MSU volleyball hangs on for five-set win over Maryland, improves to 9-1 at home

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – Michigan State volleyball was pushed to the brink on Sunday afternoon, but hung on for a 15-13 win in the fifth set to defeat Maryland and improve to 9-1 at home this season.

Junior outside hitter Karolina Staniszewska led MSU with 19 kills and freshman outside hitter Bianca Mumcular chipped in 13.

MSU won the first set 25-18 before Maryland answered back with a 25-14 victory in set two.

The Spartans retook the lead with a 25-20 win in the third set and then raced out to an 8-1 lead in the fourth set. However, they watched their lead slip away as Maryland came storming back to force a decisive fifth set with a 25-21 win.

The Terrapins pushed the Spartans again in the fifth, but clinging to a 14-13 lead, the Spartans got in system off serve receive and Malayah Long set up Mumcular for the game-winning kill.

With the win, MSU improves to 15-3 (5-3 Big Ten). Maryland falls to 8-10 (1-7).

“We know that we didn’t play the best today but that’s how you separate from other teams,” said Staniszewska. “When you don’t play your best you still win the games, and I think we did a great job of digging the balls and transitioning out of it.”

“I’m proud of the way they continued to respond after that second set and after being up in the fourth set, even in that fifth set, 14-13, we haven’t been in that moment yet,” added head coach Kristen Kelsay. “I told them their resiliency and their courage, honestly, in that moment to side out and win that point. We will use that later. I don’t know when later, but we’re going to use that.”

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