In the first set Binghamton took the first point, but the game remained a constant battle with seven lead changes and 16 ties. Eventually, MSU took the first game 32-30 after a Binghamton reception error. 

Michigan State came out dominant at the start of the second set, taking a 10-3 lead behind redshirt freshman setter Malayah Long’s assists and kills from four different Spartans — including three from sophomore middle blocker Carmen Waye. After a media timeout, the Bearcats started to gain traction, cutting the deficit to three. But as points were traded, Sparty remained in control, 19-11.

Binghamton called a timeout but failed to rally back. A halting kill from Long and attack errors cost the Bearcats. With a quick hit, Long ended the game 25-12 and put MSU up two sets to none. 

The third set presented an opportunity for Michigan State to sweep the match but started in contrast to the previous one – with Binghamton taking an early 8-3 lead. 

Spartan head coach Kristen Kelsay called a timeout and the Spartans delivered, with Waye smashing a kill to get the green and white going.   

“Really proud of [Waye],” Kelsay said. “To have the match she had, to have the third set she had in her first match returned from an injury, was pretty special. We missed her out there, and it was really, really exciting to see her play well in that first opportunity. “

Senior opposite Evie Doezema followed through with a solo block and continued to rise up with kills – including one into the back corner with not a single Bearcat around. 

Despite the Spartans' aggression, Binghamton responded with kills from three different hitters. With the score at 18-12, Waye went up for a kill but was denied by a massive block from sophomore right-side Viktoria Dimitrova and sophomore middle blocker Sophia Holland. Once again, MSU called a timeout — and once again, the Spartans answered.

Doezema came out with the kill, which was followed by a Waye ace. Despite giving up a point Doezema continued to attack, earning another kill when Bearcat defense tipped it out of bounds.

The teams continued to rally but Michigan State capitalized off what could have been their own error – a Binghamton spike that got through the block resulted in a kill for Doezema when a fellow Spartan saved it.

Crucial block assists from sophomore middle blocker Breccan Scheck and freshman opposite hitter Caroline Formankova kept the Spartans in the set, pushing the score to 17-20, and later 20-21. MSU tied the set on a Binghamton attack error but lost the next point. 

A kill by Doezema tied the game once again at 22-22, and Waye followed with a two-handed slam to give the Spartans the lead. Binghamton freshman right-side Maya Coblentz-Brown responded with a kill to the back corner, where the Spartans couldn’t return it, evening the score yet again.

The tie was short lived, and a simple tap-down kill from the hands of Formankova gave MSU the lead, bringing Spartan fans to their feet with fingers in the air for the one point left. 

Junior outside hitter Karolina Staniszewska ended the match with a kill, keeping the win streak alive with a sweep for MSU. 

“I'm really proud of all of the athletes who had some return-to-play starts tonight and who were playing a little out of position,” Kelsay said. “Not the best volleyball match we've played, but it's still a big win in terms of us finding just how to dig deep down and pull out a 30-32 set and be down 19-11 and win a set. Not my favorite win, but I'll take the wins within it.”

Michigan State will return to Jenison Field House tomorrow, to face Bowling Green State at 6 p.m.