally, possess the athletes capable of pulling it all off.
The Michigan volleyball team followed the example of its kills leader, sophomore outside hitter Paige Jones, on Sunday. Against No.
Freshman middle blocker Jess Robinson goes up for the attack mirrored by two Gopher blockers. Her hand comes forward, delivering the attack. The ball collides with the defenders’ arms and falls to the floor — point, Minnesota.