The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/178977
this season and are poised to compete for Big Ten titles. The Michigan athletic department is used to a certain level of excellence — but this run, for these four coaches, is something special. "You're talking about working with some great human beings," Ryan said. "Mark and [volleyball assistant coach] Lisa [Rosen] are great people. Marcia is hilarious, and so much fun to be around. Chaka and I have established such a great relationship. We go to most of each other's home games, and we talk about what we see on the field. "It's a load of fun. It's great to win and represent Michigan so well. But it's also nice to really like the people you work with and be happy for them. It's like a big family." Volleyball Hungry For More At every school in the country, every team begins the season with dreams of a championship. "We have talked a lot over the years about getting to a Final Four and competing for a national championship," Rosen said. "It's a little bit theoretical, and it's hard to envision what that really means. Now they know. They know exactly what it's like to play in a Final Four and to be right there with a great team like Texas and be right on the doorstep. It's no longer theoretical — it's real. "That has changed our confidence and expectations. When they sit down as a team and say, 'What do we want to accomplish?' it means a little more now. It's not just words on paper. We have been there." Rosen admitted that he was curious to see how the team would respond last spring, when Michigan reported for the first practices following the run to the Final Four. He was pleased to see the squad become even more focused — not only determined to make it back, but to push forward to a national title. Led by a corps of veterans that was instrumental last season, the Wolverines are looking to win their first Big Ten title since 1981. And they're off to a good start. As of Sept. 23, Michigan was 101, with the lone loss coming to No. 16 Florida in a 3-2 decision. U-M was ranked No. 10 nationally and had dropped just five total sets and recorded five straight-set victories. Senior outside hitters Lexi Erwin and Molly Toon were dominant in the early going, tallying 121 and 103 kills, respectively, to lead the team. Senior middle blocker Jennifer Cross had chipped in 113 kills and 37 total blocks. Through 11 games, junior setter Lexi Dannemiller was fourth in the Big Ten with 10.5 assists per set, and sophomore libero Tiffany Morales had been outstanding, posting 4.2 digs per game (sixth in the Big Ten). "From a motivational standpoint, it has been very easy, because of the competitive nature of our players and the opportunity they were given last year," Rosen said. "It has been great." Through it all, the Wolverines have been vaulted into the discussion of elite national programs. "There's no question that more people recognize our program as one