Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
7-0
Duquesne
7-2
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duquesne | 12 | 25 | 12 | 0 |
| Michigan State | 25 | 27 | 25 | 3 |
No. 18 Volleyball Sweeps Duquesne, 3-0
9/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 11, 2009
CHICAGO, Ill. - The No. 18 Michigan State volleyball team (7-0) opened play at the UIC Invite as it defeated Duquesne on Friday, 3-0. With the loss, the Dukes fall to 7-2 on the season, while MSU is now 3-0 all-time against Duquesne. Sophomore Becca Zlabis (Wheaton, Ill.) paced the Spartan attack, totaling 14 kills, while also posting a .400 hitting percentage.
"We really came out and played solid today in the first set," said head coach Cathy George. "However, the girls were unable to continue the steady flow of the match as they began to lose focus, and cause several unforced errors. In the final set we were able to regain our composure and discipline and close out the match against Duquesne focused."
MSU began the match unable to establish the early lead. The first set began tied at 4. However, the Spartans followed with 9-1 run, which forced the Dukes to call their first timeout of the set with the score 12-5. Following the timeout, MSU responded by allowing one more point, as it went on another rally, 7-1, in establishing an 19-6 lead, before Duquesne called their second timeout. The Spartans would go on to win the first set, 25-12. The Green and White out hit Duquesne by an whopping .353 to -.097 in the first set, which is lowest hitting percentage the Spartans have held an opponent to in the opening set this season.
The second set began quite differently than the first for MSU as the two teams began by trading service for the first few points, until they were both tied at seven. At that point, Duquesne began a 6-1 run, following three straight Spartan attack errors, forcing MSU to call its first timeout of the match with the score 13-8 in favor of the Dukes. Following the timeout the Spartans responded in a positive fashion as they began to slowly find themselves in the set, going on a 9-4 run, and pulling within one (18-17), before Duquesne called a time out. Neither team was able to establish momentum following the timeout, as each team once again traded points with one another. Finally, with the score tied at 25, MSU was able to close out the set, winning the final two points and earn the 27-25 set win.
The final set began with MSU trailing early to the Dukes, 3-1. However, the Spartans battled back to square the match at eight apiece. The Green and White gained momentum as they began on a 5-1 rally to get the set at a score of 13-9 before Duquesne called its first timeout of the set. Following the timeout, MSU continued its momentum gained as it went on its second 5-1 of the set, getting out to a 20-10 lead, forcing the Dukes into their second time out. Michigan State never let off as it finished with the match on a 6-2 run, bringing the score to 25-12 to end the set. MSU finished the final set, outhitting Duquesne by .360 to .000. Over the course of the match, the Spartans out hit the Dukes by .304 to .034, the lowest percentage the Spartans have held an opponent this season.
Besides her team high in kills, Zlabis also contributed four blocks, two solos and two assisted, to the Spartan defense. Contributing to the defensive effort was junior Allyson Karaba (Muskegon, Mich.) who tallied 19 digs on the match. Junior Megan Schatzle (Monroe, Mich.) contributed her early non-conference success as she contributed 10 kills to the Spartan attack, which is her fifth double-digit kill total of the season. Sophomore Natalie Emro (Wildwood, Mo.) contributed 32 assists, while also recording thre block assists and two service aces. Redshirt sophomore Jenilee Rathje (Mount Pleasant, Mich.) added seven kills and five assists in the Spartan win.
Establishing the early lead allowed several Spartans to see their first road action this season, as freshmen Elizabeth Egerer (Sheboygan Falls, Wis.) and Amy Dentlinger (Arcadia, Iowa) both contributed two kills in today's match.
The Green and White will return to action tomorrow, Sept. 12, at 1 p.m. ET as it battles Georgia State, followed by an 8 p.m. ET match against host Illinois-Chicago, to conclude the invitational.
