The MSU volleyball team earned a split this weekend, losing to No. 7 Wisconsin on Friday, then beating Northwestern on Saturday in a five-game thriller at Jension Field House.

The Spartans (10-10 overall, 3- 7 Big Ten) snapped their five-game losing streak when they defeated the Wildcats (12-8, 3-7).

Starting Homecoming weekend off, the Spartans dropped a five-game nail biter to Wisconsin (16-2, 8-1).

The Spartans had controlled most of the game but the Badgers would make plays at key moments to give them the 3-2 edge to win the game.

The Spartans were outblocked 17-7 for the match.

Freshman defensive specialist Melany Rarey appeared in her third Big Ten game of the season and had eight defensive digs for the night.

Sophomore outside hitter Katie Johnson was back in the lineup after a left arm injury and led the team with 22 kills for the first match.

Senior setter Mickey Davis posted 65 assists while Johnson added 24 kills in the loss.

On Saturday, the Wildcats took the first match as the Spartans had 12 hitting errors at the net.

The Spartans finally got back into the groove and won the next game.

Northwestern captured game three, but the Spartans took the fourth and fifth games to secure the victory — their first Big Ten win at Jension Field House this season.

Johnson, sophomore outside hitter Jessica Hohl, senior middle blocker Megan Wallin and sophomore outside hitter Ashley Schatzle all ended the match with double-digit kills. The Spartans had a .201 hitting percentage for the night.

MSU will continue its Big Ten season when the Spartans travel to Purdue and Illinois this weekend.