Volleyball Battles in Five Set Thriller at Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Michigan State volleyball program battled to a five-set loss against Illinois on Sunday afternoon, falling 3-2 (23-25, 26-24, 25-23, 22-25, 13-15), from Huff Hall. MSU trailed 12-6 in the fifth set before battling back within one point twice, 13-12 and 14-13, before Illinois found the match-winning kill. Sunday’s game featured 14 lead changes and 37 tied scores, a testament to the back-and-forth nature of the contest.
 
With a loss the Spartans fall to 9-4 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten conference action. Illinois evens its record to 6-6 overall and 1-1 in the B1G.
 
Freshman outside hitter Taylah Holdem led MSU with 19 kills and had her first career double-double with 11 digs. Junior setter Julia Bishop also had a double-double with 24 assists and 12 digs on Sunday. Freshman setter Cameron Berger nearly did the same in Michigan State’s 6-2 offense, finishing the match with 21 assists and eight digs.
 
Junior outside hitxters Aliyah Moore and Grace Kelly posted 15 and 12 kills respectively. Sophomore defensive specialist Jayhlin Swain led the Spartans in digs with 15, while senior libero Nalani Iosia had 13. Fifth year middle blocker Amani McArthur had a team-high six blocks (one solo, five assisted).
 
Michigan State was out-hit .177 to .243 but finished the match with more service aces (8-to-2) and digs (68-to-64). The Spartans were out-blocked 17-to-11 by Illinois. Raina Terry led the Illini with 25 kills, while Brooke Mosher had 46 assists and 17 digs. Kennedy Collins had 19 kills and nine blocks for Illinois.
 
Both sides traded points early in the first before…