<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=24gSI3_0wE57DhQ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=24gSI3_0wE57DhQ00" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>Washington outside hitter Kierstyn Barton prepares to spike the ball during the match against UC Davis on Sept. 15, 2024 at the Hec Edmundson Pavilion in Seattle, Wash. Barton filled in nicely for freshman middle blocker Julia Hunt, combining with junior outside hitter Emoni Bush and senior outside hitter Madi Endsley for 30 of UW's 41 kills in its loss to Michigan Friday night. Farrel Sudrajat</figcaption></figure>Holding a commanding 23-19 lead in the second set, the Washington volleyball team was just two points away from a victory to tie the match at one set apiece. But on the next point, a kill from Michigan sophomore outside hitter Valentina Vaulet sent her to the baseline to serve.Vaulet walked up to the service line, tossed the ball sky-high, and rocketed in a perfectly placed ace to cut the Washington lead to two. With her powerful serves continuing to cause problems for the Huskies’ (13-4, 3-4 Big Ten) defenders, Vaulet drove the Wolverines (15-3, 5-2 Big Ten) to a 6-0 run to steal the second set, 25-23.Vaulet’s 15 kills, 14 digs, and whopping six aces propelled Michigan to a three-set drubbing of Washington, handing the Huskies their fourth straight loss. Despite out-hitting Michigan 0.333 to 0.307, out-blocking the home side 5-1, and committing eight fewer errors, Washington was unable to eke out a set in Ann Arbor.The problems for the Huskies began before the first serve was even hit, as star freshman middle blocker Julia Hunt was ruled out with an injury. Hunt entered Friday’s match with an impressive 0.409 hitting percentage on the season, which ranks No. 22 in the nation.With Hunt out, sophomore outside hitter Kierstyn Barton took over early in the first set, earning her fourth kill with the match deadlocked at 14. Despite 15 ties in the opening frame, Michigan did just enough to escape with a 27-25 victory. The Huskies outhit the Wolverines 0.429 to 0.317 in the first set, but three aces pushed Michigan over the finish line, delivering an early 1-0 lead. Washington responded in the second set, firing off an early 6-0 run to take a 8-5 lead, before eventually ballooning the gap to 12-6. Slowly but surely, the Huskies’ lead began to slip away, with head coach Leslie Gabriel using a timeout once the lead was cut to 15-13. Although Washington was able to grow its lead back to 23-19, Vaulet’s serves were too much, and the second set slipped through the Huskies’ fingers — giving the Wolverines a 2-0 lead. Washington once again out-hit Michigan 0.250 to 0.146 in the second frame, but despite its 10 errors, the Wolverines’ six aces sparked their comeback, putting it in a prime position for the home victory.The Huskies got out to a hot start in the final set, but another 6-0 run from the Wolverines gave them a 15-13 lead. Michigan would never relinquish the lead, staving off any chance of a Washington comeback with a dominant offensive set, recording 19 kills and zero errors en route to a 0.500 hitting percentage and a third-set victory.Unlike its previous three losses, Washington was able to dominate at the net, out-blocking Michigan 5-1, but the home side’s nine aces proved to be the difference in a match that was won by nine combined points.The Huskies’ outside hitters were also fantastic, with Barton, junior outside hitter Emoni Bush, and senior outside hitter Madi Endsley combining for 30 of Washington’s 41 kills — good for an average 0.342 hitting percentage.Still, their effort ended up in vain, as Washington had no answer for Vaulet and the rest of the Michigan offense, who combined for 53 kills in the match.Washington will look to recover from its fourth straight loss when it visits Michigan State on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 10 a.m in East Lansing. The match will be televised 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>

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Michigan trounces Washington volleyball in road sweep

Holding a commanding 23-19 lead in the second set, the Washington volleyball team was just two points away from a victory to tie the match at one set apiece. But on the next point, a kill from Michigan sophomore outside hitter Valentina Vaulet sent her to the baseline to serve.