STORRS, Conn. – The Michigan State volleyball program earned the 2023 Dog Pound Challenge crown on Sunday afternoon defeating Binghamton, 3-1 (25-12, 23-25, 25-15, 25-19), from the UConn Volleyball Center.
MSU wraps up the non-conference portion of its schedule with an overall record of 8-3 heading into B1G play next weekend. Michigan State has now won eight of its last nine matches as it takes momentum into conference action.
Fifth year middle blocker Amani McArthur turned in her best performance as a Spartan terminating a season-high 14 kills, one off her career-high. McArthur also led with a team-high four blocks (two solo, two assisted).
A variety of Spartans contributed in the kill department on Sunday, with five other Spartans recording five or more kills including freshman Karolina Staniszewska (9), junior Aliyah Moore (8), freshman Taylah Holdem (7), junior Grace Kelly (6) and junior Julia Bishop (5).
Bishop led the team in assists with 22 and was joined by freshman Cameron Berger’s 18. Senior Nalani Iosia had a match-high nine digs, with Staniszewska and Holdem each adding eight.
McArthur was named Most Valuable Player of the weekend finishing with 20 kills on 33 swings (hitting .545) and 13 blocks (five solo, eight assisted). Outside hitters Kelly and Moore were also named to the All-Tournament Team following Sunday’s match. Kelly was steady all weekend long hitting .371 with 30 kills. Moore hit .433 with 34 kills over the weekend, including a career-high 25 kills against Brown on Saturday.
Michigan State out-hit Binghamton .289 to .154 and posted a .393 hitting percentage in the match-winning fourth set. MSU out-dug the Bearcats 49-to-36 and had 10 service aces to Binghamton’s six. Both sides finished the match with six blocks, while MSU held a .653 to .474 side-out percentage advantage.
The Spartans led early and often in set one, using an 11-1 run mid-way through the frame to open things up after Binghamton cut the MSU lead down to two at 11-9. Michigan State’s run was highlighted by back-to-back-to-back aces by Iosia as it allowed the Spartans to mount a 22-10 advantage.
Michigan State trailed Binghamton early in set two before taking its first lead at 10-9. MSU’s lead was part of a 6-1 run that saw the Spartans take a 13-10 advantage after a series of…
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