Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
Minnesota
Volleyball Swept By Minnesota
10/29/1999 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 29, 1999
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Minnesota used a 20-5 blocking advantage and held Michigan State to a -.018 hitting percentage to defeat the Spartans 15-6, 15-3, 15-10 on Friday, Oct. 29 in Minneapolis. The loss breaks a four match winning streak for State. MSU falls to 15-8, 5-6 on the season while Minnesota improves to 18-5 overall and 9-2 in the Big Ten.
Minnesota got the match started by siding out and scoring the first four points. MSU countered to tie the score at 4-4, using two service aces by Sarah Gustin. The teams traded points and at 5-5, Minnesota took control of the match. The Spartans would score only one more point as the Gophers ran off eight-consecutive points, including six when jump-server Lindsey Berg held serve. UM outblocked MSU 8-1 and outhit the Spartans .313-.000.
The Golden Gophers continued their onslaught in the second game, demoralizing MSU while galloping to a 7-0 lead. Block assists by Angela Morley and Erin Hartley and a kill by Maren Witzel gave the Spartans their first points. Minnesota shut down the Spartans? offense with its blocking and cruised to a 15-3 win. UM notched seven more blocks in the game and held the Spartans to -.053 hitting.
The third game opened with the Spartans playing full throttle, racing to a 6-0 lead. Minnesota was too tough, though, scoring 10 straight points, and going on to a 15-10 victory.
Erin Hartley led the Spartans with nine kills but hit just .000. Morley tallied six kills and a team-high four blocks.
Nicole Branagh led the Gophers with 15 kills, nine digs and two blocks and Charnette Fair had 11 kills and nine blocks.
MSU returns to action on Oct. 30 against Iowa in Iowa City at 8 p.m. ET.
