Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
14-5, 2-5
Ohio State
15-5, 3-4
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 25 | 27 | 16 | 25 | 3 |
| Michigan State | 21 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 1 |
Volleyball Stumbles Against Ohio State, Falls 3-1
10/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 16, 2009
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State volleyball team (14-5, 2-5) fell, 3-1, to Ohio State on Friday, Oct. 16, at Jenison Field House. Pacing the Michigan State with her fourth double-double of the year was sophomore Becca Zlabis (Wheaton, Ill.), tallying a 12 kills and 16 digs. Zlabis also added three blocks to the Spartan defense.
The Spartans fell behind early to begin the first set, trailing 7-4 to OSU. However, MSU rallied back, pulling within one, to make the score 8-7. The Buckeyes slowly began pulling away, taking a 12-8 lead, before MSU called a timeout. Following the break in action, Ohio State went on a 7-3 rally, gaining a 19-11 lead. OSU nipped the Spartans in the first set, 25-21. Sophomore Kyndra Abron (Livonia, Mich.) led all Spartans with six kills while hitting .714.
The Spartans began the second set with an early 12-7 lead, before OSU called its first timeout. The Buckeyes then took the next five points to take a 13-12 lead, and forcing MSU to take its first timeout. Neither team was able to gain full control of the set, as the set became tied at 18. Michigan State remained close with OSU, breaking two set points, and tying the Buckeyes again, this time at 25. However, Ohio State closed out the set by taking the final two points, winning 27-25. Zlabis led MSU in the set with three kills and four digs.
Following the intermission, MSU once again were able to get out early on the Buckeyes, gaining a 7-3 lead. Ohio State stormed back to tie the match at 12, which forced a Spartan timeout. Michigan State responded by taking the next four of five points, before OSU called a timeout of its own. MSU slowly began to see its lead grow as it wound up taking the third set, 25-16. Junior Megan Schatzle led the Spartans with four kills.
In the final set, Ohio State ran out to an early 9-6 lead over Michigan State, causing a Spartan timeout. MSU was unable to gather itself, falling behind 15-10 before the second Michigan State timeout was called. However, the Spartans responded with a 4-2 rally, causing Ohio State to call a timeout with the score 17-15 in favor of OSU. Neither team gained advantage over their opponent as both teams began trading service points. The Buckeyes were finally able to close out the match, winning three of the last four points for a 25-21 final. Schatzle once again led all Spartans with five kills in the final set.
Leading the team with a .353 attack percentage was Abron while also adding 10 kills. Sophomore Natalie Emro (Wildwood, Mo.) tallied 38 assists for MSU, while junior Allyson Karaba (Muskegon, Mich.) pitched in with nine digs. The Spartan defense was led by senior Vanessa King (Spring Lake, Mich.) who tallied six blocks. Leading the team with 13 kills was Schatzle.
Michigan State continues its homestand tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 17, as it hosts No. 1 Penn State at 6:30 p.m. in Jenison Field House.
