Volleyball Outlasted by Northwestern in Five

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State volleyball was defeated by Northwestern in five sets on Saturday night, 3-2 (25-22, 16-25, 20-25, 26-24, 10-15). Junior outside hitter Grace Kelly and senior libero Nalani Iosia each had career-highs for the Spartans, with Kelly posting 20 kills and Iosia finishing with 27 digs.
 
The Spartans move to 11-6 overall and 3-3 in B1G play, while Northwestern improves to 8-8 and 2-4 in conference play.
 
Sophomore middle blocker Evie Doezema had 10 kills for the Spartans hitting .381 on 21 swings and freshman outside hitter Taylah Holdem added nine kills. Holdem also had 10 digs for MSU. Junior setter Julia Bishop led the Spartans with 28 assists and freshman setter Cameron Berger added 13.
 
Fifth year middle blocker Amani McArthur led Michigan State with seven blocks. Freshman middle blocker Zuzanna Kulig saw her first action as a Spartan and had three kills and two blocks in her return from injury.
 
Michigan State hit .144 for the match compared to .243 for Northwestern. The Wildcats finished with more kills (65 to 58), digs (77 to 72) and blocks (11 to 9). Julia Sangiacomo led all players with 32 kills and Alexa Rousseau had 50 assists. Kennedy Hill had a match-high eight blocks and Ellee Stinson finished with 27 digs.
 
Kelly’s six kills paced the Spartans in set one as MSU responded well to an early 9-7 deficit to take the first. A block by McArthur and Moore gave Michigan State its first lead of the frame since the 2-0 mark at 10-9. Northwestern would later tie the set at 16-16 on an ace by Rousseau, but MSU responded with a 3-0 run that featured a pair of…