Another Penn State sweep over Michigan State
A consistent offense carried No. 5 Penn State to a 3-0 sweep over Michigan State Saturday night (25-23, 25-22, 25-17).
A trio of sophomores led the offense with Simone Lee on top with 10 kills, followed by Ali Frantti with nine and Haleigh Washington tallied eight. Penn State’s offense was also carried along by kills from redshirt senior Aiyana Whitney, redshirt freshman Nia Reed and freshman Bryanna Weiskircher.
These six players were also responsible for all but one of the blocks or block assists on defense.
Freshman Keeton Holcomb led the defense with 18 digs followed by Frantti with 13 digs.
Michigan State played a solid game. The team’s statistics are not too far off from Penn State’s totals, but the Spartans made a few more errors than Penn State and ultimately got outplayed by Penn State’s offense.
Penn State’s ability to finish each set proved to be a deciding factor in the win. At the end of each set, the Nittany Lions pulled through with those final few points while Michigan State gave its final push to fight back.
In the first set the Spartans were closing in on Penn State’s lead, with a final few kills they closed the set and carried the momentum into the second and third set.
This win ups Penn State’s record to 19-2, 8-2 in the conference. The new rankings for the AVCA coach’s poll are released tomorrow and hopefully edged past No. 3 Nebraska after it’s two losses this weekend. No.4 Washington also had a loss this weekend.
On Wednesday of this week, Penn State travels to Ohio State in the annual conference home- and- away series. The Nittany Lions will play Ohio State twice in three days starting in Columbus for a midweek match on Oct. 28 at 5 p.m.
A trio of sophomores led the offense with Simone Lee on top with 10 kills, followed by Ali Frantti with nine and Haleigh Washington tallied eight. Penn State’s offense was also carried along by kills from redshirt senior Aiyana Whitney, redshirt freshman Nia Reed and freshman Bryanna Weiskircher.
These six players were also responsible for all but one of the blocks or block assists on defense.
Freshman Keeton Holcomb led the defense with 18 digs followed by Frantti with 13 digs.
Michigan State played a solid game. The team’s statistics are not too far off from Penn State’s totals, but the Spartans made a few more errors than Penn State and ultimately got outplayed by Penn State’s offense.
Penn State’s ability to finish each set proved to be a deciding factor in the win. At the end of each set, the Nittany Lions pulled through with those final few points while Michigan State gave its final push to fight back.
In the first set the Spartans were closing in on Penn State’s lead, with a final few kills they closed the set and carried the momentum into the second and third set.
This win ups Penn State’s record to 19-2, 8-2 in the conference. The new rankings for the AVCA coach’s poll are released tomorrow and hopefully edged past No. 3 Nebraska after it’s two losses this weekend. No.4 Washington also had a loss this weekend.
On Wednesday of this week, Penn State travels to Ohio State in the annual conference home- and- away series. The Nittany Lions will play Ohio State twice in three days starting in Columbus for a midweek match on Oct. 28 at 5 p.m.
