EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State volleyball returns to the court this week, opening the second half of B1G competition with a Wednesday, Oct. 26 mid-week match at No. 9-ranked Minnesota before wrapping up the season slate of rivalry matches against Michigan on Sunday, Oct. 30. The Spartans wrap up a stretch of three matches in six days when it meets the Golden Gophers on Wednesday night in Maturi Pavilion. Michigan State football isn’t the only team on campus headed to Ann Arbor this weekend as the volleyball program looks to even the season series on Sunday afternoon.
About Minnesota
Minnesota is 12-6 overall (7-4 at home) and 7-3 in the Big Ten this season. The Golden Gophers are coached by Hugh McCutcheon in his 11th season at the helm. McCutcheon recently announced that this will be his final season in Minneapolis, currently holding a 266-71 career collegiate coaching record. Minnesota ranks No. 9 in the latest NCAA RPI and No. 9 in the KPI.
Taylor Landfair is among the top hitters in the country averaging 4.55 kills per set on .255 hitting. Landfair has a strong all-around game with 43 blocks and 106 digs on the season. Nationally, Landfair ranks No. 12 in kills per set, No. 13 in points per set (5.09) and No. 25 in attacks per set (11.48). Melani Shaffmaster handles the setting duties for Minnesota averaging 10.54 assists per set, ranking second in the Big Ten and No. 31 in Division I.
Four Golden Gophers have over 100 digs this season, led by CC McGraw’s 198 on 3.05 digs per set. Carter Booth leads the No. 6 blocking team in the country with 66 total on 1.29 blocks per set. Booth’s blocks per set rank No. 31 nationally and No. 7 in the B1G. Middle blocker Naya Gros is a Michigan State graduate having played four years for the Spartans from 2018-2021. Gros finished her MSU career #6 in total blocks with 464.
About Michigan
Michigan is 13-7 overall (5-5 at home) and 4-6 in B1G play this season. The Wolverines have lost three straight as the second half of conference play gets underway. Michigan is coached by Mark Rosen in his 24th season in Ann Arbor and 31st season as a head coach overall. Rosen is 673-330 overall and 464-293 with the Wolverines. Michigan dropped out of the AVCA Top 25 this season, but are still among the teams receiving votes, ranking No. 33 in the latest NCAA RPI and No. 31 in…
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