After a lackluster performance against LIU-Brooklyn in the day portion of the day-night doubleheader, No. 25 MSU (6-4 overall) swept Western Kentucky (11-3 overall), 3-0 (25-11, 25-21, 25-16) in the night cap.
“We came out with the right type of intensity and focus we needed to play against Western Kentucky,” head coach Cathy George said. “They’re a very good team.”
The Spartans hopped on top of the Lady Toppers early, taking a commanding 9-1 lead in the first set. MSU kept their foot on the gas for the rest of the set, winning 25-11.
“We have to come out fired up in all the sets not just the first one,” senior co-captain, middle blocker and outside hitter Jazmine White said. “We were mad and pumped up, we just wanted to win.”
The second set was closer but the Spartans flexed their muscle once again, using a 5-1 run to pad their 17-13 lead. MSU won the set 25-21.
MSU slammed the door shut with a 8-3 run in the third set. The scoring was evenly spread in the set as three players: sophomore opposite hitter Allyssah Fitterer, senior outside hitter Taylor Galloway and freshman middle blocker Alyssa Garvelink all had three kills.
“We saw some amazing play tonight,” senior co-captain and libero Kori Moster said. “This is our standard and we want to keep it consistently at that standard.”
Sophomore outside hitter Chloe Reinig led the team with 12 kills. Fitterer and Galloway both had double digit kills as well, 11 and ten respectively.
Freshman setter Rachel Minarick missed the LIU Brooklyn game with an undisclosed injury but returned against WKU, posting a team-high 34 assists.
MSU was also without freshman outside hitter Holly Toliver, who missed her third straight match. Junior setter Halle Peterson sat out with a dislocated shoulder as well.
“We had to make adjustments,” George said. “We have to start showing we have all sorts of people who can contribute to a winning effort.”
The Spartans will face UW-Milwaukee (5-7) on Saturday at 7p.m. at Jenison Field House.
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