ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies volleyball team fell against the University of Michigan Wolverines, 3-1, this afternoon inside Cliff Keen Arena in the final match of the Michigan/Oakland Invitational.
 
SET ONE: OAKLAND 12, MICHIGAN 25
Michigan came out strong in the first set and secured an early 3-0 lead. Oakland quickly responded though with Gentry Brown tallying a kill, bringing the score to 3-1, and after an attack error by Michigan, Tyler Linkhart tied the score at 3-3 with a kill.

However, Michigan pulled ahead again after Oakland struggled with attack errors and blocks by the Wolverines. Michigan stretched the lead to 10-6 and brought more pressure from its front line. Despite Oakland's efforts, including a kill from Sydney Green, Michigan's consistent attacking gave it an advantage, pushing the score to 13-8.

Michigan, however, continued ahead and extended its lead to 24-12, as the Wolverines closed out set one with a kill to go up a set.
 
SET TWO: OAKLAND 25, MICHIGAN 22
Oakland opened the second set with a kill from Brown to take an early 1-0 lead. However, a service error allowed Michigan to even the score at 1-1 and eventually put itself ahead, 7-2. Oakland attempted to respond as Christina Bohm tallied a kill, but the Wolverines continued to make it 10-3. The Golden Grizzlies started to rally though as the Wolverines lead began to shrink midway through the set.

A kill by Brown sparked a 6-0 run by the Golden Grizzlies, highlighted by an ace from Bella Kessler and a kill from Linkhart and Rust to bring Oakland within one point at 15-14. Momentum began to swing, with Oakland capitalizing from a key kill by Rust to things up and 16, followed by a Bohm kill to jump ahead.

The teams traded points in a tight battle. Michigan managed to edge ahead, 18-17, with a kill, but Oakland responded with a kill to tie the set. The back-and-forth continued, with Oakland taking a 22-21 lead after an attack error as Brown piled it on with a kill. Michigan tacked on a kill to make it a one-point set, 23-22, but despite Michigan's efforts to close the gap, Oakland sealed it, 25-22 with a service ace, tying the match 1-1.
 
SET THREE: OAKLAND 18, MICHIGAN 25
 Oakland started the third set strong, taking the first two points with a kill from Rust and a service ace by Rachel Rossman, jumping ahead 2-0. Michigan answered back quickly and capitalized off an attack error for its first points. The two teams battled evenly, with both committing service errors to keep the score close. The beginning of the set saw multiple ties before Michigan went on a quick 3-0 run to jump ahead.

Michigan continued its run as it pushed its lead to 17-10 following an attack error. Oakland managed a small comeback, with kills from Linkhart and Smith, but Michigan kept the team at bay, responding with more kills to eventually put it ahead, 24-17. Brown tacked on one final kill for the Golden Grizzlies but Michigan responded to go ahead in the match, 2-1.
 
SET FOUR: OAKLAND 11, MICHIGAN 25
The set began with Michigan gaining an early two-point lead before a kill from Brown put it on the board. Michigan continued its push as it grabbed three quick points to go ahead four as Oakland struggled to keep up as Michigan continued to apply pressure. Errors from Oakland further widened Michigan's lead as the team couldn't overcome Michigan's momentum.

The set continued in Michigan's favor as the Wolverines continued to capitalize on Oakland's mistakes. The Wolverines continued on as the Power-Five school made it difficult for the Golden Grizzlies to come back, while it sealed the match with two final kills.

 
Brown led the Golden Grizzlies with 13 kills and a .310 hitting percentage, as Linkhart was right behind with 12 kills and a .257 hitting percentage. Four separate Oakland players tallied an ace as Rossman led the way with 12 digs.
 
UP NEXT
The Golden Grizzlies head to its final non-conference tournament of the season next weekend for the Ohio Invitational in Athens, Ohio. Oakland kicks off the invitational Friday (Sept. 20) against Liberty, with first serve set for 10:30 a.m. ET.