The team was reeling from a midweek loss to in-state rival Michigan, which defeated MSU, 1-3 in Ann Arbor. Illinois had beaten the Wolverines, 2-3, on Friday before sweeping the Spartans.
The last time the Spartans won a match was on Oct. 1 against Indiana at Jenison Field House; before that, the last Spartans victory was during the nonconference season on Sept. 10 against Witchita State.
"We get ahead in the first games, but we almost lay down and die in the second and third games," freshman setter Maggie Griffin said.
The Illinois match began with no decisive leader in the first game before the Fighting Illini closed for a win at 30-27, but Illinois later stepped up in games two and three to establish small leads in the beginning of both games.
"Our passing and system work broke down this weekend," Griffin said. "We could not keep the ball in a rhythm."
MSU head coach Chuck Erbe criticized MSU's mental game earlier in the week for not being able to take and maintain leads in the beginning of games, and has blamed the team's passing and serving game as well as its confidence as trouble spots.
Erbe could not be reached for comment Sunday evening.
MSU was led by senior outside hitter Kim Schram, who had 15 kills with a .195 attack percentage, pushing her over the 1,500 career kill mark. Jenna Wrobel holds the record for career kills, with 2,292 between 1995 and 1998.
MSU senior outside hitter Michelle Kopka had 11 kills with a .333 attack percentage and eight digs while Griffin had 39 match assists, eight digs and was the only member of the Spartans to have no errors in the entire match.
Illinois outside hitter Jessica Belter led the team with 18 kills and outside hitter Rasa Virsilaite with 11 kills and 10 digs, each attacking more than .515 while Illinois setter Stephanie Obermeier had 45 assists.
Four Fighting Illini players hit at least .500 and two players hitting more than .380 for a team total .462 attack percentage. In comparison, two Spartans hit more than .600 and two hit more than a .300 attack percentage, bringing the a .274 attack percentage.
MSU plays two more away games this weekend, facing No. 9 Ohio State at 7 p.m. Friday and No. 6 Penn State at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Griffin said the team should have played better against Illinois and will have to regroup and gain confidence before the weekend.
"It was obviously a disappointing game," Griffin said. "Not only could we have taken them to more games, but we could have beat them."
| School |
Big Ten |
Overall |
| Ohio State |
6-0 |
16-0 |
| Minnesota |
5-1 |
16-2 |
| Penn State |
4-1 |
13-1 |
| Michigan |
4-2 |
14-3 |
| Illinois |
4-2 |
12-3 |
| Purdue |
3-3 |
10-6 |
| Wisconsin |
3-3 |
9-5 |
| Iowa |
1-5 |
9-9 |
| MSU |
1-5 |
6-8 |
| Northwestern |
1-5 |
6-10 |
| Indiana |
0-5 |
6-10 |
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