Friday, September 22
Ann Arbor, Mich.
7 PM
Michigan State University
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Michigan
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Michigan St.
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Michigan
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Photo by: Brittney Kimball
Volleyball Sweeps Michigan to Open B1G Action
9/22/2023 10:08:00 PM | Volleyball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Freshman outside hitter Taylah Holdem posted 19 kills on Friday night as the Michigan State volleyball program defeated Michigan, 3-0 (25-14, 25-22, 25-22), to open B1G play from the Crisler Center.
It was Michigan State's first victory over Michigan since Oct. 18, 2017, and the first win in Ann Arbor since Nov. 27, 2013, which was also the last time the Spartans swept Michigan. MSU is 1-0 in B1G play for the first time since 2017 when the team defeated No. 5-ranked Wisconsin to open conference play, 3-2, on Sept. 22.
"I was really proud of our resilience tonight," said Michigan State head coach Leah Johnson. "We lost a player to injury just yesterday so we had to shuffle our lineup this morning and it was challenging to sort that out and still feel collected. I thought that composure we showed is what will pay off as we go through the season. Really proud of my team for staying steady."
With a win on Friday night Michigan State improved to 9-3 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten. MSU has now won nine of its last 10 matches, which includes six sweeps.
"To start conference play with it a win, it changes how you think about your season and your potential," said Johnson. "It puts so wind in your sails and moves you into you next match with a lot of confidence. I think that fighting spirit burns a little hotter every time you win. I'm excited for this team. They deserve it."
Holdem hit .417 as she led with a match-best in kills and service aces (4). Junior Grace Kelly had six kills while junior Aliyah Moore added five. Senior Nalani Iosia posted 14 digs to lead all players and fifth year Amani McArthur stuffed four blocks (two solo, two assisted) to tie for the match high. Junior Julia Bishop and freshman Cameron Berger split time at setter and each collected 14 assists.
The Spartans out-hit Michigan .293 to .200, hitting over .400 in sets one (.500) and three (.406). MSU finished the match with more kills (38 to 33), assists (35 to 29), aces (8 to 6) and digs (36 to 23), while tying the Wolverines in blocks (6).
Michigan State hit .500 and used five Wolverine service errors to their advantage in set one, winning it 25-14. Holdem had five kills on five swings in the set to pace the Spartans, who took a 2-1 lead in the set and never looked back.
Michigan opened the second set up 5-0 to take an early advantage over MSU, then pushing their edge to 7-1 to force an early Michigan State timeout. MSU made the most of its breather going on a 9-1 run of its own out of the break to take a 10-8 lead. Holdem and Kelly each had a pair of kills for the Spartans during the run. Michigan State maintained a narrow lead into the later stages of the set before back-to-back Wolverine points tied things up at 19-19. Michigan State would end the set on a 6-3 run, which included three more Holdem kills, to take the second frame.
Both sides traded points early in set three before Michigan State built its largest lead of the set up 19-13 late. Michigan would not go down without a fight however, using a 9-4 run to pull within one of the Spartans. Coach Johnson called timeout up 23-22 to reset and it paid off, with Holdem finishing the Wolverines off with consecutive points, her 19th kill of the night and her fourth service ace.
UP NEXT
Michigan State continues its road trip in Champaign, Ill. on Sunday, taking on Illinois at 2:00 p.m. ET. Illinois opened its B1G slate with a 3-1 loss at Indiana on Wednesday night and is 5-6 overall in 2023.
It was Michigan State's first victory over Michigan since Oct. 18, 2017, and the first win in Ann Arbor since Nov. 27, 2013, which was also the last time the Spartans swept Michigan. MSU is 1-0 in B1G play for the first time since 2017 when the team defeated No. 5-ranked Wisconsin to open conference play, 3-2, on Sept. 22.
"I was really proud of our resilience tonight," said Michigan State head coach Leah Johnson. "We lost a player to injury just yesterday so we had to shuffle our lineup this morning and it was challenging to sort that out and still feel collected. I thought that composure we showed is what will pay off as we go through the season. Really proud of my team for staying steady."
With a win on Friday night Michigan State improved to 9-3 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten. MSU has now won nine of its last 10 matches, which includes six sweeps.
"To start conference play with it a win, it changes how you think about your season and your potential," said Johnson. "It puts so wind in your sails and moves you into you next match with a lot of confidence. I think that fighting spirit burns a little hotter every time you win. I'm excited for this team. They deserve it."
Holdem hit .417 as she led with a match-best in kills and service aces (4). Junior Grace Kelly had six kills while junior Aliyah Moore added five. Senior Nalani Iosia posted 14 digs to lead all players and fifth year Amani McArthur stuffed four blocks (two solo, two assisted) to tie for the match high. Junior Julia Bishop and freshman Cameron Berger split time at setter and each collected 14 assists.
The Spartans out-hit Michigan .293 to .200, hitting over .400 in sets one (.500) and three (.406). MSU finished the match with more kills (38 to 33), assists (35 to 29), aces (8 to 6) and digs (36 to 23), while tying the Wolverines in blocks (6).
Michigan State hit .500 and used five Wolverine service errors to their advantage in set one, winning it 25-14. Holdem had five kills on five swings in the set to pace the Spartans, who took a 2-1 lead in the set and never looked back.
Michigan opened the second set up 5-0 to take an early advantage over MSU, then pushing their edge to 7-1 to force an early Michigan State timeout. MSU made the most of its breather going on a 9-1 run of its own out of the break to take a 10-8 lead. Holdem and Kelly each had a pair of kills for the Spartans during the run. Michigan State maintained a narrow lead into the later stages of the set before back-to-back Wolverine points tied things up at 19-19. Michigan State would end the set on a 6-3 run, which included three more Holdem kills, to take the second frame.
Both sides traded points early in set three before Michigan State built its largest lead of the set up 19-13 late. Michigan would not go down without a fight however, using a 9-4 run to pull within one of the Spartans. Coach Johnson called timeout up 23-22 to reset and it paid off, with Holdem finishing the Wolverines off with consecutive points, her 19th kill of the night and her fourth service ace.
UP NEXT
Michigan State continues its road trip in Champaign, Ill. on Sunday, taking on Illinois at 2:00 p.m. ET. Illinois opened its B1G slate with a 3-1 loss at Indiana on Wednesday night and is 5-6 overall in 2023.
Team Stats
MSU
Mich
Kills
38
33
Errors
14
15
Attempts
82
90
Hitting %
.293
.200
Points
52.0
45.0
Assists
35
29
Aces
8
6
Blocks
6
6
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
19
Aces
4
Blocks
0
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
4
Aces
2
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
S
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ VolleyballOH
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