Upset of the Week: #19 Michigan State Wins Five-Setter Over #5 Minnesota

Upset of the Week: #19 Michigan State Wins Five-Setter Over #5 Minnesota

No. 19 Michigan State pulled off an incredible upset of No. 5 Minnesota in five sets.

Oct 17, 2016 by Megan Kaplon
Upset of the Week: #19 Michigan State Wins Five-Setter Over #5 Minnesota
Talk about incredible mental strength. No. 5 Minnesota handed No. 19 Michigan State a 25-12 smashing in the first set of a match on October 15, but it was the Spartans who emerged at the end of five sets with the victory.

We felt strongly about our game plan, and despite being maybe a step slow or behind in the first set, we shored up a couple of small things and were able to get right back in the match.
In set one, Minnesota hit .483 to Michigan State's .059, but the scores in sets two and three were 25-20 and 25-21, both in favor of Michigan State, which was playing at home in Jenison Field House. The Spartans held a nine-point lead midway through set two. In set three, they had to come back from a 7-2 deficit.

Michigan State faltered in the fourth, with Minnesota's Sarah Wilhite leading the Gophers to a 25-18 victory and pushing the match to five sets.

The Spartans led 8-6 at the side-switch and managed to stay ahead long enough to secure a 15-13 victory.

"Our message to the team was to stay the course," Michigan State head coach Cathy George said. "We felt strongly about our game plan, and despite being maybe a step slow or behind in the first set, we shored up a couple of small things and were able to get right back in the match."

Spartans middle Alyssa Garvelink contributed 18 kills and 10 blocks, the junior's first double-double. As a team, MSU hit a season-high mark of 15 blocks. Libero Abby Monson dug up a season-high 21 digs, and setter Rachel Minarick finished one assist shy of her career best with 54.

No. 19 Michigan State def. No. 5 Minnesota 3-2 (12-25, 25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 15-13)