Senior outside hitter Lauren Wicinski celebrates after the White team scores a point during the Green and White match, Aug. 24, at Jenison Field House. The White team won the scrimmage, 2-1. Danyelle Morrow/The State News
After a season that saw a 12-0 start, a 25-10 overall record and an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 berth, expectations for the 2013-14 MSU women’s volleyball team are high.
So high, in fact, that team co-captain junior libero Kori Moster has her eyes on the ultimate prize this year.
“Our goal isn’t to make it to the Sweet 16 again — our goal is to make it to a national championship,” Moster said.
Last season was a successful and historic season for the Spartans. They posted their highest win total since 1996. Head coach Cathy George became the 34th active coach in the NCAA to reach 500 career wins. Their Big Ten record (11-9, sixth in conference standings) was the best since 2003.
The Spartans, ranked No. 14 in the 2013 AVCA pre-season coaches poll, are using lessons learned from last season to improve on last year’s finish.
The Spartans return all but one starter from last year’s team and enter the season with a recruiting class ranked seventh nationally.
Ranked fifth in the Big Ten preseason coaches poll, head coach Cathy George said the ranking helps put last year into perspective.
“It keeps in mind for us that we have to work every single day and that nothing is a given,” George said. “So we just have to keep coming to work, grind it out.”
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The return of senior OH Lauren Wicinski, Moster, senior MB Alexis Mathews and senior setter Kristen Kelsay will be key for the team. Wicinski and Moster earned ABCA All-America honors last year. Wicinski was a unanimous choice on the All-Big Ten Team and set the school record for service aces in a season with 81. Moster was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and was also and Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection.
Though Wicinski is proud of their tournament run last year, she said the team is striving for more.
“That’s our goal this season, just to do more, end up better in the Big Ten, and obviously, that’s always a goal,” Wicinski said. “It’s great that we got that experience of making it to the Sweet Sixteen and making it far in the tournament. And I think we’re going to carry that into the season.”
George added that the Sweet 16 appearance has really energized the team and put their focus into place. The next step is aiming higher and working harder.
“We’re just working and working and working to put ourselves into Position to be very successful,” George said.
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