Oct. 1, 2003

Final Stats |  Quotes

EAST LANSING, Mich. - In the first match-up of the Pontiac Challenge Cup, the No. 14 Michigan State volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to Michigan Wednesday (Oct. 1) at Jenison Field House. The loss was State's fifth in the last six contests with the Wolverines. The Spartans are now 9-4 overall, 1-2 in the Big 10, while UM moves to 10-4, 2-1 in league play.

MSU came out slow in the first game and never recovered in front of the crowd of 1,855. Even though State held an 8-5 advantage, UM won seven straight points, which was helped out by a couple of MSU errors. A kill by Kim Schram ended the string, but the damage was already done. The Wolverines out-hit the Spartans .472 to .118 and took the game, 30-20.

In the second game, UM separated itself from the Green and White late. The combination of Jenny Rood and Sara Villwock gave MSU some momentum with four straight points after it trailed 16-11. UM, however, broke away down the stretch for the 30-23 game two win.

After the 10-minute break, Michigan State appeared to be on pace to reach a fourth game as it held its largest lead of the match in game three twice, once at 11-7 and again at 14-10. The Wolverines put together a quick rally and eventually tied the score at 17. A kill by Villwock and then by Rood pulled the Spartans ahead by two. However, that would be the last time State would lead in the game as Michigan cruised the rest of the way for the game three victory, 30-27, and won the match 3-0.

MSU came dangerously close to matching its lowest hitting percentage of the year, finishing the match at .149 while the Wolverines put up a .371 mark. Megan Wallin shined for State, though, hitting a season-high .526 with 11 kills.

The Spartans can still pick-up a half-point towards the Challenge Cup if they win at Ann Arbor Nov. 5.