"It was a tough game yesterday, and to come here today and sweep Rutgers — I think it was because we have such a good connection on and off the court," Kulig said. "We were able to play a certain volleyball today because of that."

The opening set didn’t start perfectly — an early attack error by senior opposite hitter Evie Doezema gave Rutgers an early lead — but the Spartans quickly found their rhythm. Behind a burst of energy from freshman Bianca Mumcular and precise setting from setter Malayah Long, MSU rallied to take control midway through the set.

Long’s and Cam Berger’s run of aces flipped the momentum, and by the time the Spartans led 21–18, Breslin’s energy was palpable. Four aces and a kill from Doezema closed out the set 25–21.

MSU’s defense tightened in Set 2, anchored by libero Lia Schneider, whose quick reactions and reception dives kept rallies alive. Middle blockers Kulig and Carmen Waye formed a wall at the net, frustrating Rutgers’ attack and forcing errors.

By the middle of the set, the Spartans led 14–9, and with Danyle Courtley and Karolina Staniszewska hammering kills, MSU extended the lead to 22–17. A final kill by Staniszewska sealed the 25–18 win, giving the Spartans a 2–0 match advantage.

Kulig credited the team’s work on blocking for the night’s success.

"We’ve been working so hard for a few weeks on our blocking system, and it was so good today," she said. "The work we’ve put in really paid off."

Rutgers refused to go quietly in the third set, jumping out to a 10–5 lead. MSU head coach Kristen Kelsay called a timely timeout to settle her players after a rotation switch from Rutgers threw off their rhythm.

"They flipped the matchup — so they’d been starting in six or one, and we were in two," Kelsay said. "We stayed in two, they went to row four. So now all of our blockers, all of our attackers had different blockers, but most importantly, where you saw it was with our passers — they now had different servers coming at them. It took us too long to adjust, and I just reminded them that they see different servers and passers every day — so all they needed to do is keep communicating."

That message landed. The Spartans clawed back behind Mumcular’s aggressive hitting and steady passing from Schneider, taking an 18–14 lead and never looking back. Despite a push from Rutgers, Doezema’s kills closed the door 25–22 to complete the sweep.

Kelsay, visibly proud postgame, said the win was about response — both emotional and tactical — after the heartbreak against Purdue.

"Oh man, I was heartbroken all night," Kelsay said. "But I ask them every day to respond, and so I have to respond. We talked about Theodore Roosevelt’s quote, 'The Man in the Arena.' Yeah, we’re a little bruised, and we’re a little battered, but what a privilege it is to be back in Breslin and have an opportunity to beat another Big Ten team — and we showed up."

With improved blocking and net play, confident serving, and balanced offense, MSU looked composed and connected — the kind of team that can still show up in the second half of Big Ten play.

The Spartans will look forward to carrying that energy into their next matchup against University of Washington on November 7 in Seattle.