The team has a .347 hitting percentage and 3.28 blocks per game, followed by Wisconsin, with 3.11 blocks per game.
MSU is also second only to No. 5 Minnesota in kills with 17.89 kills and 16.33 assists per game.
Spikers lead Big Ten in hits, blocks
Strong individual contributions came from senior outside hitter Kim Schram, who had the most Big Ten serving aces with 1.00 per game and had the third highest number of kills with an average of 5.89 per game. She was named tournament MVP.
Freshman setter Maggie Griffin had the most assists with an average of 15 per game and junior libero Marley Bellwood had the third highest number of digs with 5.33 per game.
The statistics from this weekend show the Spartans have a good start on contending in the Big Ten, junior middle and co-captain Megan Wallin said.
Senior outside hitter and defensive specialist Diana Steplyk was surprised with the team's statistics compared with other Big Ten schools after this past weekend.
"I think that maybe the statistics show our hard work and that we've really come to play," Steplyk said.
No sitting allowed
While the players on some opposing teams take breaks on the sidelines during a game, the Spartans won't be caught sitting on the bench.
Whether handing statistic clipboards to other players or having them do push-ups, head coach Chuck Erbe's plan keeps the players active and engaged throughout the entire game.
This approach is common in the Big Ten Conference, Erbe said.
"When you sit, there is a tendency for your muscles to tighten," Erbe said. "When you stand, you are just more involved in the match."
Erbe has players move around on the sidelines, including light jogging, sit-ups, and push-ups to keep warm.
"They are getting the level of physical activity that the players on the floor are getting," Erbe said.
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"If you're sitting, you're not warmed up, and you're not ready to enter the match."
After winning every game in the invitational last weekend, Erbe reported no injuries.
"We came out of the weekend healthy," Erbe said.
"We are at 100 percent, which is great at this time of the season because injuries do play a significant role in what you are able to do," Erbe said.
The team heads to Wichita, Kan. this weekend for a three-game tournament against Arkansas, Wichita State and Washington.
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