Having a 5-0 mark isn't new for the MSU volleyball team.
Last season, MSU found itself undefeated and playing Wright State for the chance to sweep the Western Michigan Invitational. A win would have sent them into the third week of the season 6-0 with tons of momentum.
Boom.
The Spartans overlooked the small Ohio school, losing the match in five games and leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of the coaches and players.
Match No. 6 is coming up this weekend and the Spartans don't want a letdown like last season. Of course, No. 10 Georgia Tech seems to be a bigger road block than Wright State.
The Spartans have a chance to follow last year's script this season. They'd prefer not to, but this weekend competition will be more than stiff.
"There will be four nationally-ranked teams playing in one gym," head coach Chuck Erbe said.
"Everyone is going to see four of the best teams in the country."
No. 17 MSU will battle No. 13 Santa Clara and No. 5 Nebraska in addition to playing No. 10 Georgia Tech.
This is a huge difference from last season when MSU traveled to South Florida to play one ranked team, No. 24 Kansas State. The other schools were Georgia Tech and South Florida.
One similarity from last year's team is blocking. Through 16 games and five matches in 2002, the Spartans had recorded 42 stuffs.
Through five matches this season, which has spanned over 17 games, MSU has 43 blocks. That blocking factor has been one constant this season that has helped the Spartans stay undefeated.
A huge difference in the seasons is junior outside hitter Sara Villwock.
The former Colorado transfer joined the Spartans before last season and was lighting up the court. She was averaging nearly four kills per game and was the Spartans' main offensive weapon.
Not this season.
Villwock has not been able to fully recover from a foot injury. The result has been a Villwock-less starting lineup.
But even with the inconsistent lineup, the Spartan attack has been consistent.
Last season, MSU hit over .400 twice in the first five matches, but they also had a dismal .204 outing.
This season, four matches have ended with hitting percentages between .317 and .347. Only a .260 attacking performance against Tennessee was not.
The Spartans hope their consistency will pay off and the numbers will continue to differ from last season.
MSU favors winning another tournament championship and a 6-0 record over a 5-1 one.
