FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Michigan State volleyball tested themselves to open the season on Friday night, falling to No. 25-ranked Arkansas 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-10). The raucous Razorback crowd provided MSU an early glimpse of what a Big Ten volleyball atmosphere will look like come conference play.
“I thought Arkansas was excellent, there’s a reason they’re Top 25,” said Michigan State head coach Leah Johnson. “Veteran lefts, graduate students in the middle, an elite defensive team. There were very few flaws in their system.”
Friday was the first time Michigan State had opened the season against a ranked opponent, excluding the shortened B1G season in 2020, since a match against No. 15-ranked Kentucky to start the 2015 campaign.
“We tried to play it too safe which was strange because that’s not at all what we do in our gym,” said Johnson. “Arkansas forced us to play on our heels. We’re not going to dwell on this for long though. We’re better than the product we put on the court tonight, which was disappointing, and that’s on me.”
Freshman outside hitter Karolina Staniszewska led the Spartans with seven kills on Friday night, while fifth year Amani McArthur paced the team with three blocks in her MSU debut. Senior Nalani Iosia had a match-high 14 digs at libero. Setting duties were split between junior Julia Bishop (12 assists) and junior Rachel Muisenga (10 assists).
Arkansas out-hit the Spartans .320 to .090, with 41 kills to MSU’s 26. The Razorbacks were aided by six service aces and 10 blocks. Jillian Gillen led all players with 14 kills, followed by Taylor Head’s 13. Hannah Hogue posted a double-double for Arkansas with 32 assists and 10 digs.
Michigan State kept things close early on in set one, trailing 9-7 before a lengthy Razorback run opened things up. Arkansas used a 7-1 run mid-way through the first to take a 13-7 lead over the Spartans. MSU clawed back into it with a 5-2 run of its own thanks to several moments from McArthur. Unfortunately for the Spartans both sides traded points for the remainder of the set and a five-point disadvantage was the closest they would get.
The Spartans opened set two strong taking an early 3-1 lead thanks to a kill by freshman Taylah Holdem and an ace from sophomore Nil Okur. Arkansas…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Michigan State University Athletics…