Friday, March 29, 2024

Spartans top Duquesne to continue hot streak

Freshman Reinig had a stellar debut in the win.

September 21, 2013

Duquesne ended MSU’s run of 17 undefeated sets, but with the help of freshman outside hitter Chloe Reinig’s promising debut, the Spartans ultimately prevailed.

A bout with mononucleosis delayed the debut of the No. 4-ranked recruit in the nation, but it didn’t slow Reinig as she tallied 13 kills for MSU (10-1 overall) in her season debut. MSU defeated Duquesne (5-6 overall) in a 3-1 match on Saturday afternoon (25-7, 26-28, 26-24, 25-18).

Wicinski continued to make history as she surpassed Veronica Morales for second all-time for most career kills in MSU history. Wicinski was tied with Morales with 2,006 career kills coming into the match. Her 22 match kills against Duquesne makes 2,028 for her career.

The Spartans cruised to victory in set one. MSU scored the first two points and eventually rolled to a 15-1 lead. Sloppy play doomed Duquesne in the early going as they compiled 11 errors in the first set. MSU went on to take the set, 25-7.

The first-set shellacking led to the emergence of a completely different Duquesne team in the second set. A more aggressive and sharp Duquesne team.

Duquesne committed only one error in the second set compared to 11 in the first. It made a world of difference as they jetted to an early 3-6 lead over MSU.

The Spartans responded to take a 12-9 lead, but Duquesne wouldn’t back down. The two teams went neck and neck with each other before Duquesne grinded out a 26-18 win in the second set.

The second set loss ended MSU’s streak of 17 undefeated sets.

The third set didn’t differ much, but this time the odds shifted in the favor of MSU. The two teams went neck-and-neck again until MSU edged out a 26-24 victory. Wicinski’s eight kills in the set were a major factor in the win.

The game opened up for MSU in the fourth set. Duquesne lacked the fire they showed in sets two and three, allowing MSU to jump to an early 10-4 lead.

Reinig came alive in the fourth set, scoring seven of her 13 kills. MSU remained in control and took the set, 25-18.

Wicinski finished with a double — 22 kills and 10 digs. Freshman middle blocker Allyssah Fitterer added nine kills and four blocks, senior middle blocker Alexis Mathews had three kills and nine blocks and senior setter Kristen Kelsay had 34 assists.

The Spartans return to action tonight at 7:30, when take on Cincinatti in the last game of the Auto-Owners Insurance Spartan Invitational.

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