Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
17-12, 5-12Big Ten
Michigan
23-7, 11-6Big Ten
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | 20 | 25 | 21 | 25 | 8 | 2 |
| Michigan | 25 | 18 | 25 | 17 | 15 | 3 |
Volleyball Falls to Wolverines in Five, 3-2
11/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 18, 2009
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - In what turned out to be a thriller of a match, the Michigan State volleyball team (17-12, 5-12 Big Ten) fell in five sets, 3-2, to No. 14 Michigan on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Cliff Ryan Arena. The win moved the Wolverines to 23-7 overall and 11-6 in conference play this season. Leading the Spartans upfront was sophomore Becca Zlabis (Wheaton, Ill.), tallying a match-high 20 kills.
The first set began with the Spartans falling behind early 3-2. Michigan grew the lead to two, making the set 10-8. However, MSU pulled back within one to make it 18-17, but the Wolverines pulled away, winning the first set, 25-20. Zlabis tallied a team-high five kills.
After getting out early in the second set on the Wolverines, 3-2, Michigan State grew its lead to five, 9-4, to force a U-of-M timeout. The second Wolverine timeout was called when the score was 20-15 in favor of MSU. The Spartans wound up taking the second set, 25-18. Sophomore Kyndra Abron (Livonia, Mich.) posted five kills in the second set to lead the team.
MSU trailed early in the first set, 3-1, but scored the next four points to take over the lead, 5-3. The Wolverines regained the lead after scoring five of six points. Michigan State tied the set at 21, forcing a U-of-M timeout. The first Spartan timeout was called after the Wolverines scored two consecutive points, gaining the 23-21 lead. Michigan scored the last two points of the set to win the third set, 25-21. Zlabis recorded seven kills in the Spartan effort.
The Spartans pounced to an early 4-2 lead. The Wolverines managed to tie the match at 13. However, the Spartans regained control of the match to take four straight points, forcing a U-of-M timeout with the score 17-13. MSU scored three of four points to bring the score to 20-14and would go on to clinch the fourth set, 25-17. Junior Megan Schatzle (Monroe, Mich.) knotted six kills in a fourth set.
Michigan State fell behind early in the fifth set, 4-1, and never was able to get back into the set. The Wolverines grew the lead to four, bringing the score to 8-4. The Spartans were able to score only four more points in the set, before Michigan won the set and match 15-8.
Senior Mischelle Nelson (Naperville, Ill.) was a force up front, leading both teams with seven total blocks. Junior Allyson Karaba (Muskegon, Mich.) had a game-high 15 digs. Both Schatzle and Abron posted 12 kills in the effort. Sophomore Natalie Emro (Wildwood, Mo.) led the team with 49 assists.
The Spartans will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 21, when they battle No. 12 Minnesota at 8 p.m. Following the match, seniors Vanessa King and Mischelle Nelson will be honored. The match can be seen on the Big Ten Network the following day, Sunday, Nov. 22, at 6 p.m.
