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Leader Telegram
The State News, Michigan State University
Michigan State Volleyball falls to Ohio State in five set thriller
Michigan State volleyball fell to Ohio State in a five-set battle Saturday night, coming up short in a back-and-forth battle between two surging conference foes. Despite the loss, Michigan State finished ahead of Ohio State in several offensive categories. The Spartans recorded 65 kills and 71 digs compared to the Buckeyes' 63 kills and 62 digs. MSU also finished with 162 attack attempts, just five fewer than Ohio State's 167, showing how closely matched the two teams were throughout the five-set battle. Following the loss, head coach Kristen Kelsay kept a positive outlook on the season. "I think our best volleyball is still in front of us, so that's exciting," Kelsay said. "We've only got three big time matches left, so that's going to be our driving force here in the next week." The Spartans came out strong in the first set, overcoming an early Ohio State lead to secure a 25-19 victory. MSU found its rhythm with a four-point run to cut Ohio State's lead to one. The Spartans eventually took control midway through the set as senior outside hitter Alanna Bankston recorded a kill to extend MSU's lead to six. The Spartans started with a 4-1 lead in
USA TODAY Sports Media Group
US LBM Coaches Poll: All three remaining Michigan opponents ranked
Michigan football has passed the point of no return after losing to the previously 2-6 Michigan State Spartans on Saturday. Last year, the Wolverines finished ranked despite having four losses, given who the losses were to. They'll receive no such grace this year, even if they win out. That's because the teams that Michigan has beaten aren't very good, and the upcoming teams on the schedule, UCLA aside, also aren't very good. Both Oregon and Ohio State are three-loss teams, with the latter's third loss coming courtesy of the former this Saturday. More losses may come for either team, but the Wolverines aren't likely to win any of the remaining three games on the schedule -- at the Ducks, hosting the Bruins , or at the Buckeyes. The latest US LBM Coaches Poll is out , and all three of Michigan's remaining opponents are ranked. Oregon returns after beating OSU, and is now 19th. UCLA is fourth, and the Buckeyes are 20th. Former opponents, Indiana and Iowa , are ranked fifth and 15th, respectively. Here are the full rankings: Rank Team Record PTS 1st Prev Chg Hi/Lo 1 Georgia Bulldogs 8-1 1796 54 2 1 1/4 2 Utah Utes 9-0