Michigan State University
Indiana
Spartans Sweep Hoosiers In Big Ten Play
11/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 10, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Michigan State volleyball team snapped a two-match losing streak on Friday, defeating conference rival Indiana, 3-0, in Bloomington. MSU won by scores of 30-20, 30-27, and 30-22. With the win, State improves to 16-9, 7-8 in Big Ten play, while the Hoosiers fall to 10-17, 1-14 against conference opponents.
The Spartans tallied 64 kills on 62 assists, including a floor-best 54 assists from setter Allison Ianni. Outside hitters Katie Johnson and Ashley Schatzle contributed 23 and 16 kills, respectively, marking the 23rd time this season that the duo has posted double-digit kill totals in the same match. Junior middle blocker Jessica Hohl added 13 kills and four blocks, while Heather McDaniel and Vanessa King each contributed six kills for the Green and White.
Both teams managed 7.0 total blocks in the match, while MSU tallied 46 digs against just 23 by the Hoosier defenders. Libero Nicole Colaluca and defensive specialist Miken Trogdon anchored the Spartan backcourt with 13 and 10 digs, respectively, while Ianni added five digs and three blocks at the net.
Erica Short led the Hoosier offense with 12 kills in the match, while setters Allison Regas and Caitlin Watts added 17 and 10 assists, respectively.
Michigan State took a 17-9 lead midway through the opening set before Indiana put together a 4-0 run to pull within four of the Spartan lead at 17-13. State answered with a 7-2 run before Johnson connected on her eighth swing of the set for a 30-20 MSU win. Johnson's total was a game-high, while Hohl and Schatzle each contributed four kills for the Green and White.
After matching points early, Michigan State used three straight to push its lead to 18-14 in game two. Indiana rallied, scoring seven of the next 11 points to pull within one of the Spartan lead at 22-21, forcing the first MSU timeout of the match. State scored three consecutive points out of the break and held its lead the duration of the set for a 30-27 game-two victory. Ianni spread out 17 assists, directing Hohl to a floor-best six kills on nine attempts (.667), while Schatzle and Johnson each added five kills in the set.
With game three tied at 5-5, MSU put together an 11-1 run for a 16-6 lead at the halfway point of the set. Johnson connected on consecutive swings to push the Spartan lead to 19-10, and King scored the final point of the match for a 30-22 Spartan victory. Johnson dominated the set, posting 10 kills on 15 swings for a .600 attack percentage. Ianni matched her game-two total with 17 assists, while Colaluca tallied six digs in the Spartan backcourt. The sweep marked MSU's 14th of the season.
Michigan State concludes weekend play at No. 16 Purdue on Saturday at 7 p.m.
