Spartans Show Third Set Grit in Season Opener at Northern Colorado

GREELEY, Colo. – Michigan State volleyball started its 2024 campaign on the road at perennial NCAA tournament participant Northern Colorado on Friday night, falling 3-1 (21-25, 22-25, 25-23, 15-25) at a filled Bank of Colorado Arena. The Spartans mounted a massive comeback in set three, winning 25-23 despite trailing 16-7 mid-way through.
 
MSU opens the season 0-1 and looks to bounce back on Saturday night when it meets Colorado State at Moby Arena. Aiming to make its fourth NCAA tournament appearance in the last five traditional NCAA seasons, Northern Colorado starts the year 1-0.
 
“I was impressed by Northern Colorado tonight,” said Michigan State head volleyball coach Leah Johnson. “I was impressed with them before we showed up tonight after going through our scout. Everything we did as a team was soft. That’s not who we’re going to be, so our only option is to change. We didn’t compete hard until we had nothing to lose.”
 
Sophomore Taylah Holdem paced the Spartan offense with 12 kills and an ace, while junior Akasha Anderson chipped in 11 kills in her MSU debut. Splitting the setting duties, seniors Rachel Muisenga and Julia Bishop added 16 and 14 assists, respectively.
 
Sophomore Zuzanna Kulig set a new career-high in blocks with seven (three solo, four assisted) and tied freshman Mya Bolton for a team-best two aces behind the service line. Fifth year Nalani Iosia led the team with seven digs, but was trailed closely by Anderson, Holdem and Bolton with six.
 

We keep fighting#GoGreen | #SetTheStandard pic.twitter.com/XKWClHu9V8

— Michigan State Volleyball (@MSU_Volleyball)