The IU volleyball team endured its second straight five-set match Saturday, but this time it fell short of upsetting No. 14 Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Down two sets to none, the Hoosiers (15-15, 4-12) staged a furious rally to force a fifth set before the Wolverines (22-7, 10-6) gathered themselves and survived the scare by scores of 25-23, 25-14, 23-25, 16-25 and 15-11.
The first set went back-and-forth all the way to 23-23 before Michigan senior outside hitter Juliana Paz posted two consecutive kills to put the Wolverines ahead 1-0. Sophomore right-side hitter Alex Hunt added five kills for Michigan in the first frame.
The Wolverines carried momentum into the second set and displayed their dominance from the service line, recording four service aces to claim the contest 25-14. Michigan also earned 14 kills in the set.
Facing the prospect of being swept in both matches against Michigan, junior middle blocker Ashley Benson might have sparked her teammates with a few words before the third set.
"I told everyone...'I'm not leaving this place without going to a fifth game,'" Benson said.
Trailing the Wolverines 18-15 in the third, IU won six straight points, courtesy of three consecutive service aces by sophomore libero Caitlin Cox. The Hoosiers didn't trail in the set again and stayed alive with a 25-23 victory.
The fourth frame was close through a 10-10 knot, but IU pulled away afterward, opening a 23-15 advantage. A service error by freshman defensive specialist Laura Matula gave Michigan one more point, but a Benson kill and block sent the match to a decisive fifth contest.
After another 10-10 start, a team went on a surge -- this time Michigan went on the tear, winning four straight points and holding on to complete the season sweep of IU.
The Hoosiers return to University Gym this weekend with matches against No. 1 Penn State on Friday and Ohio State on Saturday. The Saturday match is Senior Night for IU, and senior hitters Kelsey Hall and Whitney Thomas will be honored.
