Michigan State University
Minnesota
Volleyball Upsets No. 13 Minnesota In Three-Game Thriller
10/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 20, 2007
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State volleyball (13-9, 4-6 Big Ten) upset No. 13 Minnesota Saturday night in three games, defeating the Golden Gophers 30-28, 35-33, 30-22. Freshman setter Lauren O'Reilly dished out 54 assists in the bout, tying for fourth in MSU's individual single-match records for assists in a three-game match.
The win marks the first time MSU has defeated Minnesota in five seasons, dating back to Michigan State's 3-0 victory on November, 3, 2001.
"This is the first time we have beat them since I have been here," said head coach Cathy George. "Minnesota has a very fine program and Coach Herbert has done a fine job. His team is always well-schooled and well-trained; they always show up ready to play."
Defeating both Iowa and Minnesota, the Spartans swept their Big Ten weekend matches for the first time this season.
"It was huge," continued George. "We knew coming in it would be a difficult task, but we were up for it. And it was a very big night."
Senior Ashley Schatzle led the attack against the Gophers with 18 kills, while Katie Johnson and Vanessa King contributed double-digit efforts as well, with 15 and 14 kills, respectively.
In the backcourt, Miken Trogdon led the Spartans with 11 digs, followed by Heather McDaniel with nine.
Michigan State hit .400 as a team, its highest percentage in a Big Ten match this season. Jessica Hohl hit a floor-high .667, with eight kills and no errors on 12 attacks.
The Spartans battled through game one led by senior Katie Johnson's seven kills, and Lauren O'Reilly's solid defense, picking up four digs. MSU jumped out to a 10-4 lead, fueled by a four-point service streak, including one ace, compliments of Miken Trogdon. The Gophers cut the lead to tie the game at 19-19 - but after a timeout, the Spartans picked up three more points and never lost the lead in the eventual 30-28 victory.
Game two proved to be the highest scoring for the Spartans this season; the 35 points MSU needed to win are the most scored in a game all year. The game progressed with one- or two-point leads until Michigan State took a 25-22 lead. Even then, Minnesota clawed back, but after trading points through seven servers, MSU captured the lead, and Schatzle put the game away with a kill.
The Spartans took immediate control of game three, posting a six-point lead halfway through the game. MSU eventually extended the margin to eight points and won the game 30-22 on an O'Reilly ace.
Michigan State volleyball will split next week's matches, one on the road and one at home. MSU travels for a midweek match at Northwestern, Wednesday, Oct. 24, before returning home to host Michigan Saturday, Oct. 27.
