The MSU volleyball team faced a major scare Friday evening, but the Spartans rallied to beat Illinois as four players had double digit kills.
The Spartans (22-7 overall, 10-7 Big Ten) fell behind early, losing the first two sets, 23-25. However, MSU wasn’t going to let its four-game winning streak come to an end, as the team refocused to collect its first 0-2 comeback of the season.
The Spartans took the third set in convincing fashion, winning 25-17 and changing the pace for the rest of the match. Due in part to a .452 hitting percentage in the fourth set and a .316 clip in the fifth, the Spartans ended the game with a 3-2 victory.
Not only did the Spartans end the game in their favor, but they also delivered a blow to Illinois, as that loss most likely makes it impossible to make the NCAA tournament.
The match was a total team effort by the Spartans, as the action was spread around through the whole team.
Among the four players in double digit kills, junior outside hitter Lauren Wicinski led the team with 20. Junior setter Kristen Kelsay led the team in assists with 36, and freshman setter Halle Peterson helped with 24.
On defense, sophomore libero Kori Moster led the team in digs with 15, while sophomore outside hitter contributed with 11 of her own. Senior and junior outside hitters Amy Dentlinger tied each other for game-high blocks, with five apiece.
The Spartans look to keep their hot streak against Northwestern, as they take on the Wildcats at 8 p.m. Saturday in Evanston, Ill.
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