Kalamazoo - Western Michigan scheduled the MSU volleyball team as its first opponent in the Western Michigan University Invitational so the Spartans wouldn’t have time to prepare.
The plan backfired, as the No. 12 Spartans improved their season record to 4-0 with wins of 30-21, 30-27 and 30-28.
But Western, which is arguably the Spartans’ easiest opponent so far this season, gave them one of their hardest matches.
“We didn’t play with any fire,” head coach Chuck Erbe said.
“One, we had a completely different lineup and two, it’s really hard to come back with fire after that South Carolina match.
“It wasn’t a sterling match, but I’m just happy to get the ‘W,’” Erbe said.
Freshman middle Megan Wallin, who is a replacement for injured Spartans Jenny Rood and Sara Villwock, made her presence known from the get-go.
“Megan played really well,” Erbe said. “She showed some real mental toughness especially starting the match with six straight serving points.
MSU jumped out to a 7-0 lead in game one thanks to four Wallin kills. Western pulled to within three, 19-16, but never got any closer en route to a 30-21 Spartan win.
For the first time all season, the Spartans had more service aces than service errors, finishing with a 6-to-3 margin in game one.
No team took an early command in game two. The Spartans held a 6-5 lead, but found themselves trailing for the better part of the game. MSU regained the lead at 17-16 when sophomore outside hitter Kim Schram painted the sideline with a mammoth kill.
Following Schram’s kill, the Spartans never trailed the rest of game two. The Spartans won game two, 30-27, but the Broncos made a run near the end of the game to take the momentum into their locker room.
Game three was neck and neck all the way. The Spartans held a 16-15 lead, but after Western Michigan put up a run, it looked like it would be the last MSU lead of game three.
However, with their backs against the wall trailing 28-24, the Spartans used their defense to win the last six points to close out game three 30-28.
Sophomore outside hitter Michelle Kopka started the run with a huge block solo. It was followed by back-to-back block assists by two seniors, middle Angela Morley and outside hitter Kyla Smith.
“We didn’t respect them enough,” Smith said. “Being down 28-24, it was a big wake-up call for us to start playing better now.”
With two matches tomorrow, junior setter Nikki Colson agrees the Spartans have some adjustments to do.
“A win is a win, but I’m kind of disappointed we didn’t come out and play our system like we talked about all week.” Colson said.
“But after tonight, we know we have to come out tomorrow with more fire, more enthusiasm and more heart.”
