Friday, November 8
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Michigan State University
9-16,2-12Big Ten
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Photo by: Brittney Kimball
Strong Serving Pushes Volleyball Past Rutgers in Piscataway
11/8/2024 10:17:00 PM | Volleyball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Spartan volleyball dominated late using 11 aces to take down Rutgers, 3-1 (25-21, 21-25, 25-23, 25-9) on Friday night at Jersey Mike's Arena. Michigan State held Rutgers to just nine points in set four, the lowest scoring output of an MSU opponent this season.
MSU improves to 9-16 (2-12 B1G) while Rutgers falls to 5-20 (0-14 B1G). Michigan State returns to the Breslin Student Events Center next week when it hosts Michigan at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 15 for the annual Battle at Breslin.
Junior outside hitter Taylor Preston posted her second double-double of the weekend, tying for the match-high with 17 kills in addition to 12 digs. Preston's kills were matched by junior outside hitter Akasha Anderson who hit .455 on 33 swings (17-2-33) to Preston's .341 (17-3-41).
Four Spartans finished with double-digit digs led by senior libero Nalani Iosia's 21. Also in double figures were sophomore outside hitter Taylah Holdem (13), Preston (12) and senior setter Rachel Muisenga (10). It's the third double-double of the season for Muisenga.
Michigan State's 11 aces were its second most of the season led by three each from Bishop and sophomore middle blocker Zuzanna Kulig. Kulig led all players Friday with five blocks. Bishop 29 assists were a match high, with Muisenga tallying 17.
MSU hit .269 for the match including an impressive .414 in set four. Michigan State held Rutgers to .074 hitting in a decisive fourth set victory.
After a back-and-forth start to set one the Spartans used a 4-0 run to pull ahead 13-10, and led 15-13 into the media timeout after an Anderson kill. Rutgers came within one of MSU late in the frame, but the Spartans got kills from Anderson and Preston to take the set 25-21 and finish it on a 3-0 streak.
A kill by senior opposite hitter Aliyah Moore gave Michigan State an 8-7 lead early in set two, but a 7-0 Scarlet Knights scoring stretch provided Rutgers with a 14-8 advantage. The Spartans chipped away at the deficit using a multitude of 3-1 scoring stretches to pull within two points late in the frame, 23-21, on an Anderson kill.
MSU found itself ahead 14-8 nearing the mid-way point of set three following consecutive kills by Holdem. Rutgers swung the momentum scoring seven unanswered points before the Spartans got kills from junior middle blocker Evie Doezema and Anderson to re-take a lead, 16-15. Each side traded points with Rutgers leading late, 21-20, but Michigan State ended the third on a 5-2 run after Bishop put MSU on set point with her third ace of the match.
Set four was pure dominance from Michigan State, who allowed its lowest opponent scoring output of the season in the stanza, 25-9. A Rutgers kill made it 5-3 early but the Spartans scored seven in a row to lead 12-3 on back-to-back kills by Moore. A 6-0 MSU scoring stretch that put Michigan State ahead 20-5 was highlighted by three straight aces from Kulig. Preston caught fire in the final set hitting .636 with seven kills and no errors (7-0-11).
MSU improves to 9-16 (2-12 B1G) while Rutgers falls to 5-20 (0-14 B1G). Michigan State returns to the Breslin Student Events Center next week when it hosts Michigan at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 15 for the annual Battle at Breslin.
Great (k)night to be a Spartan! #GoGreen | #SetTheStandard pic.twitter.com/vMUues5ZkY
— Michigan State Volleyball (@MSU_Volleyball) November 9, 2024
Junior outside hitter Taylor Preston posted her second double-double of the weekend, tying for the match-high with 17 kills in addition to 12 digs. Preston's kills were matched by junior outside hitter Akasha Anderson who hit .455 on 33 swings (17-2-33) to Preston's .341 (17-3-41).
Four Spartans finished with double-digit digs led by senior libero Nalani Iosia's 21. Also in double figures were sophomore outside hitter Taylah Holdem (13), Preston (12) and senior setter Rachel Muisenga (10). It's the third double-double of the season for Muisenga.
Michigan State's 11 aces were its second most of the season led by three each from Bishop and sophomore middle blocker Zuzanna Kulig. Kulig led all players Friday with five blocks. Bishop 29 assists were a match high, with Muisenga tallying 17.
MSU hit .269 for the match including an impressive .414 in set four. Michigan State held Rutgers to .074 hitting in a decisive fourth set victory.
After a back-and-forth start to set one the Spartans used a 4-0 run to pull ahead 13-10, and led 15-13 into the media timeout after an Anderson kill. Rutgers came within one of MSU late in the frame, but the Spartans got kills from Anderson and Preston to take the set 25-21 and finish it on a 3-0 streak.
Kash wins the long rally to go on set point in the first, 24-21!#GoGreen | #SetTheStandard pic.twitter.com/cGR2j3arGO
— Michigan State Volleyball (@MSU_Volleyball) November 9, 2024
A kill by senior opposite hitter Aliyah Moore gave Michigan State an 8-7 lead early in set two, but a 7-0 Scarlet Knights scoring stretch provided Rutgers with a 14-8 advantage. The Spartans chipped away at the deficit using a multitude of 3-1 scoring stretches to pull within two points late in the frame, 23-21, on an Anderson kill.
Taylah Holdem kills the overpass to bring us back within three!#GoGreen | #SetTheStandard pic.twitter.com/lsvUyfcpTS
— Michigan State Volleyball (@MSU_Volleyball) November 9, 2024
MSU found itself ahead 14-8 nearing the mid-way point of set three following consecutive kills by Holdem. Rutgers swung the momentum scoring seven unanswered points before the Spartans got kills from junior middle blocker Evie Doezema and Anderson to re-take a lead, 16-15. Each side traded points with Rutgers leading late, 21-20, but Michigan State ended the third on a 5-2 run after Bishop put MSU on set point with her third ace of the match.
Kash's 15th kill of the match puts us ahead 19-18 in set three!#GoGreen | #SetTheStandard pic.twitter.com/xxRPk4tXUP
— Michigan State Volleyball (@MSU_Volleyball) November 9, 2024
Set four was pure dominance from Michigan State, who allowed its lowest opponent scoring output of the season in the stanza, 25-9. A Rutgers kill made it 5-3 early but the Spartans scored seven in a row to lead 12-3 on back-to-back kills by Moore. A 6-0 MSU scoring stretch that put Michigan State ahead 20-5 was highlighted by three straight aces from Kulig. Preston caught fire in the final set hitting .636 with seven kills and no errors (7-0-11).
Keeping the pressure on in set four! Three straight ACES for Zuzanna Kulig!#GoGreen | #SetTheStandard pic.twitter.com/7GAzsqrZOx
— Michigan State Volleyball (@MSU_Volleyball) November 9, 2024
Team Stats
MSU
RU
Kills
57
50
Errors
15
17
Attempts
156
144
Hitting %
.269
.229
Points
76.0
58.0
Assists
51
49
Aces
11
2
Blocks
8
6
Game Leaders
Kills
17
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
17
Aces
2
Blocks
2
Kills
7
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ Volleyball
MB
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballOH
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