Questions about the Spartan volleyball team’s inexperience, consistency and experimental scoring methods overshadowed the only certainty in Jenison Field House Saturday - the winning team would be wearing a Michigan State jersey.
The Green and White exhibition game split the team and gave it an opportunity to re- adjust to game conditions and the new scoring system.
For the first time, MSU played timed games and used the new rally rules the NCAA passed in March. In rally scoring, teams no longer have to serve to score a point but can also score from side outs.
And the difference showed in the inflated scores - the White team took both games with two different rosters, winning 81-61 and 73-59.
“Every point, you have to be focused,” said junior middle blocker Angela Morley. “Rally score makes it tough.
“It makes it more demanding on everyone to play well.”
With every serve a possible point, senior outside hitter Erin Hartley said she knows the new scoring will change how the Spartan team plays.
“You have to focus on the little things like passing and serving,” she said. “You can’t make little errors over and over again, because it’s always a point for the other team.”
Hartley, the only Spartan selected to the Preseason All-Big Ten team, recorded 19 kills for the White team, beat only by teammate Morley’s 25 kills.
Hartley, Morley and the rest of the White team also benefited from sophomore setter Nikki Colson’s 86 assists in the two-game match. Freshman setter Mickey Davis had 61 assists for the losing Green team.
Colson said improved passing and excellent execution at the net helped the White team win.
“We had been working a lot on our passing in practice,” she said. “Tonight it really showed.”
Middle hitter Jenny Rood was one of Colson’s favorite targets in the second game. Rood used her quickness for both the Green and White team on her way to 18 kills.
Colson and Rood are two of the many young players who head coach Chuck Erbe expects to contribute to the team’s success this season. The roster includes four true freshmen and three redshirt freshmen.
But Erbe said the team’s age cannot be used as an excuse, although he knows it will take time for the team to reach its potential. Success depends on how well the younger players, like freshman outside hitter Michelle Kopka, who had 15 kills and 13 digs overall Saturday, step into key roles come the regular season, Erbe said.
“Collectively, as a group, we have a great future in front of us,” he said. “How soon that’s going to come together I can’t tell you. I hope it’s sooner than later.
“We just have to be patient with them.”
