After losing their final match on Saturday, MSU's volleyball players wiped the tears from their eyes and began to form a circle. Each player raised one fist in the air while leaning against each other. One of the players began to speak as they slowly rocked back and forth.
It was a fitting end to one of the most difficult seasons in the team's history.
The Spartans (12-18 overall, 5-15 Big Ten) dropped their final two matches of the season this weekend at Jension Field House against No. 2 Penn State (29-2, 20-0) and No. 19 Ohio State (21-8, 14-6).
Usually after a loss, the players would look forward to practice on Monday, but this time the story ended differently.
Parents and coaches cried as four seniors waved goodbye to their MSU volleyball careers.
"This is 13 of the best people I have ever come across," senior libero Marley Bellwood said.
"It just all came together. It's bittersweet because we are a much better team than our record shows. You can't take that back but we fought hard every game and that's something we're proud of."
The team has endured many obstacles this season and managed to stick together.
In a preseason poll, the Spartans were predicted to finish ninth in the Big Ten and not even make it to the NCAA Tournament.
With the odds against her team, MSU head coach Cathy George said she had to cover her ears and see things for herself.
"A lot of people told me about this team. But I learned so much about each individual and most of the things I heard about the team weren't right," she said.
"It was great to have an open mind, to come in and learn who each one of these players were. This team did really stay tough through a lot of adversity."
After being swept by Penn State on Friday, the Spartans were hoping to end the season with a win against the Buckeyes on Saturday.
But early on, it looked like MSU would take more of the same.
The Spartans were down two sets to none.
Brooke Langston, a senior middle blocker, was posted at the net. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and sweat dripped down her face. It was her last match as a Spartan and she didn't want go out like before.
In the third set, Langston got a kill to get the team's momentum going.
They were able to maintain that spark and capture the third set, 31-29.
In the fourth set, the teams battled point for point. The Spartans' defense picked up and sophomore outside hitter Ashley Schatzle got a kill to tie the score at 14. MSU pulled ahead and won that set, 30-26.
The fifth set was the Spartans' last chance to win their final match of the season. But their earlier momentum wouldn't be enough and they let another five-game match slip away, dropping the final set, 15-9.
"It's one of the best games of the season," said senior setter Mickey Davis. "The way we fought in this game is the way our program is going to be from now on."
After the match, Langston walked around the court with her parents, taking pictures with her teammates.
She was smiling, but she was crying, too.
"This has been the best year of my life and has made me love volleyball again," Langston said.
