CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Michigan State volleyball dropped a closely contested four-set match on Friday night, falling to Illinois, 3-1 (25-20, 22-25, 24-26, 18-25), from Huff Hall.
MSU was led by fifth-year Rebecka Poljan’s 13 kills as the Bath, Mich. Native hit .455 for the Spartans. Poljan also led the team with three blocks. Senior Emma Monks tied her career-high in kills with 11 for the second consecutive match. Graduate Zoe Nunez registered her ninth double-double with 36 assists and 19 digs. It’s Nunez’s fourth double-double in MSU’s last five matches. Junior Nalani Iosia posted 18 digs to closely follow Nunez’s match-high.
The Spartans took set one using a 7-1 run mid-way through the set to take control of the action. Illinois cut MSU’s lead to one late, 21-20, but Michigan State ended the set on a 4-0 run to close things out. Monks and Poljan each finished the set with three kills. The Spartans had four service aces in the frame led by two from sophomore Avery Horejsi.
Michigan State battled back from a seven-point deficit in set two, trailing 17-10 to Illinois before bringing the score to 19-18 late using an 8-2 run. The Spartans came back within one late, 22-21, before a 3-1 Illini run ended the set in the opposition’s favor.
MSU once again found itself in a hole late in set three, trailing the Illini 20-12. The Spartans battled back for the second consecutive set to tie things up at 22-22, and again at 24-24 after Illinois had two chances at set point. Poljan had six of her 13 kills in set three.
Illinois was led by Raina Terry’s 19 kills. Jessica Nunge (13) and Brooke Mosher…
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