Volleyball Drops Home Opener to Michigan State, 3-0

Box score.

YPSILANTI, Mich. -- The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team dropped its 2007 home opener to Michigan State University, 3-0 (19-30, 20-30, 17-30) Tuesday night in non-conference action here at the Convocation Center. The senior duo of Abby Reenders and Becky Reenders combined for 16 of the team’s 26 kills, while junior Jill Wolosiansky tallied four kills in a losing effort.

With the loss, the Eagles fall to 7-4 on the season, while the Spartans improve to 8-4.

Tonight’s contest marked the first time a Big Ten Conference opponent has visited the nine-year old Convocation Center. Ironically, Michigan State was also the last one to visit Ypsilanti, when the Spartans captured a 3-1 victory at venerable Bowen Field House, Sept. 13, 1994.

Besides the trio of the Reenders and Wolosiansky, freshman Lauren Boehmer recorded three kills along with Katie Bates adding a pair. Senior setter Kate Sulewski tallied 23 set assists on the night, combined with sophomore Kim Jarzynka’s 14 digs.

MSU’s Ashley Schatzle posted her sixth double-double of the season with 13 kills and 12 digs while Jenilee Rathje continued to make her mark as a freshman. The middle blocker tallied five block assists and one block solo for six total stuffs against the Eagles, while also hitting .429 with eight kills. As a whole, MSU dominated the net with a strong defensive effort of 11 team blocks (four solo and 14 assists).

The Spartans and Eagles exchanged points early in game one until MSU took a 25-17 advantage, thanks in large part to Miken Trogdon took over. The defensive specialist tacked on six straight points, including three service aces, to boost MSU to its eight-point lead. Michigan State maintained its strong lead in the eventual 30-19 victory.

Game two moved similarly to game one with close scores, but Lauren O'Reilly served up six points to put MSU up 20-14. The Spartans closed out the second game with a four-point service run by Johnson and decisive kills by Schatzle.

In the finale, Michigan State ran off to a quick five-point lead at 7-2 and never looked back, winning the game 30-20 and the match 3-0.

The Eagles return to action this weekend, Sept. 14-15, at the University of Albany Tournament. EMU tackles host Albany Friday, Sept. 14, at 1 p.m. before wrapping up the weekend with Brown, 10 a.m., and Northeastern, 1 p.m.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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