Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
16-9, 4-9Big Ten
Northwestern
14-11, 5-8Big Ten
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | 25 | 23 | 18 | 22 | 1 |
| Northwestern | 20 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Volleyball Drops 3-1 Match to Northwestern
11/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 6, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. - Looking to remain on track in the second half of the Big Ten season, the Michigan State volleyball team traveled to Northwestern on Friday night. After coming out early on the Wildcats, MSU was unable to hold on against NU, falling 3-1. The Spartan attack was led by junior Megan Schatzle (Monroe, Mich.) with 15 kills.
After seeing the Wildcats out early, 3-0, the Spartans rallied back to tie the first set at eight. MSU then took the next four points, forcing NU to call a timeout. Northwestern pulled within one at 18-17, but MSU closed out the set, winning the last four of five points, 25-20. Senior Vanessa King (Spring Lake, Mich.) led the team with a .600 hitting mark on four kills in the set.
The second set saw the Spartans continue its first set success, leading 5-3. However, the Wildcats came back to tie the match at six. MSU pulled ahead by four, bringing it to 12-8. Michigan State forced NU to call its first timeout of the set with the score 15-10. Northwestern pulled within two, making it a 22-20 set. The Wildcats pulled ahead by one, 23-22, forcing the Spartans to call its first timeout of the set. NU took the final two of three points, winning the second set 25-23. Schatzle's four kills lead all Spartans in the set.
MSU came out sluggish to begin the third set, trailing 6-3. The Spartans did rally within two, making it a 8-6, but NU took four of the next five points, forcing MSU to call a timeout with the score 12-7. Michigan State took six of seven, trailing 16-13, causing the Wildcats to call a timeout. Northwestern closed out the third set by a score of 25-18. Senior Mischelle Nelson (Naperville, Ill.), on her 22nd birthday, led MSU with four kills in the third set.
Michigan State fell behind early in the fourth set, 4-0. MSU however pulled within one, making it 7-6. The Spartans continued its momentum, tying the match at nine. NU regained its composure, once again pulling ahead by three, 13-10. The Wildcats closed out the match, taking the fourth set 25-22. Schatzle once again led the team with four kills in the set.
The Spartans were led by junior Allyson Karaba (Muskegon, Mich.) with 20 digs. Tallying 47 assists was sophomore Natalie Emro (Wildwood, Mo.). King, Nelson and sophomore Kyndra Abron (Livonia, Mich.) each tallied two blocks against the Wildcats. Abron and Nelson each contributed 11 kills in the Spartan effort.
MSU is back in action tomorrow, Nov. 7, when it takes on No. 5 Illinois at 8 p.m. ET in Huff Hall.
