Spartans Battle in Loss to #11 Florida

Spartans Battle in Loss to #11 Florida
 
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Michigan State volleyball concluded its trip out west on Sunday afternoon, falling to No. 11-ranked Florida, 3-0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-17), in match that was closer than the final score indicated. MSU hung close with the Gators throughout the match, but prolonged scoring runs were the difference.
 
A loss to nationally ranked Florida moves Michigan State’s overall record to 1-2, while the Gators finish the weekend in Colorado 3-0.
 
Junior Akasha Anderson led MSU with 10 kills with sophomore Taylah Holdem adding seven. Holdem led all Spartans with two service aces. Sophomore Zuzanna Kulig continued her efficient weekend hitting .556 with five kills on nine attempts. Kulig tallied four blocks to tie junior Evie Doezema for the team high.
 
Seniors Julia Bishop and Rachel Muisenga added 15 and 12 assists, respectively, with Bishop finishing one dig away from a double-double at nine. Senior Nalani Iosia posted a team-best 13 digs.
 
Michigan State hit .206 overall including a .323 clip in set one but were outpaced by the .361 hitting of Florida. The Gators held a 5-3 advantage in aces and led in blocks 9-to-8.5.
 
A back-and-forth first saw the Spartans lead by as many as two points late at 20-18 and 23-21. Both MSU advantages forced Gator timeouts after back-to-back aces by Holdem and Anderson’s fifth kill of the set. Moore’s second kill put Michigan State on set point, 24-23, but Florida rattled off three straight to steal set one.
 
Holdem’s fourth kill of the match tied set two early at 8-8, but Florida picked up the pressure using a…