One of the season’s most defining characteristics has been the mental toughness the volleyball team displayed in several hard-fought matches.
So fittingly, it was mental mistakes that cost the team its previous two Big Ten games.
Double trouble: Volleyball drops consecutive games
A couple days after falling to No. 10 Minnesota in five sets, the No. 5 MSU volleyball team (17-3 overall, 6-2 Big Ten) fell to No. 15 Wisconsin on Sunday in four sets, (25-20, 19-25, 16-25, 18-25).
The Spartans totaled 66 attacking errors and 28 service errors over the weekend. At times, it appeared as though the Spartans were their own biggest enemy.
The losses drop them from being atop the Big Ten conference, and also will likely cost them a few spots in the AVCA Coaches Poll.
Senior outside hitter Lauren Wicinski had 16 kills and nine digs and freshman outside hitter Chloe Reinig added 12 kills.
Alexis Mathews tied her season-high in blocks for the second-straight game with 10.
The Spartans won the first set against the Badgers, 25-20, and it wasn’t an easy match. MSU led by 18-14 before Wisconsin cut the lead to one. Reinig scored two kills to help MSU increase the lead, and sent in another one for set point. Wicinski and Mathews won the set with a double-block.
The Badgers gained control in the second set, breaking a 9-9 tie with an 8-2 run to go up 17-11. After a timeout from head coach Cathy George, MSU produced two blocks to cut the lead.
MSU continued to push, cutting the lead to two. However, the Badgers responded with a 6-0 run to go up 23-16.
MSU wouldn’t give up, scoring two kills from Wicinski and junior middle blocker/outside hitter Jazmine White. It was too late, as the Badgers scored the next kill only for MSU to end the match with an attacking error.
The Badgers continued to control the game, taking a 20-10 lead in set three. MSU once again made a late push, but it didn’t matter as Wisconsin took the match, 25-16.
Wisconsin finished the Spartans off in set four. MSU trailed 18-16 with a chance to tie, but the Badgers went on a 7-2 run to end the match. MSU contributed three errors to the run.
It was an uncharacteristically sloppy weekend for the Spartans, but they will have the opportunity to find their footing on Wednesday when they take on rival No. 16 Michigan at Jenison Field House at 7 p.m.
READ MORE
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
