Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
8-8, 19-9
Wisconsin
7-9, 15-13
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | 25 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Wisconsin | 23 | 25 | 23 | 17 | 1 |
Volleyball Picks Up Crucial 3-1 Win at Wisconsin Saturday
11/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 12, 2011
MADISON, Wis. - The Michigan State volleyball team claimed an important road Big Ten win on Saturday night, topping Wisconsin, 3-1 (25-23, 21-25, 25-23, 25-17) at Wisconsin Field House. The Spartans completed a sweep of Wisconsin for the first time since 2003, and for just the second time since 1988. Also, it is just MSU's sixth win in 30 trips to Madison all-time.
"Today was a very important win," said MSU head coach Cathy George. "This was one that we needed to help for the remainder of the season. Alexis was a key cog to our offense today. I have wanted to get the middles involved all season long, and tonight we were finally able to do so. Any win this time of the year is a big win in the Big Ten."
The Spartans had a well-rounded attack tonight, as six different attackers had at least five kills. Sophomore Alexis Mathews led the effort with a career high 16 kills, while adding a season-high nine blocks. MSU evens its conference record at 8-8 and improve to 19-9 overall, while the Badgers fall to 15-13 overall and 7-9 in league play.
The Spartans took the first set, 25-23, behind five kills and three blocks from Mathews. MSU fell behind 6-1, but took the next six points to take a 7-6. From there the lead pinball back and forth, including seven ties, before a kill from Mathews gave the Spartans a 16-15 lead. MSU would not trail again, taking the set on a kill from senior Jenilee Rathje.
Wisconsin took set two, 25-21, but it was tight throughout. With the score tied at 12, the two teams matched the next six service points, remaining tied, this time at 16. The Badgers would take four of the next five points to seize control, and tie the game at a set apiece.
In a see-saw third set, the Spartans overtook a seven-point deficit to take the set, 25-23. MSU took a modest 6-4 lead to begin the third set, but it would not last very long. Wisconsin took 11 of the next 13 points, including six-straight at one point, to command the set at 15-8. However, the Spartans had a run left in them, taking the next seven points, to tie the set at 15. The score bounced back and forth, and remained tied at 19, until Michigan State took three consecutive points to build a lead it wouldn't relinquish. Senior Kyndra Abron paced MSU with five kills in the set, including the final point.
Michigan State took the first point in set four and never trailed, winning the set, 25-17. With the score 7-6, the Spartans went on a 9-2 run to open up a commanding 16-8 lead. The Badgers did not have another run in them, unable to extend the game to five sets.
Senior Natalie Emro (22 assists) and sophomore Kristen Kelsay (23 assists) evenly distributed the Spartan attack, while Emro also added five kills and a career-high eight block assists. Abron (14 kills) and Rathje (12 kills) each posted double-digit kills, while freshman Jazmine White set a season-high with eight block assists. Defensively, freshman Kori Moster had a game-high 21 digs.
The Spartans outhit Wisconsin in all four sets, and held a 29.0% to 18.8% advantage for the game. MSU had 17 blocks, while the Badgers only had two.
The Spartans return to Jenison Field House for the first time in almost three weeks, to host No. 7 Illinois on Friday night at 7 p.m.
