EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State won the opening set Thursday night but could not hold off No. 13 Purdue, which answered by taking the next three sets 25-19, 25-20 and 25-21 at the Breslin Center after dropping the first 25-23.
The defeat was the Spartans’ fifth in a row, a run that has come almost entirely against ranked opponents. Michigan State is now 17-8, with a 7-8 mark in conference play. Purdue moves to 17-7 and 10-5 in the league.
The Boilermakers were simply more efficient on offense. They hit .383 as a team and held Michigan State to .245, while winning the kill battle 64-56 and the dig count 56-47. The Spartans did their damage at the net and the service line, out-blocking Purdue 8-6 and serving five aces to two.
Middle blocker Zora Hardison, a senior, led Michigan State with 14 kills and shared the team lead in blocks with four, matching junior Breccan Scheck. Senior outside hitter Taylah Holdem notched a double-double, her first this season, with 13 kills and 11 digs, both season highs. Sophomore Bianca Mumcular added a season-best 12 kills, freshman Madi Andrews had 10 kills and two aces, and setter Malayah Long handed out 45 assists.
Michigan State took the first set on an Andrews ace after rallying from an early deficit, but Purdue controlled the middle sets. The fourth stayed tight into the 20s before the Boilermakers closed it with three straight points.
The schedule does not ease up. Michigan State plays at No. 19 Minnesota on Saturday at 8 p.m., then hosts rival Michigan at the Breslin Center on Tuesday, Nov. 17, before the Big Ten Tournament opens Nov. 20 in Fishers, Indiana.
From the HERE City State Desk.
Section: More Lansing MI sports news
Filed under: Lansing MI Sports News
