Big Ten Winning Streak Ends in East Lansing

Sunday, October 12

East Lansing, Mich.

1 p.m.

Indiana University

14-2,5-1Big Ten

Michigan State

14-2,4-2Big Ten

Indiana

Michigan St.

10/12/2025 3:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Watch: Highlights

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Every road contest in the Big Ten is difficult. And the 20th-ranked Indiana volleyball team (14-2, 5-1 B1G), led by a host of freshmen, found that out on Sunday (Oct. 12) afternoon. Michigan State (14-2, 4-2) pulled away late in each set for a comfortable sweep (25-21, 25-19, 25-18) at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. It brought IU's seven-match winning streak to a close and was the first conference defeat of the year.

Sunday's contest was the final in a long four-match road stretch. During that run, IU picked up wins over No. 17 USC, No. 24 UCLA and Michigan. But the Hoosiers couldn't close out the trip in style. Michigan State's defense held IU's potent to a season-low .067 hitting percentage. IU committed 28 attacking errors and were blocked nine times.

Michigan State's offense came fast and heavy in set one to set the tone at the Breslin Center. On the afternoon, the Spartans hit .256. They needed just four kills to finish off the third frame as IU's attacking errors piled up at a quick pace. Freshman outside hitter Bianca Mumcular led the way with eight kills.

Senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum and sophomore middle blocker Ella Boersema each had a team-high eight kills for the Hoosiers. Freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager was pulled late with just seven kills. She was replaced by freshman outside hitter Charlotte Vinson, who made her collegiate debut.

IU's undefeated start to conference play ends after five wins in its first five tries. Head coach Steve Aird's group will have little time to focus on this one ahead of a Thursday contest at Gainbridge Fieldhouse against Purdue. Following the contest in Indianapolis, IU will play eight of its final 13 games at Wilkinson Hall.

How it Happened
• The Hoosiers closed the deficit in set one to just one point on multiple occasions but couldn't figure out a way to close it out. From there, Michigan State controlled the tempo of the match. IU led for most of the second set but allowed the Spartans to end on an 8-0 run on Sunday.

Top Hoosier Performers
#27 Boersema, Ella
8 kills, .462 hitting percentage, 2 blocks

#13 Tatum, Avry
8 kills, 2 blocks

Notes to Know
• Sophomore middle blocker Ella Boersema put up eight kills on a .462 hitting percentage in Sunday's contest. It's the fifth match this season where she's had at least eight kills in a single match. On the year, the young middle blocker is enjoying a .374 hitting percentage with 71 kills.

• The Hoosiers' five-match winning streak over Michigan State ended with defeat on Sunday. Before today, IU hadn't lost to the side from East Lansing since the 2019 campaign. Against both Michigan schools, it brought to a close a 10-match winning streak under head coach Steve Aird.