Friday, March 29, 2024

Team looks to snap 2-match losing streak

After a tough weekend that saw the team lose two conference games, including a drubbing by No. 1 Penn State, the MSU volleyball team is looking to get back on track at home.

The season’s first conference road trip didn’t go as planned. The team snapped its 10-game winning streak, losing 3-1 to Indiana and 3-0 to Penn State. The losses move them to 10-5 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten.

Head coach Cathy George said the team didn’t look focused.

“I do not believe we came as prepared to play against Indiana as we needed to,” George said. “Indiana’s a much improved team and I think that we did not capitalize in moments when we needed to. It’s a long road in the Big Ten and we’re just going into the third week of it. There’s a lot to be done and a lot to learn.”

This week, the team has been working on its focus in practice in an effort to stay perfect at home this season. The team faces Northwestern (6-9, 0-4) Friday and No. 21 Wisconsin (12-4, 2-2) Saturday at Jenison Field House.

“I think last weekend was an eye opener for us,” junior middle blocker Vanessa King said. “We can’t just coast through the Big Ten if you want to get into the (NCAA) Tournament. I think this week in practice we refocused and we want to come out with intensity. We have to because Northwestern and Wisconsin are good teams.”

The team also is still adjusting from losing outside hitter Jenilee Rathje for the season, George said. They’ve been working the last few weeks to find their dynamic.

“When you lose a player you’re trying to find what makes you strong within different players,” George said. “How do you capitalize and change your look a little bit? We are we’re slowly but surely finding that and we’re trying to find our identity.”

Still, the team is confident it’ll do well this weekend.

“Last weekend we weren’t mentally focused,” freshman setter Natalie Emro said. “We know what we have to fix, so as long as we do that we’ll be fine this weekend.”

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