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Sports | Volleyball

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans split weekend matches

After sweeping Illinois on Friday, the MSU volleyball team ended on a sour note by losing to Northwestern in five sets Saturday at Jenison Field House. After starting the season 10-1, MSU (11-5 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) has dropped four of its last six matches. Behind a spirited home crowd, the Spartans won the first and third games Saturday, but lost the second, fourth and fifth games to drop their third five-game match of the season. MSU head coach Cathy George and the Spartans were visibly upset when they emerged from the locker room following the loss.

VOLLEYBALL

Big Ten has been rude awakening for MSU

After winning a majority of its nonconference games, the MSU volleyball team finds itself struggling heading into its weekend matches. The Spartans have lost three of their four Big Ten matches, giving them a 1-3 record in the conference. "I think we have had great opportunities to win every game," head coach Cathy George said.

VOLLEYBALL

MSU swept twice during weekend

The MSU volleyball team didn't get the magic it was hoping for on the road this weekend. Instead, Northwestern and nationally-ranked Wisconsin appeared to have borrowed Harry Potter's broom as both teams swept the Spartans. The Spartans' hopes of making it to the NCAA Tournament vanished as they dropped both matches on the road, giving them 11 losses in their last 14 matches. The Spartans (12-16 overall, 5-13 Big Ten) were hoping to win the remainder of their last four games but unfortunately it won't be happening this season.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans need some magic to keep season alive

With four games remaining in its Big Ten regular season, the MSU volleyball team is hoping for a fairy tale ending. The Spartans (12-14 overall, 5-11 Big Ten) have been struggling to find their groove, but a win over Indiana last weekend showed they're not giving up on the season just yet. The Spartans will look to continue their success on the road when they take on Northwestern (16-10, 7-9) and nationally-ranked Wisconsin (19-6, 1-5) this weekend. MSU beat Northwestern in five sets back on Oct.

VOLLEYBALL

WEB ONLY: Spartans sweep conference foe at home

The MSU women's volleyball team (12-14 overall, 5-11 Big Ten) easily defeated Indiana (9-19, 2-14 Big Ten) for the second time this season, sweeping them 3-0 at Jension Field House on Saturday. It was the Spartans' first Big Ten sweep at home this season. After jumping out to an early 11-9 lead in the first set, the Spartans' offense caught fire, hitting at a .286 clip to give them the 1-0 advantage.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball heads to Ann Arbor tonight

Having won only two of its last 10 matches in conference play, the floundering MSU volleyball team will head to Ann Arbor on Wednesday in an attempt to resurrect its season. The Spartans (11-13 overall, 4-10 Big Ten), sitting in a three-way tie for eighth in the Big Ten, will face off against Michigan at 7 p.m.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball team splits weekend matches

The MSU volleyball team earned a split this weekend, losing to No. 7 Wisconsin on Friday, then beating Northwestern on Saturday in a five-game thriller at Jension Field House. The Spartans (10-10 overall, 3- 7 Big Ten) snapped their five-game losing streak when they defeated the Wildcats (12-8, 3-7). Starting Homecoming weekend off, the Spartans dropped a five-game nail biter to Wisconsin (16-2, 8-1). The Spartans had controlled most of the game but the Badgers would make plays at key moments to give them the 3-2 edge to win the game.

VOLLEYBALL

High-profile losses not keeping MSU down

In the midst of studying for midterms and coming off a tough road trip where it dropped back-to-back matches, the MSU women's volleyball team is ready to get back in action during Homecoming weekend. MSU (9-9 overall, 2-6 Big Ten) takes on No.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans facing tough Big Ten road trip

Coming off a weekend in which it lost both its home matches, the MSU volleyball team won't find things any easier when they head on the road for two games against nationally-ranked opponents. The Spartans (9-7 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) will kick off their two-game road trip tonight against No.

VOLLEYBALL

MSU drops both matches on weekend homestand

This past weekend is one the MSU volleyball team would probably like to forget. After getting swept by Purdue on Friday, the Spartans (9-7 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) dropped a tough five-game match to Illinois on Saturday at Jenison Field House. Head coach Cathy George said the games were a sloppy effort from her team. "We had some unforced errors and hitting errors that were pivotal to the play," George said. MSU won the first game against Illinois (11-6 overall, 2-4 Big Ten), then lost the second. In the pivotal third game, the Spartans played well with a .396 hitting percentage and a team total of three blocks, but Illinois made several key plays down the stretch to give them the lead. With their backs against the wall, the Spartans bounced back, taking the fourth game from the visiting Illini. But Illinois again took control, winning the final game 15-12 for the victory. Illinois proved to be too strong defensively for the Spartans as they outblocked them 11-8. Sophomore outside hitter Ashley Schatzle provided some offensive spark for the Spartans.