Let's take a quick look at the Big Ten match-up between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Michigan State Spartans Saturday night in Bloomington, Ind.
What Happened:
After a loss to Purdue Friday night, the Michigan State Spartans came into Bloomington and rebounded to beat the Hoosiers in 4 sets (3-1).
The loss dropped the Hoosiers to 8-6 on the season and 0-2 in the Big Ten, after getting swept by No. 18 Michigan Friday night.
How it Happened:
The Hoosiers jumped out to strong start in the first set against the Spartans. Led by Ivie Obeime and Kelci Marschall, who had 4 kills each, the Hoosiers led by as much as 12 points as they stretched the score to 16-4 and eventually won the set 25-15.
Melanie Hicks had a strong start to the match recording 3 aces in the first set. The strong serving in the first set took the Spartans out of system and enabled the Hoosiers to control the tempo, but it would not last.
The Spartans took control of the tempo in the second and third sets and did not allow the Hoosiers to lead at any point in those two sets.
Michigan State's Kyndra Abron and Jenilee Rathje led the Spartans' attack with 15 and 10 kills in the match, respectively.
With the Hoosiers' backs against the walls, the fourth set became a dog fight between the two Big Ten teams looking for their first win in the conference.
The fourth set saw 11 ties and four lead changes, but the Spartans eventually took the final set 25-18.
What it Means:
After the loss to Michigan State, the Hoosiers dropped to 0-2 in the Big Ten. While a 0-2 start in the Big Ten at home is tough enough to handle, the Hoosiers will have their hands full on the road the next two weekends as the team will not return home until Oct. 14.
During that four game road trip, the Hoosiers will have to take on some of the Big Ten's most elite competition--traveling to No. 3 Illinois next weekend and then No. 10 Nebraska the following weekend.
If the Hoosiers want to have a chance in the Big Ten this season, the next two weekends on the road will be turning-point in the season.
What's Next for the Hoosiers:
Next weekend, the Hoosiers travel to Illinois for games against the No. 3 Illinois Fighting Illini and the Northwestern Wildcats.
Stat of the Night:
Michigan State hitting: 46 kills on 91 attempts for a .374 percentage
Indiana hitting: 45 kills on 112 attempts for a .161 percentage
