Rec Hall shock waves after loss to the Spartans

Lions Fall to Spartans in Five (Someone Didn’t Start the Fire?)

[Michigan State] will walk into that match believing they can win — not hoping they can, but believing they can. (Club Coach — in DigNittanyVolleyball Q&A prior to Michigan State match)

Before last night’s match with Michigan State, Penn State Head Coach Russ Rose spoke of “a fire that exists that makes the team better than the individuals that are playing.  That’s the component [this year’s team] has to work on themselves.”  Whether it was lack of fire, a very talented opponent playing a great match, something as simple as 13 service errors, or a combination of things, Penn State came up short in a 3-2 loss (23-35, 24-26, 25-19, 25-19, 9-15) to the Spartans.  5-11 Jr. setter Micha Hancock and 6-2 So. OH Megan Courtney both had big nights, statistically, as Courtney recorded a career-high 15 kills and 14 digs and Hancock totaled 9 kills and 57 assists.  6-4 Sr. RS Ariel Scott was tops for Penn State with her season-best 18 kills, and also totaled eight digs and five blocks.  6-6 Sr. MH Katie Slay registered 11 kills and led the team with six blocks (two solo efforts).  6-1 Sr. OH Deja McClendon recorded 14 digs, seven kills and one block.

Next up — the Michigan Wolverines, with both teams looking to avoid an 0-2 start (yikes!)

Match Stats