<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1ZP5aA_0wBTun3000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1ZP5aA_0wBTun3000" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>Washington celebrates after scoring a point against Illinois on Sept. 28, 2024 at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, Wash. After dropping its last three matches, UW looks to rebound on its road trip to Michigan. Mario Trujillo</figcaption></figure>After two consecutive losses, the Washington volleyball team traveled to Eugene to take on No. 11 Oregon in a rivalry bout. Despite the tough road environment, the upset victory was there for the taking, as the Huskies (13-3, 3-3 Big Ten) were just five points away from victory.However, in the waning minutes, the Ducks (13-2, 5-1 Big Ten) rattled off a 10-2 run, stealing the match and sending the Huskies back to Seattle with their third straight loss. It stung.“It was a hard loss,” head coach Leslie Gabriel said. “It hurts when you lose and you don’t get what you want.”But despite the final result, Gabriel’s squad showed improvements over their previous two matches, taking two sets off the Ducks and earning 67 kills. It was a promising, albeit, disappointing result.“I was proud of how [our team] played and how they competed,” Gabriel said. “Regardless of if we won or lost we wanted to know we gave it everything we had. I thought the girls did.”After returning from the Beaver State, Washington heads back on the road to play new conference rivals Michigan and Michigan State. The Huskies last played the Wolverines (14-3, 4-2 Big Ten) in 2010, earning a sweep in the first round of the NCAA Championships.Michigan has been cruising through its schedule this season, most recently earning a four-set victory over rival Ohio State. While the Wolverines may not possess the conference's most dangerous offense, their defense is stellar.“[Michigan] is giving a lot of people problems,” Gabriel said. “They’re a good team.” Michigan garnered 81 digs in its victory over Ohio State, and recorded another 70 in its five-set triumph over UCLA. For a Washington team that struggled to get the ball down in its losses, patience, power, and poise at the net will be crucial.After its Friday afternoon clash with Michigan, Washington will make the trek to East Lansing to take on Michigan State on Sunday morning. The Spartans (7-10, 0-6 Big Ten) have gotten off to a disastrous start in conference play, but in a conference as deep as the Big Ten, records can be deceiving.“One thing I’ve told our players is ‘Don’t pay attention to records,’” Gabriel said. “We are in a tough conference. We can’t take anyone lightly.”Michigan State has been competitive in its Big Ten losses this season, taking Illinois to five sets and stealing a set from No. 3 Penn State. Despite dropping their match to the Illini, the Spartans out-hit and out-blocked them, but couldn’t bring it home.With a difficult road trip looming, Washington should get some help. This weekend will be one of the few times this season that the Huskies will trot out with a full lineup. Senior outside hitter Kiune Fletcher and sophomore outside hitter Kierstyn Barton both recently returned from injury, while sophomore middle blocker Elise Hani worked her way back into the lineup.Barton led Washington with 20 kills against Oregon, while Hani impressed with a 0.750 hitting percentage. With depth restored to their bench, the Huskies will head to Ann Arbor fully healthy.“I’m glad to be at full force,” Gabriel said. Despite its three straight losses, this weekend provides Washington with a massive opportunity to right the ship with a fully healthy lineup. First serve is scheduled for 4 p.m. for Friday’s meeting between UW and Michigan on B1G+.Reach reporter Jared Tucker at sports@dailyuw.com. X: @jaredetuckerLike what you’re reading? Support high-quality student journalism by donating here.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Washington volleyball looks to reset against Michigan and Michigan State

After two consecutive losses, the Washington volleyball team traveled to Eugene to take on No. 11 Oregon in a rivalry bout. Despite the tough road environment, the upset victory was there for the taking, as the Huskies (13-3, 3-3 Big Ten) were just five points away from victory. However, in...