Michigan State Downs Clemson, 3-0, in Spartan Invitational Opener

Sept. 10, 2010

EAST LANSING, MI – The Clemson volleyball team dropped a 3-0 (22-25, 16-25, 20-25) decision to the Michigan State Spartans on Friday night in Jenison arena in the Spartan Invitational. The Tigers fell to 6-1 on the year, while Michigan State improves to 5-2.

The Tigers will have a quick turnaround, as they take on Eastern Michigan (9-0)at 10:00 am on Saturday, and take on Eastern Illinois (3-2) at 4:30 pm, before returning to Clemson Sunday. Live results will be available on ClemsonTigers.com.

Michigan State’s defense frustrated the Tigers, holding them to a season-low .064 hitting percentage. Natalie Patzin led all Tigers with nine kills, while Serenat Yaz and Sandra Adeleye each added seven.

It was the second straight year the Spartans defeated Clemson, giving them a 2-1 all-time series lead. The Clemson defense, which led the ACC in opponent hitting percentage, held Michigan state to a .198 figure, but the Spartans were able to finish points and limit errors in the win.

Michigan State took the first set, 25-22, despite being outhit by almost 50 points. The Tigers fell behind, 17-11 but had a furious comeback to get within one at 22-21. The Tigers allowed eight Spartan points off of serves (four aces allowed, four service errors) in the set, almost a third of MSU’s points.

After not recording a block in the first set, the Spartans had three in the first 12 points to take a 9-2 lead early, and forced a Hoover timeout at 12-4. The Tigers were then able to score seven of the next 11 to pull within six at 18-12, but Michigan State scored the next two, prompting a Hoover timeout. The Tigers again narrowed the deficit to 21-15, but were unable to get any closer as the Spartans took the set, 25-16. The Tigers hit -.036 in the set, as the Spartans has five blocks.

Michigan State ran out to an early lead in the third set, scoring five of the first six points, and taking an 11-6 lead, prompting a Hoover timeout. The Tigers responded with an 11-4 run, taking an 18-17 lead after a back-row kill from Patzin. The Spartans responded with a timeout, sending them on 7-1 run off four Megan Schatzle kills, giving them a commanding, 23-18 lead. The Spartans sealed the match when a Tanya Mirutenko service sailed long.