MSU volleyball: No. 14 Spartans Earn 3-2 Upset of No. 3 MInnesota

No. 14 Michigan State battled back from a 25-12 loss in the opening set to take a five-set victory over No. 3 Minnesota on Saturday night at Jenison Field House. MSU won the second and third sets, then took a two-point win in the fifth and deciding frame to secure the victory (1-25, 25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 15-13).

Alyssa Garvelink had a a career-best with 18 kills and added a season-high 10 blocks finishing just hy of her career bests of 11 and recording her first career double-double. Rachel Minarick finished one assist shy of her career best with 54 helpers, adding six digs and three blocks, and Abby Monson was one shy of her career best with 21 digs, adding a pair of assists.

MSU hit just .201 on the match, recovering from a .059 hitting percentage in the opening set and .150 in the second, and held Minnesota to .268. MSU had its most blocks since last November by posting 15, while Minnesota is just the second Big Ten team to reach double-digits against the Spartans with 10. MSU also had eight service aces to five for the Gophers.

Sarah Wilhite had a double-double for Minnesota, with 20 kills and 19 digs.

MSU rebounded not only from a rough first set, but also a 3-0 setback on the road at No. 24 Illinois on Wednesday. Minnesota was coming off a three-set sweep of No. 1 Wisconsin in Madison on Wednesday, and falls to 14-3, 6-2 Big Ten. MSU is now 16-4 overall and improves to 5-3 in Conference play.

The Spartans return home for a Wednesday night match against Rutgers at Jenison Field House. The match will be televised live on Big Ten Network at 6 pm, and will be MSU's Breast Cancer Awareness match. Fans are encouraged to wear pink.