
Photo by: Brittney Kimball
Spartans Set Back by #3 Nittany Lions
10/11/2024 10:10:00 PM | Volleyball
EAST LANSING, Mich. – After two consecutive road weekends to open Big Ten play, Michigan State volleyball returned home on Friday night falling to No. 3-ranked Penn State by a 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-16) tally at the Breslin Student Events Center.
"Our passing today, compared to when we played at their place where I felt like we out-served and passed them, today they out-served and passed us," said Michigan State head coach Leah Johnson. "Nalani (Iosia) told the team after that this was a small step back, but it doesn't have to be where we stay. We've been making good progression the last four matches and this was a small bump."
MSU moves to 7-9 (0-5 B1G) overall while the Nittany Lions improve to 15-1 (5-0 B1G). B1G volleyball action continues for Michigan State on Saturday afternoon when it hosts Illinois on Big Ten Network at 4:00 p.m.
The Spartans got a team-high seven kills from junior outside hitter Akasha Anderson who also notched a service ace and a solo block. Sophomore middle blocker Zuzanna Kulig added five kills and a block. Senior setter Julia Bishop posted 18 assists and freshman defensive specialist Mya Bolton led MSU with seven digs.
Michigan State held its own through the early portion of set one using a 3-0 run to tie the frame at 12-12 just ahead of the media timeout. A kill by Anderson just past the mid-way point kept MSU within two points at 16-14, and a PSU service error held the two-point discrepancy at 17-15. Penn State rallied late finishing the first on an 8-1 run to win it 25-16.
Penn State opened set two on a 4-0 run, but the Spartans didn't waver tying the set early at 5-5. A back-and-forth frame saw Michigan State take a 15-13 lead into the media timeout on an Anderson kill. MSU used a 3-0 run to take an 18-15 lead over the Nittany Lions following a double block by Bishop and Kulig. A 5-1 PSU stretch gave them a 20-19 advantage over the Spartans before an attacking error tied the stanza at 20-20. Senior opposite Aliyah Moore fended off the first Nittany Lion set point to cut the deficit to 24-22, but Penn State took the second 25-22.
Junior outside hitter Taylor Preston's fourth kill of the match brought Michigan State within three points of the Nittany Lions in set three, 11-8. An Anderson ace kept MSU in the fight trailing by four at 18-14. A Penn State service error brought the Spartans within five points, 20-15, but the Nittany Lions ended the match on a 5-1 run to take set three.
"Our passing today, compared to when we played at their place where I felt like we out-served and passed them, today they out-served and passed us," said Michigan State head coach Leah Johnson. "Nalani (Iosia) told the team after that this was a small step back, but it doesn't have to be where we stay. We've been making good progression the last four matches and this was a small bump."
MSU moves to 7-9 (0-5 B1G) overall while the Nittany Lions improve to 15-1 (5-0 B1G). B1G volleyball action continues for Michigan State on Saturday afternoon when it hosts Illinois on Big Ten Network at 4:00 p.m.
The Spartans got a team-high seven kills from junior outside hitter Akasha Anderson who also notched a service ace and a solo block. Sophomore middle blocker Zuzanna Kulig added five kills and a block. Senior setter Julia Bishop posted 18 assists and freshman defensive specialist Mya Bolton led MSU with seven digs.
Michigan State held its own through the early portion of set one using a 3-0 run to tie the frame at 12-12 just ahead of the media timeout. A kill by Anderson just past the mid-way point kept MSU within two points at 16-14, and a PSU service error held the two-point discrepancy at 17-15. Penn State rallied late finishing the first on an 8-1 run to win it 25-16.
That Holdem hustle! 😱#GoGreen | #SetTheStandard pic.twitter.com/48IcCXFCWK
— Michigan State Volleyball (@MSU_Volleyball) October 11, 2024
Penn State opened set two on a 4-0 run, but the Spartans didn't waver tying the set early at 5-5. A back-and-forth frame saw Michigan State take a 15-13 lead into the media timeout on an Anderson kill. MSU used a 3-0 run to take an 18-15 lead over the Nittany Lions following a double block by Bishop and Kulig. A 5-1 PSU stretch gave them a 20-19 advantage over the Spartans before an attacking error tied the stanza at 20-20. Senior opposite Aliyah Moore fended off the first Nittany Lion set point to cut the deficit to 24-22, but Penn State took the second 25-22.
Have to be on high alert when #25 is in the front row!#GoGreen | #SetTheStandard pic.twitter.com/JNRss8C1Zh
— Michigan State Volleyball (@MSU_Volleyball) October 11, 2024
Junior outside hitter Taylor Preston's fourth kill of the match brought Michigan State within three points of the Nittany Lions in set three, 11-8. An Anderson ace kept MSU in the fight trailing by four at 18-14. A Penn State service error brought the Spartans within five points, 20-15, but the Nittany Lions ended the match on a 5-1 run to take set three.
Kash paints the endline for an ACE!#GoGreen | #SetTheStandard pic.twitter.com/C05Eup2HAJ
— Michigan State Volleyball (@MSU_Volleyball) October 11, 2024
Team Stats
PSU
MSU
Kills
44
26
Errors
16
14
Attempts
97
89
Hitting %
.289
.135
Points
56.0
32.0
Assists
42
25
Aces
7
4
Blocks
5
2
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Players Mentioned
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