Halfway through the Big Ten schedule, Spartan volleyball head coach Chuck Erbe isn’t too pleased with where his team is.

“I really figured we’d be one of the top three teams in the Big Ten,” Erbe said, “But now we’re part of that logjam in the middle.”

So, instead of waiting for some of the Spartans’ (11-6, 4-6 Big Ten) inconsistencies to work themselves out, Erbe decided to take action before Saturday’s match with No. 10 Ohio State.

Freshman outside hitter Michelle Kopka started for junior outside hitter Kyla Smith at the second leftside hitter position; freshman outside hitter, and now defensive specialist convert, Diana Steplyk was in for junior defensive specialist Emily Engel; and sophomore defensive specialist Emmy Miller took sophomore defensive specialist Stephanie Knopp’s starting spot.

“For the most part the changes worked out well,” Erbe said.

Steplyk and Miller helped spark the Spartans’ defense with athletic digs and sharp passes, and stabilized the offense with stellar ball control.

And Kopka provided an offensive lift in games one and two versus the Buckeyes, before error-ridden games three and four slowed her night.

Erbe said he would re-evaluate the Kopka-Smith situation before tonight’s matchup with the Michigan Wolverines (10-7, 6-4).

“I still have to take a look at the position,” he said. “It may be the type of situation where I go back and forth (between the two). If you are playing well, you stay on the court, and if you’re not performing you’re off the court.”

But both Steplyk and Miller, energized the Spartan, sophomore setter and co-captain Nikki Colson said.

“I thought Diana brought a great presence with her, and her intensity and energy level made the team’s level of play and emotions go up,” Colson said. “I think Emmy has tremendous athletic ability and played really disciplined.”

Erbe previously used Miller and Steplyk in spot situations, but neither had the opportunity to compete for an entire match.

The pair should get another full-game playing opportunity in today’s match, Erbe said.

“It gave me a lot more confidence knowing I’d be on the court to play, not to give someone a break or just play one play,” Miller said.