After a promising first set, the Michigan volleyball team’s hopes were high.

But those hopes quickly faded away, turning into false hopes.

The Wolverines (16-10 overall, 6-9 Big Ten) ultimately fell to Michigan State (10-16, 3-12) after losing three consecutive sets, 3-1, with Michigan sophomore opposite hitter Valentina Vaulet being the only player able to generate consistent production for the Wolverines.

Each set started relatively toe-to-toe with Michigan and the Spartans constantly alternating leads. In the first set, momentum shifted to the Wolverines’ side, as they secured a 25-20 set win. While the following sets had similar starts, the momentum began to shift out of Michigan’s favor and into the hands of Michigan State, giving the Spartans three consecutive set wins.

“(Michigan State) really put a lot of pressure on us to be able to score.” Michigan coach Erin Virtue said. “In this conference, anyone can win any single night. We have to find a way back into that win column.”

Getting back into that “win column” seemed possible for the Wolverines after a promising first set. However, Michigan’s sole reliance on Vaulet and her consistency gave Michigan State an advantage because of the Spartans’ cohesion and better balance on the court.

“Valentina is somebody that we lean on a lot,” Virtue said. “We certainly leaned a lot on her to score points, especially from the offensive side of things, and we really needed some of her counterparts to step up and be able to have a little more balance.” 

Vaulet’s contributions were crucial throughout the match, as she finished with 20 kills, two aces, one block and the winning point for the first set — she far exceeded her teammates’ production. However, her teammates’ reliance on her ultimately cost the Wolverines the match. Her dominance on the court did not deter Michigan State, as the Spartans kept their feet on the gas once they won their second set. Their continued strength through the third and fourth sets, with 25-18 victories in both sets, emphasized the need for Michigan to work on its stability and execution.

“For us, it’s just stabilizing our past and the scenes that we’re working in there,” Virtue said. “We had to do a little bit of a better job in communication or execution.”

With stability, communication and execution in mind, the Wolverines are looking to get back into the win column amid a six-game losing streak.

The team’s constant leaning on Vaulet was a detriment against Michigan State. The Wolverines know they must work cohesively to succeed. To do so, Michigan will need contributions from more than just Vaulet, contributions it didn’t get against Michigan State.

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Michigan State had a rocky start in its matchup against Bowling Green, struggling to find its rhythm in the early stages of the game.

The Falcons, with their quick pace, came out strong, forcing the Spartans to play catch-up throughout much of the first half. MSU’s offense looked disjointed, with turnovers and missed opportunities disrupting any flow. Despite their difficulties, the Spartans’ defense kept them in the game, limiting Bowling Green’s ability to pull away.

The early part of the first half saw MSU unable to get comfortable on either side of the ball. It had trouble converting in transition and was inconsistent with its shot selection.

Meanwhile, Bowling Green capitalized on MSU’s mistakes, hitting timely shots and taking advantage of defensive lapses. The Falcons’ high-energy play gave them a brief but significant advantage as they stayed within striking distance. The Spartans seemed to struggle with the intensity of the game and could not find an answer for the Falcons’ perimeter shooting.

However, as the game wore on, MSU started to show signs of life. The team regrouped during halftime, with adjustments made to both the offensive and defensive schemes.

When the second half began, the Spartans came out with renewed focus and energy. They began to push the ball more effectively, working the offense with better ball movement and finding better shooting opportunities. The defense also stepped up, creating more turnovers and forcing Bowling Green to take contested shots.

What helped MSU pull away in the second half was its depth. Seven Spartans finished in double figures, underscoring the balanced scoring attack that eventually overwhelmed the Falcons. As the game progressed, Bowling Green’s defense could not keep up with the Spartans’ fresh legs and increased intensity. MSU’s ability to share the scoring load became evident, with multiple players stepping up at crucial moments.

By the time the final buzzer sounded, MSU had secured a comfortable 86-72 victory. Despite their early struggles, the Spartans showed resilience and depth in their comeback, particularly in the second half. The balanced scoring attack and improved defense allowed MSU to finish strong and come away with a solid win, setting a positive tone for the rest of the season.

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