EAST LANSING- Fresh off of a solid performance at home on Tuesday night, Michigan State volleyball joins rival Michigan to embark on a trip down to North Carolina.
The Spartans will face a pair of strong ACC programs with an opportunity to gain a couple of quality non-conference wins early in the season in the B1G-ACC Challenge.
This is the third consecutive season that the Wolverines, Spartans, Blue Devils, and Tar Heels have competed against each other in this round-robin-style series.
The first matchup takes the Spartans into Durham to take on the Duke Blue Devils at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at Cameron Indoor Arena.
The Blue Devils, who sit at 4-5 on the year, are looking to even their record and shake off their sluggish start to the season. Even though the Blue Devils are off to a less-than-ideal start and MSU is favored to win on paper, they do possess a couple of key players the Spartans should watch out and prepare for.
Star middle blocker Rylie Kadel is 40th nationally in hitting percentage (.400), and All-ACC outside hitter Kerry Keefe leads her team in both kills per set (2.94) and points per set (3.53).
The Spartans are 3-3 against the Blue Devils since both programs squared off for the first time in 1997, so whoever takes the match Friday will have an edge in the all-time series.
Michigan State is hoping to avoid a third straight season that includes a loss to the Blue Devils, losing both in 2023 and 2022.
Michigan State will have an off day before heading down the road to Chapel Hill to take on the Tar Heels of North Carolina on Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Tar Heels have gotten off to a very solid start to the season, posting a 6-1 record so far in the 2024 campaign. Their one loss came to a very good South Carolina team that has received votes this season.
UNC ranks high nationally in a plethora of categories, including being 4th in the nation in both assists per set (13.74) and kills per set (14.61), and 5th in opponent hitting percentage (.118).
Not only is North Carolina statistically sound as a team, but they also have some key players Michigan State must plan for if they intend to steal one from the Tar Heels on their home floor.
Mabrey Shaffmaster, an All-ACC outside hitter, ranks 8th in the nation in aces per set, averaging just below one per set. She also leads her team in points per set and kills per set.
Star libero Maddy May averages 4.22 digs a set and leads a tough Tar Heel defense that will pose a tough task for the visiting Spartans.
Michigan State is 6-3 all-time against North Carolina, with the Spartans beating them 3-1 in their most recent matchup that took place last year at the Breslin Center. The teams first matched up in 1988, with the Tar Heels taking that one by a 3-1 score.
MSU got back on track in Tuesday’s 3-1 victory over Purdue-Fort Wayne, with four players recording double-doubles and both Taylah Holdem and Julia Bishop setting career highs in digs, with Holdem notching 16 and Bishop 18.
Michigan State, winners of two straight, hopes to continue their winning ways and give themselves a nice record to work with heading into conference play.
Their first matchup in conference play will be in Ann Arbor against the currently undefeated Wolverines a week from tomorrow Friday, September 27.
Both teams will have a week to practice and prepare for the big rivalry matchup after returning to Mitten from the trip down south.
The Wolverines play North Carolina at 7 p.m. on Friday, and matchup against the Blue Devils on Sunday night at 6:30.
