The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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OLYMPIC SPORTS is, arguably, the best team in the Big Ten. "We didn't have three key play- ers with us because of injuries so to come out of there with a tie, we're still in the thick of the Big Ten race, and getting a point against a very good team will help us with our bid for the NCAA Tournament." U-M's Best Players: Sophomore for- wards Taylor Timko and Ani Sarki- sian held the team lead in goals (seven apiece) and points (both had 17) in 17 games … Senior defender Christina Murillo has six assists and has been terrific directing Michi- gan's back end … Senior midfielder Corinne Harris is a glue player, and has contributed three goals and an assist. VOLLEYBALL Overall Record: 15-4 (through Oct. 20) Big Ten Record: 5-3 Projected Big Ten Finish: In what is considered to be the best conference in the country — eight teams are ranked in the top 25 — Michigan sat sixth in the Big Ten after eight con- ference matches with its 5-3 mark. The Wolverines have never finished higher than fourth in league play (2009 and 2010) during head coach Mark Rosen's 16 completed seasons and will be challenged to crack the top four this fall, but they're capable of doing so. NCAA Prospects: The Maize and Blue sat in a very comfortable 24th slot in the volleyball RPI Oct. 20, and with a .500 or better finish in the Big Ten, Michigan should qualify for its 14th NCAA appearance in Rosen's career. The bigger question is whether this team is capable of a postseason run, seeking to return to the Sweet 16 for the first time since making the Final Four in 2012. Coach Mark Rosen: "I think we're still a work in progress. I don't think we expected to be any differ- ent. We're a long way from where we want to be, but I like the devel- opment we're going through; we're moving in the right direction. "I don't know if we can look at the finish point. We're just trying to win every match and get better every day — the win-loss part will take care of itself. "We do have a strong expectations. We want to win the conference. [Pe- rennial power] Penn State has lost two this year. Nebraska is a good team, but there are five to six teams playing as well as Nebraska. It's a wide-open conference, but also a very deep conference. I don't think anyone will go through without three, four losses, so we have to get going here pretty quickly. "But I like the personality of this team, how hard they play and how energetic they play." U-M's Best Players: Junior Abby Cole was a preseason all-conference selection and has not disappointed, leading the Wolverines in kills (208) and blocks (73) through Oct. 20 … Splitting the setter role, senior Carly Warner (512 assists) and freshman Maddy Abbott (278) are improving