Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
14-6, 2-6
Penn State
20-0, 8-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn State | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Michigan State | 11 | 18 | 12 | 0 |
Volleyball Falls to No. 1 Penn State, 3-0
10/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 17, 2009
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State volleyball team (14-6, 2-6) fell to No. 1 Penn State, 3-0, on Saturday, Oct. 17, at home. With the loss, the Spartans are now 5-2 in home matches. The Nittany Lions have extended their NCAA record matches won to 84 consecutive. Leading MSU with her six digs and kills was sophomore Becca Zlabis (Wheaton, Ill.).
For the Spartans in the first set, MSU fell behind early to the Nittany Lions, trailing 13-6 before calling its first timeout of the set. Following the timeout, PSU won the next four consecutive points, forcing the second Michigan State timeout with the score 17-6. Penn State continued its early lead by finishing out the first set with a score of 25-11. Junior Megan Schatzle (Monroe, Mich.) anchored the Spartan attack with her .400 attack percentage on five kills.
The second set saw a much closer set, as Michigan State found itself in an early 6-3 lead. After trading service with PSU for the next eight points, the Spartans maintained a 10-7 over Penn State. However, the Nittany Lions rode the backs of their four All-Americans as they went on a 9-1 run, forcing a MSU timeout with the score 16-11 in favor of PSU. Penn State continued its pressure on the Spartans as it wound up taking the second set 25-18. Sophomore Natalie Emro (Wildwood, Mo.) led MSU with her three kills, while hitting .400.
The two teams returned from the break with Penn State once again gaining the upper edge over the Spartans. PSU ran out to an early 11-5 lead over Michigan State to begin the third set. Following a 5-1 run, the Nittany Lions extended their lead by 10, making it a 16-6 set. Penn State closed out the match by earning a 25-12 third set score. Senior Vanessa King (Spring Lake, Mich.) led the tallied two kills for a .500 attack percentage.
Joining Zlabis with six kills each was Schatzle and King. Emro led all Spartans with her 26 assists on the night. Junior Allyson Karaba (Muskegon, Mich.) anchored the back row with her seven digs.
The Spartans will remain at home as they entertain No. 11 Michigan on Wednesday, Oct, 21, at 7 p.m. The match will be held at the Breslin Center for the second-consecutive year. This will also mark the first of three MSU matches which will air on the Big Ten Network.
