EAST LANSING- Michigan State travels to Rec Hall for a late-season Big Ten matchup with No. 24 Penn State on Friday night. With only a handful of matches remaining in conference play, both teams are hoping to finish the season on a positive note while solidifying their postseason hopes. 

The Spartans come into the match gaining traction with the potency of their young, but explosive offensive core. Freshman outside hitter Karolina Staniszewska has been a consistent go-to in the scoring column, showcasing the versatility on the pin along with a steady contribution both offensively with kills and defensively with severe receive delivery. 

Linked with her along the front row has been middle blocker Bianca Mumcular. Mumulcar has evolved into a powerful force at the net, providing awesome blocks and quick tempo connections in the middle of the net that keeps opposing defenses honest. Rounding out the trio is opposite Danyle Courtley, who has shown the athleticism and high contact swing when MSU has needed it most. 

Penn State has shown to be one of the more difficult places to play in the Big Ten, and the Nittany Lions’ ranking reflects their performance over the course of the season on both sides of the ball. Their ability to block disciplined and play offensively in transition efficiently will force MSU to remain aggressive and minimize unforced errors. For the Spartans, controlling first contact and finding balance offensively will be essential to remain competitive against a ranked opponent on the road. 

This late November matchup presents Michigan State with the opportunity to secure a signature win, see how they perform in a hostile environment, and continue to build on the base of a continually-improving program. 

First set begins at 7 p.m. EST on Friday, Nov. 21, with the live stream on Big Ten Plus.