The MSU volleyball team (4-0) won their fifth straight Spartan Invitational this weekend and did it without dropping a match to any of their opponents.

After sweeping Wichita State (4-2) on Thursday and South Florida (0-3) on Friday, the Spartans looked to earn their third consecutive sweep in three nights against Ball State.

The momentum from the previous two games carried over to game three.

Senior middle blocker Brooke Langston started the game off with a kill that set the tone for the rest of the contest. Senior setter Mickey Davis had a solid performance as well finishing the game with 49 assists and six defensive digs.

Coming into the second match, the Cardinals were in trouble. MSU head coach Cathy George said she thought the Spartans came out doing everything right.

Sophomore outside hitter Katie Johnson, who had a career high against Wichita State with 27 kills, opened the second match with four kills, giving the team a quick 4-0 lead. Johnson ended the night with 21 kills and with a .233 hitting percentage.

"We just really knew we had to take it to Ball State," Johnson said.

"They were a really scrappy team. We knew they were going to come out looking bigger - they wanted to win. We knew what we had to do and we were really well prepared for it."

Despite the effort, the Cardinals never recovered and they ended the game with an overall .111 hitting percentage.

Sophomore Angie Parrell gave a consistent performance with 19 assists and six digs.

George earned her first MSU invitational title and believed her team's level of play increased as the tournament went on.

"It was outstanding because I felt that the field was very talented here," George said.

"Wichita State was voted in the top 25. Ball State is always on top in the American Conference and South Florida is known as one of the powerhouses in their conference as well."

For some fans this may seem like déjá vu - the MSU volleyball team started last season off with a 5-0 start, but sophomore outside hitter Jessica Hohl assures fans that this year there's a new attitude.

"There is a general trust between the team and the coach and everyone feels that," Hohl said.

"We feel comfortable playing with each other and if you feel confident then you're going to win."

Hohl said this tournament was the team's chance to make a name for themselves.

"We really wanted to win this tournament tonight, because it's a new season and a new coach.

"We wanted to show everyone what we're made of," Hohl said.

Johnson, Davis and sophomore libero Nicole Colaluca received MVP honors for the tournament.

The Spartans will have a week off before hitting the road Sept. 9 for the Pizza Hut Jayhawk Invitational at University of Kansas.