The No. 17 MSU volleyball team went into the U.S. Bank/Arby's Classic, facing three higher-ranked teams, looking for answers to where they stand nationally in the college volleyball ranks.
The Spartans now know.
After what could be dubbed a disappointing weekend, where they won only one match, the Spartans (6-2) found hope when recalling their pre-tournament thoughts - a possible three-loss weekend.
Sunday's victory saved face.
"One win makes this a successful weekend," head coach Chuck Erbe said. "I would have liked to have won two, but one is what we were trying to get."
The Spartans beat No. 13 Santa Clara (5-4) but were swept by No. 10 Georgia Tech (7-0) and No. 5 Nebraska (8-0). Nebraska and Georgia Tech played on Sunday evening, with the winner taking the U.S. Bank/Arby's Classic title.
"I'm very pleased with the kind of weekend we had," Erbe said. "I expected it to be tough and it was."
In the first match of the tournament, MSU was shut down and hit away by Georgia Tech (.455 to .218) who looked far superior to the Spartans. The Yellow Jackets beat MSU in three straight games, 30-20, 30-16 and 30-25.
"They played almost flawless volleyball," Erbe said. "They're well-coached, executed at a very high level and were the better team on the court."
On Saturday, MSU took on Nebraska in what was its toughest game of the season. Nebraska volleyball - equivalent to Miami (Fla.) football in the college volleyball world - is a possible NCAA title contender every season
The Cornhuskers easily took care of the Spartans, 30-20, 30-20 and 30-24.
"Give credit to them - they play well," Erbe said. "But I felt we were nervous, anxious and tense."
MSU had one player with double digit kills (junior outside hitter Kim Schram with 10) and one player who hit over .300 (junior outside hitter Sara Villwock with a .500 attacking percentage).
"Kim had a big weekend for us," Erbe said. "Sara played against Nebraska and Santa Clara and at times played well."
Villwock is still working on coming back from injury she suffered last season. She is making strides week by week and should start to see more time, Erbe said.
MSU bested Santa Clara in five games in the final game of the tournament, 30-26, 26-30, 26-30, 30-21 and 15-11.
Of the three games, this was the one MSU knew they had to win - more so after losing the first two.
"This was another demanding match," Erbe said. "But we showed some resiliency, coming back to win game four and then dominate game five."
The Spartans face San Diego in the first round of the American Volleyball Classic in Washington D.C. on Sept. 20 at 1 p.m.
