If the old adage "You're only as good as your last game" is true, then the Spartans look like one of the top teams in the Big Ten.
The only problem - they're not.
In each of the MSU volleyball team's two-match, nonconference weekends, the Spartans went on the road and swept both games. They defeated two quality opponents, then-No. 17 North Carolina and South Carolina, at the Carolina Classic. They also defeated then-No. 21 San Diego and American University at the American Volleyball Classic.
So far, MSU hasn't been able to duplicate those efforts in the Big Ten season.
The Spartans opened up the conference season with a five-game, heart-breaking loss to Penn State - a match that has proven to be the difference in where MSU stands in the conference.
After this past weekend, MSU sits in seventh place in the conference at 3-3. The Spartans are still kicking the race for the Big Ten title, however, as five of those teams are 4-2. Penn State leads the conference with a 5-1, record but just lost to Illinois on Friday night.
"So far, six matches into the Big Ten, it seems like we struggle the first night, take stock of ourselves and come out and play well the second night," head coach Chuck Erbe said.
If the Spartans are able to go on a little run and win consecutive matches in the next couple weeks, they could very well find themselves near, or at, the top of the conference.
But each season, there are ifs and buts. If the Spartans had beaten Penn State, then they would be in a better position. But they didn't.
The Spartans realize what they need to do to accomplish their goals this season and part of it is not worrying about what could be and dealing with what is. They know to win, they just need to go out and make something happen.
"There isn't a quick fix," setter Nikki Colson said. "We have to make the decision that we're going to win the game before we even step on the court."
Perfect attendance
Only two players have participated in all of the Spartans' 60 games. Senior middle Jenny Rood and fellow senior Colson have not missed anything, playing in all 16 of MSU's matches.
Junior outside hitter Kim Schram has played in all but one game, missing one in the opening match against Villanova.
Down two more
After starting at No. 25 to begin the season, MSU slowly crept up the polls. But the past two weeks have seen the Spartans going in reverse.
MSU peaked at No. 14, but has since dropped. Following the 1-1 weekend with a loss to Purdue and a win over Indiana, the Spartans fell from No. 16 to No. 18.
Colson closes in
Colson moved ever closer to claiming a record that everyone knew would eventually be hers.
Colson recorded 91 assists this past weekend, leaving her with 3,786 assists on her career. She is only 365 assists from the MSU record, which is held by Judy Doles, who played at MSU from 1985-88.
At her current pace, the co-captain is expected to break the record in approximately 28 games, which could be anywhere from five to 10 matches from now.
