A couple months from now, last weekend might be considered the moment when the MSU volleyball team proved themselves a national powerhouse.
Prior to Friday, their 11-1 preseason record wasn’t good enough to top a historically competitive Big Ten. MSU is ranked No. 15 in the last American Volleyball Coaches Association coaches poll, below five other Big Ten teams, including Penn State.
After an 11-9 Big Ten record last season, the pressure was on MSU to prove themselves as a player in the Big Ten conference.
So far, so good.
Over the weekend, MSU (13-1 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) completed a major upset win over No. 1 volleyball powerhouse Penn State on Friday in five thrilling sets (25-23, 26-24, 19-25, 19-25, 15-9). MSU followed that with a 3-0 sweep over No. 13 Ohio State on Sunday (27-25, 25-23, 25-23).
“It was tremendous to start at Penn State with a victory,” women’s volleyball head coach Cathy George said during a phone interview Sunday.
George believes MSU’s Big Ten opening weekend was one of the toughest in the conference.
“To come away with a win is just a great accomplishment for the team,” she said.
Beating Penn State on their own court is one of the biggest program wins in recent memory. One could argue it’s the biggest regular season win in program history.
Penn State is one of NCAA volleyball’s most dominant teams. The Nittany Lions captured national championships in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, and were national championship runner-up in 2012.
The victory over No. 1 Penn State (11-2, 1-1) was MSU’s first over a No. 1 team — ever. Once it’s taken into account MSU had lost their previous four Big Ten openers — and previous 18 matches against Penn State — the victory stands even taller.
To sweep No. 13 Ohio State two days later is icing on the cake.
The wins will not only silence some skepticism over how good the Spartans are, but possibly establish MSU as a legitimate contender.
George said the team is taking the season one game at a time and acknowledged the challenge of facing ranked opponents.
“Every time you go out there, there’s an opponent who presents different challenges,” she said. “It gives us the opportunity to gain experience and learn in those scenarios.”
The Spartans stated early that a Final Four appearance was expected this season.
After last weekend, that goal seems more vivid than ever.
MSU didn’t shrink from the spotlight Friday night. Instead, they hogged the spotlight.
After all, two weekend road victories against Big Ten competition is no easy feat.
“It will bode well for us in the season,” George said. “Anytime you can get a road win, you need to enjoy that and get back to work.”
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