Rutgers University
3-17, 0-8B1G
Michigan State
13-6, 5-3B1G
Volleyball Defeated by Michigan State
Oct 17 | Women's Volleyball
EAST LANSING, MICH. (Oct. 14, 2015) - Wrapping up its week in the state of Michigan, the Rutgers volleyball team fell in three sets to Michigan State on Saturday night at the Jenison Field House. The Spartans claimed the match with set scores of 25-15, 25-16 and 25-11.
Michigan State improved to a record of 13-6 overall and 5-3 in the Big Ten, while Rutgers dropped to 3-17 overall and remains in the hunt for a conference victory.
Sophomore outside hitter Meme Fletcher (Overland Park, Kan.) led the Scarlet Knights for the 12th game this season, registering a total of 10 kills. Junior right side Lauren Cloyd (Champaign, Ill.) and senior outside Megan Stephenson (Burbank, Calif.) followed with four kills apiece. Cloyd also led the squad with four blocks. Senior setter Anna Sudbury (Tomahawk, Wisc.) paced RU with 20 assists and eight digs in the loss.
On Michigan State's side of the court, Alyssa Garvelink registered a match-high 12 kills, along with three solo blocks out of five total. Holly Toliver followed with nine kills, while Rachel Minarick added in a match-best 30 assists.
Rutgers got off to a slow start against Michigan State in set one, but the Scarlet Knights rallied back to tie the score, 4-4, on a kill from Cloyd. The teams went wire-to-wire for the following serves, until the Spartans found another burst to move to a 14-8 advantage. RU attempted to fight back, but Cloyd's three kills and three blocks, in addition another three kills from Fletcher, was not enough to get the Scarlet Knight offense going.
Moving into set two, RU kept the score balanced from the onset. A kill from Fletcher followed by a solo block from senior Eden Frazier (Irvine, Calif.) put the Scarlet Knights ahead, 5-4. As the points went back-and-fourth, an ace from Fletcher kept the score tied, 8-8. Michigan State responded with a 6-1 run to establish a 14-9 edge. Although Rutgers would go on to pull within three at 15-12, Michigan State maintained at least a three-point margin for the remainder of the set to take the win 25-16 and a 2-0 lead in the match.
The Scarlet Knights re-established their energy in the start of the third set, as the teams kept the count even to start the stanza. A kill from Fletcher held the score at 4-4. Despite the resurgence for RU, the Spartans returned their momentum from the previous sets to once again take control of the scoreboard at 16-7. Michigan State maintained its lead, while Rutgers continued to cut into the deficit. Although Fletcher knocked down consecutive kills to bring her total on the set to four and to hold MSU at 23-11, the Spartans captured the win with a 25-11 win in set three.
KNIGHT NOTES
- Meme Fletcher led the squad for the 12th time this season with 10 kills, bringing her average to 3.85 kills per set.
- In Big Ten matches, Fletcher is averaging 2.81 kills per frame.
- Eden Frazier and Megan Stephenson each added in a solo block on the night.
- Anna Sudbury nearly registered a double-double with 20 assists and eight digs, while also adding two blocks and a kill.
Rutgers returns to its home court for midweek matchup against Maryland on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at the College Ave. Gym. The contest marks RU's blackout for this season and will begin at 7 p.m.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics ) and (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding women's volleyball, follow the program on Twitter @RUvball.
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