Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
4-0
Syracuse
4-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse | 20 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 12 | 2 |
| Michigan State | 25 | 25 | 22 | 20 | 15 | 3 |
No. 20 Volleyball Downs Syracuse in Five-Sets, 3-2
9/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 4, 2009
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The No. 20 Michigan State volleyball team (4-0) defeated Syracuse University (4-1) today, 3-2 (25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 20-25, 15-12), in the first game of the CSU Invitational presented by the Crowne Plaza City Center, held on the campus of Cleveland State University. Sophomore Natalie Emro (Wildwood, Mo.) led the Spartans to a win this afternoon by posting her fifth career double-double, tallying 62 assists with 10 digs.
In the first set, MSU began by trading points with Syracuse until the 12-12 mark, when MSU separated itself, going on a 5-1 rally, before the Orange called a timeout. After the timeout MSU never looked back, winning the set, 25-20.
Once again, in the second set, the Spartans and the Orange began by trading points, before MSU went off on a 9-2 run, until Syracuse was forced to call a timeout when the score was 17-6. Following the timeout Syracuse responded by going on a 16-5 rally, to square the set at 22 apiece. The Green and White responded by finishing off the set by winning the final three points, and posting a 25-22 second set win.
The Spartans began the third set finding themselves in a hole. However, Syracuse was able to hold off the Spartan rally to win the set, 25-22. The fourth set began much the same way for MSU, as the Orange got out to an early 6-1 lead over the Spartans. Michigan State was able to pull within two points to make it 21-19 in Syracuse's favor. But, SU held off the late surge from the Spartans to force a fifth-set.
In the fifth set, MSU came out to a quick 7-3 lead, before Syracuse was forced to call a timeout. Out of the timeout SU went on a 3-0 run, to bring the set to 7-6, in favor of the Spartans. After sophomore Jenilee Rathje (Mount Pleasant, Mich.) put MSU up 9-6, with a kill from Emro, the Orange then went on a 6-1 run, and take an 11-10 lead over the Green and White. MSU responded by finishing the set on a 3-1 run, defeating Syracuse in the fifth set, 15-12.
Tying her career-high kills mark, set last week against North Carolina, was junior Megan Schatzle (Monroe, Mich.), who recorded 19 kills. Rathje contributed to the Spartan attack with 22 kills on the day, while also recording five block assists on defense for MSU. Junior Allyson Karaba (Muskegon, Mich.) chipped in with 23 digs for the Spartan defense, while sophomore Becca Zlabis (Wheaton, Ill.) tallied 17 digs herself.
MSU will be back in action tonight at 7 p.m., against host Cleveland State for their second of three games at CSU Invitational. Live video streaming is available for the Spartans' final two matches free of charge at CSU Vikings.
