Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
17-11, 5-11Big Ten
Purdue
12-15, 4-12Big Ten
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue | 23 | 21 | 18 | 0 |
| Michigan State | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Volleyball Snaps Three-Match Skid, Sweeps Purdue 3-0.
11/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 14, 2009
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Looking to end its three-match losing skid, the Michigan State volleyball team (17-11, 5-11 Big Ten) downed the Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Jenison Field House. The win mark the Spartans' first against the Boilermakers since a win at home in 2007. Senior Vanessa King (Spring Lake, Mich.) led all Spartans with her .571 attack percentage while tallying 10 kills.
"We are at a point in the season where every win matters," said head coach Cathy George. "The team just needs to keep its focus as the season begins to wind down, and take it one match at a time."
MSU struck early in the first set, leading 5-3. The Spartans extended their lead to three, bringing the score to 12-9. However, the Boilermakers scored three straight points, tying the set at 12. After three straight Michigan State points, Purdue called its first timeout. MSU grew its lead to five with the score 20-15. The Boilermakers stormed back, taking seven of 10 points to make it a 23-22 set, in favor of MSU. After a Spartan timeout, Michigan State took the final two points, clinching the set 25-23. Senior Vanessa King (Spring Lake, Mich.) and sophomore Becca Zlabis (Wheaton, Ill.) each tallied four kills in the set.
The Spartans once again pounced early leading 4-2. After the Boilermakers tied the match at four, each team traded service until MSU broke free, making it 8-7. Michigan State extended its lead to three, 12-9. Purdue called timeout when MSU was leading 14-10. After scoring four of five points, Michigan State forced the Boilermakers into its second timeout. The Spartans closed out the second set 25-21. King and sophomore Kyndra Abron (Livonia, Mich.) posted a team-high four kills.
Michigan State continued its success, taking an early 4-1 lead. MSU pushed its lead to four with the score 9-5. The Spartan lead grew to six when Purdue called its first timeout with the score 16-10. Michigan State dug deep to close out the match, winning the third set 25-18. Abron led the Spartan attack with a 1.000 attack percentage on four kills.
Zlabis ended the night with nine kills while hitting .450. Sophomore Natalie Emro (Wildwood, Mo.) led the team with 36 assists. Junior Allyson Karaba (Muskegon, Mich.) tallied 13 digs while King solidified the defense with three blocks.
MSU will be back in action on Wednesday, Nov. 15, when it travels to Ann Arbor for a showdown against Michigan. The match will be aired live on the Big Ten Network beginning at 6 p.m.
