The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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52 THE WOLVERINE OCTOBER 2019 OLYMPIC SPORTS UPDATE Player To Watch: Senior forward Jack Hallahan Even though he had yet to find the back of the net through five games in 2019, Hallahan has been an offensive force firing a team-high 20 shots at op- posing goalkeepers, while adding three assists. Must-See Match: Oct. 13 at Indiana Michigan travels to Bloomington to take on the perennial Big Ten power and No. 4-ranked Hoosiers on ESPNU. Women's Soccer Overall Record: 5-2, 0-0 Big Ten National Ranking: Unranked Best win: 2-1 over No. 13 Washing- ton State Sept. 13 The Wolverines went on the road to Pullman, Wash., and posted their first win away from Ann Arbor to hand the Cougars their first loss and end the nation's longest non-conference un- beaten streak (11 games). U-M struck with two goals in the first four minutes and held on for the victory thanks to two huge saves in the game's final 10 minutes by junior Hillary Beall, who set a career high with 12 saves. MVP: Sophomore midfielder Mer- edith Haakenson After not finding the back of the net in her debut campaign, the native of Maple Grove, Minn., scored a pair of goals in the season-opening win over Marshall and added markers against Florida Golf Coast and the game-winner in the upset at No. 13 Washington State. Her four goals lead the game through seven games. Player To Watch: Sophomore mid- fielder Raleigh Loughman Loughman is tied with classmate Haakenson for the team lead with nine points and has been incredibly efficient, netting her three goals on just eight shots. Must-See Match: Sept. 19 at Penn State The No. 8 Nittany Lions are the top- ranked team in the Big Ten, and Mich- igan travels to Happy Valley seeking another upset. Volleyball Overall Record: 6-2, 0-0 Big Ten National Ranking: Unranked, but was just outside the top 25 of the American Volleyball Coaches Association Poll with 123 votes received From the time MacKenzi Welsh stepped on cam- pus in the fall of 2016, she's filled the role of floor general as setter for head coach Mark Rosen's vol- leyball program. Steady and reliable, she has excelled on the court athletically and off the court academically, and has been counted on by Rosen as an extra coach on the court. ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten (2017-18) • Three-time Big Ten Conference Setter of the Week last season • American Volleyball Coaches Association All- America Honorable Mention (2016) • All-Big Ten Freshman Team (2016) • All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (2016) • Four-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week (2016) COACH'S VIEW: MICHIGAN VOLLEYBALL HEAD COACH MARK ROSEN On her leadership: "Her leadership has really started show- ing itself, and she understands the game at a really high level. We use the term Volleyball IQ, and hers is very, very high. "In Dayton [earlier this year for a tournament Sept. 6-7], I no- ticed her being much more of a teacher to the younger play- ers. Dayton plays a really complicated style of game. There are a lot of things going on and a lot of adjustments being made. "I constantly saw Mac talking to the younger players and helping them understand what's going to happen, what's going on and what just happened. She is just being more of a teacher on the court and embracing that role." On her role: "She's, by nature, someone who likes to help other people. That makes sense for a setter because that's their job. I think this a perfect role for her. One of the reasons we selected her as a court captain was we knew she would be very valuable that way." On her effectiveness: "She was honorable mention All- America as a freshman. She hasn't gotten some of the awards that she's probably de- served since then. "She's been this steady, consistent per- former for us. As a setter, you want just that. You don't need flashy. You don't need some- one who's going to be great one day and not the next day. You need someone steady, and I think she's done that." On her legacy: "Making the NCAA Tourna- ment each year. Making good runs in the tournament, Sweet Sixteen two of those years. That speaks volume to the success of our team, and so much of that success de- pends on the setter. "Our performance over the last three years, and hopefully continuing this year, is a great example of the type of setter she is — a steady, consistent, highly skilled setter who runs a great offense and a great team." WELSH IN HER OWN WORDS On assuming more responsibility as a captain: "As a se- nior, I have a lot more responsibilities in a leadership role than I've had in the past. Being a captain this year does change my role, taking more of that responsibility on the court. "It's been a little bit scary, but the past three years have given me so much confidence and so much knowledge. I've learned from the captains in previous years." On her four years at Michigan: "My four years in the Michigan volleyball program have completely altered the structure of my life. "I came in as a freshman as someone who was not really confident. Being at Michigan and especially with Michigan volleyball, I have found so many different communities and so many people, so much love for me from everyone and everything around me. It has completely shaped me into the person that I am today." — Bob Miller Welsh leads the Wolverines with 296 assists through the first eight outings this year. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Olympic Athlete Of The Month: Volleyball's MacKenzi Welsh Class: Senior • Position: Setter Hometown: Bolingbrook, Ill.