Gophers Survive Michigan State

#2 posting 10.1.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

Gophers 3, Michigan State 2
28-30, 30-25, 30-25, 26-30, 15-12

I am not going to rehash the game. You can read the accounts from the press releases from Minnesota and Michigan State. If you like boxes open this one.

Let us look at the end of game situations. At the end of game one at 28 all, Michigan State got the side out on Bowman serve, but they did not get the return side out hence the loss. In both game two and three the Gophers had 29-24 and the ball, but couldn't finish. They did get the side out on the State serve, but the fans had to remain standing.

Game four's finish was disappointing. The Gophers led 23-21 as they took advantage of a State hitting error. But once the spartans got the ball the Gophers didn't side out until State gathered three more points and led 25-23. MN did tie it at 25, and narrowed the gap at 27-26, but a net violation stopped Hartmann's serve and the Gophers failed again to get the side out.

MN did pull off the win in five. It was 12-8 on Crumpston serve, but she cut her own throat with a missed serve. Again a failure to sideout on the first ball opened the door to two State points and the 4 point lead was now down to 12-11. Hebert got a time out, Hartmann sat down due to a finger injury, and Bowman moved to setter. The Gophers got the important kill from Roehrig, but the Gophs missed the next serve. MN sided out and this time finished the game with State caught in the net.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
team, 1stso/serves--1stso%; pts scored, % earned, % allowed
Minnesota 49/76---.645; 102, .791; .262
Michigan State 38/76---.500; 90, .738; .209
MN sides out better, but you see gives away almost a quarter of the opponents points. It was down from .341 on Friday, and the sideout % was better also, but still there seems to be something that is not there. Teams are left hanging around that used to be put away. Teams think they can play with MN. The Gophers will need every ounce of clean play next week at Penn State and Ohio State.

1. Tan 24-20 +4
2. Peniata 23-22 +1
3. Bowman 20-18 +2
4. Crumpston 21-20 +1
5. Nelson 25-20 +5
6. Hartmann 19-21 -2
Nelson's rotation for the second game in a row was +5. Hartmann's rotation was in the negative category for the second game in a row.

Next up: tomorrow morning