Huskies Can’t Hold Lead, Fall To Michigan In Five

Thursday, November 20

Seattle, Wash.

7:00 PM

University of Washington

11-16,6-11Big Ten

Michigan

20-8,10-7Big Ten

Michigan

Washington

November 20, 2025 | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score PDF

By: UW Athletic Communications

SEATTLE – Washington's trouble maintaining and building on leads cost it again tonight at Alaska Airlines Arena, as the Huskies let a 2-0 lead slip and fell in five sets to Michigan. The Wolverines (20-8, 10-7 Big Ten) rallied for a 19-25, 27-29, 25-18, 25-23, 15-13 victory over the Huskies (11-16, 6-11 Big Ten) in front of 2,692 fans.

It was a wild late season match of some massive runs but the Huskies couldn't find enough offense in sets three through five to close the door. The Huskies made just six attacking errors through two sets, hitting .382 in the first set win, and .316 in set two. But UW made 23 errors over the final three sets.

Set two saw UW survive a huge rally from the Wolverines, as the Dawgs were up 20-10 before Michigan came all the way back to tie it at 24-24, saving four set points in a row. The Huskies then had to save two Michigan set points before they climbed back in front, and won it, 29-27, on a block by Alexa Markley and Elise Hani, and an ace from Kierstyn Barton.

The fourth set was a near repeat of set two, but this time the Dawgs were unable to find an answer for a big Michigan comeback. Washington led 17-9, seemingly on the way to the 3-1 win, but Michigan came out of a timeout and scored eight points in a row to suddenly tie it at 17-all. The Huskies got a kill from Simona Mateska to end a huge rally for a 23-22 lead, but Michigan came right back with a 3-0 run to take the set and force a fifth.

In set five, the Huskies trailed 9-13 but made a last ditch run with three straight points for 12-13 before Michigan blocked a Barton tip attempt for match point at 12-14. Freshman Maija Howse saved it with a big swing, but Michigan won it on its second chance with another block.

In the final numbers, Michigan outhit the Huskies .209 to .165. Michigan had 11 blocks to 9 for UW, and had 66 digs compared to 63 for the Dawgs. UW had a 6-4 edge in aces.

Barton led UW with 17 kills and had two aces. Mateska had 15 kills and 13 digs for a double-double and hit .263. Alexis Haury had 29 assists and Taylor Simpson accounted for 17 and she had a season-high 10 digs. Elise Hani had a season-high eight kills and five blocks, and Zoria Heard had a team-high 17 digs. Maija Howse had a new season-high six kills on 23 swings.

Up Next: The final home match for the Dawgs comes this Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7 p.m. against UCLA. Washington will honor seniors Zoria Heard, Alexa Markley, Taylor Simpson, and Elise Hani in a pre-match ceremony.