The MSU volleyball got to enjoy its last four games in the state of Michigan, but this weekend it hit the road as it travels to Indiana for a pair of games.
The Spartans (16-6 overall, 4-6 Big Ten) are coming off a loss against Ohio State and look to get to .500 in the Big Ten with a weekend sweep against Indiana and Purdue.
The Hoosiers (10-12, 2-8) are the first team the Spartans visit, as the Spartans look to duplicate their 3-0 win over Indiana from earlier in the year.
Although MSU ran the Hoosiers out of Jenison Field House more than a month ago, the team has taken note of Indiana’s recent wins against No. 21 Purdue and Wisconsin.
“They’ve done a really nice job; they’re playing relentlessly right now,” head coach Cathy George said. “It’s not going to be easy going into their home and trying to get a victory.”
The Hoosiers, who dropped their first eight Big Ten games, now are riding a two-game winning streak into this weekend. One area the Hoosiers thrive in is their serving ability, as they have the Big Ten’s second-best service ace per set average of 1.40.
“They have a great serving team, so if we just keep passing the ball well, we should be fine,” freshman setter Halle Peterson said.
After facing the Hoosiers, the team will head north to take on the Boilermakers (14-7, 5-5).
The meeting between the two will certainly be a grudge match, as the Spartans went down to the Boilermakers in five sets earlier this season. It was a match in which the Spartans led 2-1 at one point, and it is also a match that the team will keep in its memories this Saturday.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to get revenge on Purdue,” junior setter Kristen Kelsay said. “They came in here, they stole one and they were lucky to walk out with a win that night.”
Junior outside hitter and Big Ten Player of the Week Lauren Wicinski carried the offense against Ohio State with her 29 kills, but George and the Spartans will be looking for more offensive balance this weekend.
Junior middle blocker Alexis Mathews, who has the third-most blocks in the Big Ten with 48, will front the defense at the net. Sophomore libero Kori Moster, who has a Big Ten second-best 4.13 digs per set, also will anchor the defense for the Spartans this weekend.
The Spartans’ weekend starts at 7 p.m. on Friday as they play the Hoosiers in Bloomington, Ind., then hit the court again 7 p.m. on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.
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