8,291 fans came, volleyball tackles Breslin against #2 Nebraska

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State volleyball kicked off a packed homecoming weekend Friday night, falling to second-place Nebraska 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-15) at the Breslin Student Events Center. Over 8,200 fans were in attendance, marking the second-highest attendance in program history.

MSU moves to 7-11 (0-7 B1G) while No. 2 Nebraska improves to 17-1 (7-0 B1G). The Spartans remain at home against receiving votes in Washington on Sunday, October 20th at 1:00 p.m.

The Spartans honored 35 alumni in attendance between sets two and three. MSU specifically recognized the 2010 decade, arguably the most dominant 10-year run in the program's 52-year history. From 2010 to 2019, Michigan State advanced to the NCAA Tournament a whopping seven times, with two Sweet 16 appearances and the memorable 2017 season in which the Green & White advanced to the Elite 8.

Michigan State got nine kills from each junior outside hitter Akashic Anderson and junior outside hitter Taylor Preston. Second semester Zuzanna Kulig hit .545 with six kills on 11 attempts and led MSU with three blocks.

Senior setter Julia Bishop scored 26 assists and was a senior libero Nalani Iosia scored a match-high 13 digs. Freshman defensive specialist Kayla Foley made her collegiate debut with four digs.

A Spartan 6-1 run gave MSU an 8-6 lead over Nebraska early in the first set, with Preston later breaking two ties with kills to put Michigan State ahead 9-8 and 10-9. An Anderson kill made it 13:13 shortly before the media timeout. A Preston kill brought MSU back to within four points at 19-15, but Nebraska finished the first with a 6-0 run to make it 25-15.

Taylor Preston Tools the block and we have an early lead 💪#GoGreen | #SetTheStandard pic.twitter.com/WNjSpLV3IW

— Michigan State Volleyball (@MSU_Volleyball) October 18, 2024

Michigan State found itself in a 19-8 hole in the second set, but didn't relent, fighting back from a 9-3 series to get within five points at 22-17. Kulig was key during the run, contributing three kills and a block for the Spartans. A Preston kill and a solo block from Kulig fended off two set points and kept MSU within five sets, but the Huskers won the second set 25-19.

After two consecutive kills from Kulig we are 5-0!#GoGreen | #SetTheStandard pic.twitter.com/R1PoVI7h2E

— Michigan State Volleyball (@MSU_Volleyball) October 18, 2024

Anderson scored seven of her nine kills for Michigan State in the third set, scoring two straight kills to bring MSU within two points before the media break ended 13-11. Anderson scored six straight kills throughout the set for the Spartans, with the final kill pulling Michigan State within five points of Nebraska, 18-13. Nebraska put the frame out of reach with a 7-2 run to end the game.

Make those 7 kills in the third set Akashic Anderson!#GoGreen | #SetTheStandard pic.twitter.com/Q8xnILDgyF

— Michigan State Volleyball (@MSU_Volleyball) October 18, 2024