MSU women's basketball coach Joanne P. McCallie would probably agree that the best way to start a season is with two victories over powerful teams, a tournament championship and a senior clutching tournament MVP honors.

During the weekend, MSU hosted the Spartan Classic Tournament, defeating Davidson College, 74-68, on Saturday, then winning the championship game on Sunday against Temple, 78-40.

"I think it's very important for us to have that fighter attitude," McCallie said. "I think the caliber of this tournament is very strong and that it's important that we're taking on very good teams - teams we respect and at the same time teams we need to get after to get towards our goal."

Along with the championship title, the Spartans secured honors in the MVP category, with senior forward Julie Pagel taking home the trophy. Pagel had 22 points and eight rebounds in the tournament and said it was rewarding to lead her young team in a winning direction .

"This is a huge step that we really needed to work on," Pagel said. "We wanted to get the momentum going into the season and get the girls ready to see what it's like to play in a tournament with good, high-caliber teams."

While Pagel took MVP honors, sophomore forward Liz Shimek and freshman guard Rene Haynes also were voted to the All-Tournament Team. Shimek had 24 points and 13 rebounds on the weekend, while Haynes was MSU's leading scorer with 30 points .

McCallie said she was proud to see her lone senior, Pagel, earn MVP honors and to see the young players step up early in the season, as well.

"I think Julie was practically our Harlem Globetrotter out there," McCallie said. "We have a lot of character and personality and balance and we have to continue to stay in the moment and focus on what we need to do together.

"We definitely have very good leadership and connectedness among the team."

Junior guard Kristin Haynie also was a key player for the Spartans, adding 16 points and five steals. Haynie said she was proud to see her teammates display hard work and talent throughout the tournament .

"It means a lot," Haynie said. "It means we have great all-around team players. In every position everyone can fill shoes and everyone can step up on any given night."

Haynie and Pagel both were named to the All-Tournament team in 2001 when the Spartans beat to UCLA in the championship game, 67-63. MSU controls a 25-7 record at the Spartan Classic, and is now 20-12 in season openers.

Pagel said team energy exploded after the weekend sweep and looks to stay on a winning streak for the entire season.

"Losing is not an option this year," Pagel said. "We want to get this program to a place where it needs to be - NCAA eligible and championship winning."