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MSU volleyball sweeps weekend road trip against Maryland and Rutgers

October 18, 2014

Maryland and Rutgers came into the weekend searching for their first Big Ten win. Thanks to MSU, they will have to keep searching.

The Spartans (12-7 overall, 5-3 Big Ten) completed the East Coast weekend sweep, defeating Maryland and Rutgers in straight sets.

MSU is on a three game win streak and has won four of their last five games.

On Friday night, MSU pummeled UMD in their first ever meeting as part of the Big Ten conference, 3-0 (25-23, 25-14, 25-21).

In the first set, the Terrapins were able to keep it close all the way until the end. A service ace by redshirt sophomore defensive specialist Kristen Muir coupled with a Maryland error was enough to give the Spartans the victory.

MSU started the second set with a 4-0 run. The Spartans were able to keep its distance from there, holding the lead throughout the set.

The third set was much of the same, MSU raced out to a 5-0 lead and again held the lead throughout the set.

Sophomore outside hitter Chloe Reinig was essential in sealing the deal for MSU against UMD. Eight of her team-high 16 kills came in the final set. Reinig also had a .273 hitting percentage and a career-high nine digs.

On Saturday night, MSU made the trip to New Brunswick and handed Rutgers their eighth consecutive loss in straight sets (25-16, 25-21, 25-21).

The Spartans established dominance over Rutgers early, winning eight of the first nine points in the first set. Rutgers cut the deficit to three after a kill by freshman outside hitter Meme Fletcher made the score 15-12, but that was as close as the Scarlet Knights would get.

MSU won the set, 25-16.

The second set was neck and neck but after trailing 19-20, MSU reeled off five straight points. Redshirt freshman middle blocker Megan Tompkins gave the Spartans a 2-0 advantage with a kill on set point.

MSU used another quick to start to push them past Rutgers, beginning the third set with an 8-2 run. Despite a late Scarlet Knight surge, MSU held on to win the set, 25-21.

Offensively, Reinig led the team with 12 kills. Eight different players also had at least two kills on Saturday night.

Defensively, Moster led the team with nine digs.

MSU will have a week off before traveling to Columbus to take on Ohio State (14-6 overall, 5-3 Big Ten) next Friday night. 

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