Lansing Sun

Michigan State University's volleyball team faced a tough challenge against Illinois, eventually falling in a five-set match at the Breslin Student Events Center. The Spartans lost 3-2 with set scores of 15-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-23, and 15-8. Sophomore Zuzanna Kulig achieved a personal milestone with 12 blocks, the highest for any Spartan since Alexis Mathews in 2010. Her performance ranks fourth in individual blocks within the program's history.

Head coach Leah Johnson expressed her views on the match: "I think both teams battled tonight," she said. "I liked how we started the match with such a decisive win in set one and continued to fight to take set three. We're competing hard and I'm so proud of our resiliency."

Following this match, Michigan State's record stands at 7-10 overall and they are yet to secure a victory in Big Ten Conference play with an 0-6 record. Meanwhile, Illinois improved their standing to an overall record of 11-5 and a conference record of 3-3.

Key players included junior Taylor Preston who led MSU with 15 kills and senior Julia Bishop who contributed six kills along with managing team coordination through her role as setter by providing 30 assists. Senior Nalani Iosia was also notable for achieving over twenty digs for the seventh time this season.

The Spartans collectively achieved their highest number of blocks since November 2019 with a total of seventeen during this game against Illinois. However, despite out-hitting Illinois .187 to .145 and having more digs (60 compared to Illinois' fifty), Michigan State could not overcome Illinois' superior serving which saw them achieve twelve service aces.

In upcoming matches, Michigan State will remain at home where they will face off against top-ranked Nebraska followed by Washington.