CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Wrapping up non-conference action on Sunday afternoon, Michigan State fell to North Carolina, 3-1 (25-18, 16-15, 25-23, 25-20), at Carmichael Arena. The Spartans were on their final match of a four-match week that started in Ypsilanti, Mich. on Monday night.
MSU moves to 7-4 overall while North Carolina improves to 8-1 ahead of Atlantic Coast Conference play. The Spartans will kick-off B1G action next Friday, September 27 at Michigan.
Sophomore middle blocker Zuzanna Kulig continued her strong week of play in the front row finishing with a match-high eight blocks. Kulig concluded the week with 24 total blocks (1.71/set) and added eight kills Sunday on .500 hitting (8-0-16). Junior middle blocker Evie Doezema hit double-digit kills for the second time this season with 10 kills on 16 attempts to hit .562 (10-1-16). Doezema had an incredibly efficient week hitting .647 with 36 kills and two errors on 51 attempts.
Fifth year libero Nalani Iosia posted a match-high 22 digs, while senior setter Rachel Muisenga tallied her second double-double of the week with 17 assists and 11 digs. Senior setter Julia Bishop led with 20 assists. Sophomore Taylah Holdem chipped in a team-best 11 kills.
The Spartans were narrowly bested in hitting (.269-to-.238) and kills (57-to-52). MSU out-blocked UNC 12-to-8.
North Carolina built a 7-3 lead early in set one and held it throughout the remainder of the frame. A block by Anderson and Kulig late in the stanza brought Michigan State back within three points, 19-16, but that’s the closest the Spartans would get late. UNC ended the set on a 6-2 run….
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Michigan State University Athletics…