EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State volleyball is set to host an unofficial B1G/ACC Challenge this weekend when Duke and North Carolina arrive in East Lansing. The Spartans will first face-off against Duke on Friday, Sept. 8 at 7:00 p.m. before meeting North Carolina on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 1:00 p.m. Both matches will be played inside the Breslin Student Events Center.
Michigan State Athletics has several promotions happening during this weekend's match-ups. Friday night's match against Duke is the Student Block Party, with students receiving a free student section t-shirt (while supplies last). It's also Camper Reunion Night for those who attended a Michigan State volleyball camp over the summer.
Sunday's match against North Carolina is the Grow Your Game match as MSU aims to empower youth through sports. The first 100 kids (8th grade and under) through the gates will receive a free Spartan puzzle. By collecting all puzzle pieces around the concourse, kids will be invited to take a photo on court post-match.
It's also alumni weekend for the Spartans, who are set to host countless program alumni including: Cheryl Barrea, Kristine (Bailey) Heidger, Susan (Coscarelly) Gallogly, Stephanie (Knopp) Marshall, Shantelle Schmidt, Dana Cooke, Mary Jo Hardy, Erin (Hartley) Buchanan, Dawn (Andrews) Chura, Mary Jane (Williams) Ferris, Karen Keener, Amy Rauch, Kayleen (Cook) Grand, Cheryl Histed, Heidi Musser, Rebecka (Poljan) Williams, Meredith Norris, Chris (Jacobs) DeJarlais.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
With several construction projects on campus this fall, Spartan athletics is asking fans to allow extra time to arrive at the Breslin Center. $5 parking is available at Lot 63 and Ramp 7. Handicapped parking is available in Lot 126 ($5 paid upon entrance).
Gilbert Pavilion and the Northeast Kalamazoo gates will open one hour prior to match time.
Duke is 4-2 to open the 2023 season, defeating then No. 18 Creighton (3-2), Loyola Maryland (3-1), West Virginia (3-2) and Elon (3-0). Jolene Nagel is in her 25th season as head coach of the Blue Devils and is 9th among active DI coaches in career wins with 687 entering this weekend.
Sophomore outside Kerry Keefe leads the Blue Devils in kills with 83 while hitting .360. Michigan transfer middle blocker Jess Robinson has posted a .429 attack percentage through six matches, ranking No. 43 in DI. Gracie Johnson was an All-America honorable mention at outside last season, but is hitting just .081 through six matches.
Cornell transfer Emma Worthington leads the team in assists with 193. Jolene Nagel has ties to Cornell following a head coaching stint there from 1988-1992 (Four seasons).
Lizzie Fleming leads the Blue Devils in blocks this season with 17, followed by Robinson's 16. Madison Bryant returns at libero to lead the team in digs after suffering a season-ending injury in 2022 after six games.
Duke returned its Top 5 in kills and Top 2 in blocks while adding Robinson (120 blocks in 2022). Robinson was also No. 3 in DI for attacking percentage in 2022 (.438).
North Carolina is 4-1 to open the season, defeating Pacific, Arizona, West Virginia and Loyola (Maryland). The Tar Heels dropped a 3-1 match to UC Davis at the Cactus Classic. Mike Schall is in his first season as head coach, previously serving as an assistant on the staff from 2018-2022.
UNC ranks No. 31 nationally in service aces per set at 2.10, led by eight from Mabrey Shaffmaster.
Charlotte transfer Emani' Foster (former teammate of MSU's Amani McArthur) leads the Tar Heels in kills with 67 hitting .249, followed by Shaffmaster with 64 hitting .180 for UNC. Sadie Swift leads the team with 21 blocks (1.05/s) while Maddy May is the team leader in digs (77, 3.85/s).
Setters Maria Miggins and Zoe Behrendt ran the offense in a 6-2 last weekend. Anita Babic played just one set against Loyola (Maryland).
UNC will face Michigan on Friday night prior to arriving in East LansingLibero Alyssa Bert returns after ranking second on the team in digs last season. Freshman Veronica Sierzant has taken over the setting duties for the Orange. Laila Smith tied for the team-high in blocks last weekend (4) after transferring from Alabama.
SERIES HISTORY
Duke
- Michigan State leads, 3-2
- Duke took its second match of the all-time series in 2022, defeating the Spartans in five sets, 3-2. Michigan State came back from a 2-0 deficit to force a fifth set. Maradith O'Gorman had 14 kills and 13 digs for MSU in the match.
North Carolina
- Michigan State leads, 5-3
- The Tar Heels swept Michigan State in 2022, 3-0, in Chapel Hill. MSU had previously won three straight over UNC. Evie Doezema had 13 kills against North Carolina last season.
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Michigan State Athletics has several promotions happening during this weekend's match-ups. Friday night's match against Duke is the Student Block Party, with students receiving a free student section t-shirt (while supplies last). It's also Camper Reunion Night for those who attended a Michigan State volleyball camp over the summer.
Sunday's match against North Carolina is the Grow Your Game match as MSU aims to empower youth through sports. The first 100 kids (8th grade and under) through the gates will receive a free Spartan puzzle. By collecting all puzzle pieces around the concourse, kids will be invited to take a photo on court post-match.
It's also alumni weekend for the Spartans, who are set to host countless program alumni including: Cheryl Barrea, Kristine (Bailey) Heidger, Susan (Coscarelly) Gallogly, Stephanie (Knopp) Marshall, Shantelle Schmidt, Dana Cooke, Mary Jo Hardy, Erin (Hartley) Buchanan, Dawn (Andrews) Chura, Mary Jane (Williams) Ferris, Karen Keener, Amy Rauch, Kayleen (Cook) Grand, Cheryl Histed, Heidi Musser, Rebecka (Poljan) Williams, Meredith Norris, Chris (Jacobs) DeJarlais.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
With several construction projects on campus this fall, Spartan athletics is asking fans to allow extra time to arrive at the Breslin Center. $5 parking is available at Lot 63 and Ramp 7. Handicapped parking is available in Lot 126 ($5 paid upon entrance).
Gilbert Pavilion and the Northeast Kalamazoo gates will open one hour prior to match time.
ABOUT DUKE
Duke is 4-2 to open the 2023 season, defeating then No. 18 Creighton (3-2), Loyola Maryland (3-1), West Virginia (3-2) and Elon (3-0). Jolene Nagel is in her 25th season as head coach of the Blue Devils and is 9th among active DI coaches in career wins with 687 entering this weekend.
Sophomore outside Kerry Keefe leads the Blue Devils in kills with 83 while hitting .360. Michigan transfer middle blocker Jess Robinson has posted a .429 attack percentage through six matches, ranking No. 43 in DI. Gracie Johnson was an All-America honorable mention at outside last season, but is hitting just .081 through six matches.
Cornell transfer Emma Worthington leads the team in assists with 193. Jolene Nagel has ties to Cornell following a head coaching stint there from 1988-1992 (Four seasons).
Lizzie Fleming leads the Blue Devils in blocks this season with 17, followed by Robinson's 16. Madison Bryant returns at libero to lead the team in digs after suffering a season-ending injury in 2022 after six games.
Duke returned its Top 5 in kills and Top 2 in blocks while adding Robinson (120 blocks in 2022). Robinson was also No. 3 in DI for attacking percentage in 2022 (.438).
ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina is 4-1 to open the season, defeating Pacific, Arizona, West Virginia and Loyola (Maryland). The Tar Heels dropped a 3-1 match to UC Davis at the Cactus Classic. Mike Schall is in his first season as head coach, previously serving as an assistant on the staff from 2018-2022.
UNC ranks No. 31 nationally in service aces per set at 2.10, led by eight from Mabrey Shaffmaster.
Charlotte transfer Emani' Foster (former teammate of MSU's Amani McArthur) leads the Tar Heels in kills with 67 hitting .249, followed by Shaffmaster with 64 hitting .180 for UNC. Sadie Swift leads the team with 21 blocks (1.05/s) while Maddy May is the team leader in digs (77, 3.85/s).
Setters Maria Miggins and Zoe Behrendt ran the offense in a 6-2 last weekend. Anita Babic played just one set against Loyola (Maryland).
UNC will face Michigan on Friday night prior to arriving in East LansingLibero Alyssa Bert returns after ranking second on the team in digs last season. Freshman Veronica Sierzant has taken over the setting duties for the Orange. Laila Smith tied for the team-high in blocks last weekend (4) after transferring from Alabama.
SERIES HISTORY
Duke- Michigan State leads, 3-2
- Duke took its second match of the all-time series in 2022, defeating the Spartans in five sets, 3-2. Michigan State came back from a 2-0 deficit to force a fifth set. Maradith O'Gorman had 14 kills and 13 digs for MSU in the match.
North Carolina
- Michigan State leads, 5-3
- The Tar Heels swept Michigan State in 2022, 3-0, in Chapel Hill. MSU had previously won three straight over UNC. Evie Doezema had 13 kills against North Carolina last season.
Volleyball to Host Duke, North Carolina - Michigan State University Athletics
Volleyball to Host Duke, North Carolina
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