Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
11-9, 3-6Big Ten
Purdue
14-6, 5-4Big Ten
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | 23 | 17 | 19 | 0 |
| Purdue | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Spartans Fall to Purdue in Straight Sets, 3-0
10/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 22, 2010
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Michigan State volleyball team (11-9, 3-6) opened its four-match road trip on Friday, Oct. 22 with a 3-0 loss to Purdue (14-6, 5-4). Junior Becca Zlabis (Wheaton, Ill.) recorded her eighth double-digit kill night of the season with 12.
The Spartans opened the match trailing early on to Purdue, 3-0 in the first set. The Green and White got back within two at 8-6, and then one at 10-9 before finally tying the set at 12-12. Three straight Purdue points caused the Spartans into their first timeout of the set. The Spartans responded by getting back within one at 15-14. The two teams would trade service until MSU once again tied the set at 20, forcing Purdue into a timeout. Michigan State once again traded service with Purdue until they were tied at 23. The Boilermakers took the final two points to end the set at 25-23. Zlabis was the top offensive force with her four kills, leading all players in the set.
Set two opened identically to the first frame with the score at 4-2 in favor of Purdue early on. The Spartans, however refused to replicate set one as it took a 5-4 lead in set two. The Boilermakers responded with four of five points to gain the 8-6 lead, before Michigan State rallied back to tie the set back up at 10 points each. Purdue opened up a 12-10 lead as MSU called its first timeout of the second set. The Green and White pulled back within one as the score ticked 15-14. Two more Purdue points forced the Spartans into their second timeout of the set. The Boilermakers got the score to 19-14, before finally closing out the set at 25-17. Zlabis once again led the Spartans in the set with a team-best three kills.
Following intermission, the teams remained close early on with the score 3-2, in favor of Purdue. The Boilermakers responded with three consecutive points to lead 6-2 over the Spartans. MSU got back within two at 7-5, before pulling out to a four point lead at 9-5 as MSU called a timeout. The Boilermaker lead grew to five at 11-6 before it became a seven point lead at 14-7. Purdue's lead got to eight at 16-8 and 20-12 before the Green and White got within four at 22-18, causing Purdue to call a timeout. MSU scored one more point before the Boilermakers closed out the match with a 25-19 third set win. Zlabis led the Green and White with five third set kills.
Junior Natalie Emro (Wildwood, Mo.) was tops for the Spartans with 19 assists on the night. Fellow setter freshman Kristen Kelsay (Wheaton, Ill.) also had double-digit numbers with 15 assists. Junior Carli Weiler (Oak Lawn, Ill.) was the top digger for the Green and White with 12 on the night. Emro was joined by red-shirt freshman Alexis Mathews (Detroit, Mich.) with two blocks each.
MSU returns to action tomorrow (Oct. 23) when it remains in the state of Indiana for a showdown with the Hoosiers at 8 p.m. The match will be broadcast live in high definition by the Big Ten Network.
