The IU volleyball team rebounded from Friday's loss to No. 8 Michigan and claimed its first Big Ten victory of 2009 today, downing No. 16 Michigan State in four sets.
The Hoosiers (12-4, 1-1) defeated the Spartans (12-2, 0-2) by scores of 25-19, 18-25, 25-23 and 25-18.
"I think we earned it," IU coach Sherry Dunbar said of the win. "I think for once, we went out, we really competed, we fought for every point and we got rewarded for it."
IU and Michigan State played close until late in the first set when the Hoosiers won five straight points following a 15-16 deficit. Freshmen drove IU in the frame as freshmen Kelci Marschall, Samantha Thrower and Jordan Haverly posted four, three and two kills, respectively. Thrower and Haverly also recorded two block assists each as the Hoosiers held on to win the match's initial contest.
The Spartans rebounded in the second set, jumping to a four-point advantage midway through the frame and proceeding to tie the match at one set apiece. Junior libero Allyson Karaba recorded a service ace to propel Michigan State.
IU's freshmen continued to shine in a tight third set as Haverly recorded two consecutive late kills and Marschall added another, leading to a set-clinching service ace by sophomore libero Caitlin Cox. Junior middle blocker Ashley Benson also recorded four kills in the frame.
The Hoosiers carried momentum into the fourth set and cruised to a 25-18 win to seal the match. Thrower, whose final tally included 10 kills and five total blocks (three solo), put away the final point.
"It was really amazing," Thrower said of her Big Ten debut. "The support of my teammates was just ridiculous. Everyone was out there supporting each other, just firing each other up, and it was awesome."
IU returns to action in West Lafayette at 7 p.m. Wednesday against Purdue.
