After sweeping Illinois on Friday, the MSU volleyball team ended on a sour note by losing to Northwestern in five sets Saturday at Jenison Field House.

After starting the season 10-1, MSU (11-5 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) has dropped four of its last six matches.

Behind a spirited home crowd, the Spartans won the first and third games Saturday, but lost the second, fourth and fifth games to drop their third five-game match of the season.

MSU head coach Cathy George and the Spartans were visibly upset when they emerged from the locker room following the loss.

"We had some up and downs. We played extremely well at times and played poorly at times," George said.

"You have to learn from every experience that you have."

There were, however, several positives for the Spartans. The team out-blocked each of its weekend opponents, led by a career-high nine blocks on Saturday from freshman middle back Vanessa King.

"There are some players that definitely improved this weekend, especially in blocking," George said.

Friday's win also was one of MSU's most efficient performances of the season. The Spartans registered a .402 hitting percentage, the highest mark in conference play thus far.

Junior outside hitters Katie Johnson and Ashley Schatzle combined for 86 kills over the weekend, and senior setter Allison Ianni added 100 assists. Johnson and Ianni rank second in the Big Ten in kills and assists per game, respectively.

The Spartans only have two days of practice before playing Michigan at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Ann Arbor.

"This is not necessarily a skill here or there," George said, "it's a game plan and making sure we are fully prepared."

After the U-M game on Wednesday, the Spartans continue their Big Ten season with a home game at 8 p.m. Saturday against Iowa.