It wasn’t easy, but the MSU volleyball team now is heading to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year after beating San Diego in five hard fought sets (25-19, 23-25, 25-20, 18-25, 15-11).
As expected by head coach Cathy George, the Toreros displayed their stifling defense by holding the Spartans to a .170 hitting percentage. The Spartans, however, displayed defense of their own, as they used 27 blocks and 68 digs to hold the Toreros to a .133 hitting percentage.
The first set started with tournament jitters, as the Spartans found themselves down to the Toreros, 5-1. The Spartans then used dominating defense that included 11 blocks and 15 digs to take the first game from San Diego, 25-19.
Seven of the 15 digs came from Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Kori Moster, and senior outside hitter Amy Dentlinger and junior middle blocker Alexis Mathews chipped in with three blocks apiece.
It was a much tighter start in the second set, as it was at a one-point margin until MSU went on a 5-0 run to jump out to a 16-11 lead. San Diego wasn’t ready to go away, however, as they went on a 8-1 run to to take a 19-17 lead. The Toreros never looked back, as they used their .281 hitting percentage to take the second game and tie up the match.
Although MSU only hit .220 in the third set, it was smooth sailing for the Spartans as they never surrendered a lead. Wicinski and Mathews’ combined 12 kills and junior setter Kristen Kelsay’s 10 assists gave the Spartans a big enough to push to take the set, 25-20.
The fourth set seemed to be all MSU’s from the get go, as the Spartans held an early 8-4 lead. San Diego, once again rallied to bury the Spartans under a 20-14 lead. The deciding factor was San Diego’s defense, as they held MSU to a dismal .053 hitting percentage compared to the Toreros .320 clip.
The fifth set displayed solid offense by the Spartans, as they had a .500 hitting percentage on 10 kills to take the match, winning 15-11.
The Spartans were led on offense by Wicinski, who had 20 kills, and Mathews, who chipped in with 14 kills.
The defense is what won the match for the Spartans, and 10 of their 27 blocks came from Mathews. Moster also had an outstanding game, as she helped the Spartans by bringing 29 digs to the table. Sophomore outside hitter Taylor Galloway also helped with 14 digs and four block assists.
The Spartans now will play the winner of the UCLA-LIU Brooklyn game, with took place immediately after MSU’s victory. The Spartans will be back in action at 10 p.m. Saturday at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
