EAST LANSING, Mich. — Northwestern ended its weekend with a split, falling to No. 8 Michigan State in three sets at Jenison Fieldhouse on Saturday night.
First-year middle hitter Alana Blocker posted seven kills on 13 attacks, while committing only one error, en route to a .462 clip. Senior middle blocker Gabrielle Hazen led the way with three blocks, two of which came in the first set.
The Wildcats started the first set strong, playing the Spartans evenly to kick off the match. However, Michigan State began to take advantage of some unforced errors halfway through set one, and won, 25-18.
Both teams were competent offensively, with the Spartans hitting .387 and the Wildcats hitting .360. However, Michigan State posted a 78 percent side-out rate.
The Wildcats continued to play strong volleyball in the second set, forcing Michigan State to extra points. The Wildcats hit .281 as a team in the set, highlighted by senior middle blocker Gabrielle Hazen's errorless four kills on five attacks. NU went on to fall, 26-24.
In the final set, Chicago's Big Ten Team was unable to regain their offensive consistency that they saw from earlier in the match, dropping it 25-9.
The Wildcats next play their final three home matches, starting with Minnesota (Nov. 17), who is currently ranked at No. 5 in the AVCA Coaches' Poll.
First-year middle hitter Alana Blocker posted seven kills on 13 attacks, while committing only one error, en route to a .462 clip. Senior middle blocker Gabrielle Hazen led the way with three blocks, two of which came in the first set.
The Wildcats started the first set strong, playing the Spartans evenly to kick off the match. However, Michigan State began to take advantage of some unforced errors halfway through set one, and won, 25-18.
Both teams were competent offensively, with the Spartans hitting .387 and the Wildcats hitting .360. However, Michigan State posted a 78 percent side-out rate.
The Wildcats continued to play strong volleyball in the second set, forcing Michigan State to extra points. The Wildcats hit .281 as a team in the set, highlighted by senior middle blocker Gabrielle Hazen's errorless four kills on five attacks. NU went on to fall, 26-24.
In the final set, Chicago's Big Ten Team was unable to regain their offensive consistency that they saw from earlier in the match, dropping it 25-9.
The Wildcats next play their final three home matches, starting with Minnesota (Nov. 17), who is currently ranked at No. 5 in the AVCA Coaches' Poll.