There's an intense camaraderie between MSU teams that holds even 2,200 miles away. Both volleyball and men's soccer traveled to Los Angeles last week for conference matchups against the Bruins. On Oct. 2, the men’s soccer team was in the stands for volleyball’s win at UCLA; Kelsay and her team returned the favor the next day at the men's soccer's loss.        

Kelsay views the bond between teams as something special that isn't commonplace at other schools.

“It’s so special to be a Spartan,” Kelsay said. “When we are having success and we are able to be there for each other and support each other through the hard times too, regardless of a win or a loss.”

MSU volleyball has won four of its last five games, including an upset win over No. 18 Penn State last week. They continue conference play this weekend against No. 13 Oregon at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Iowa at 1 p.m. Sunday. 

Both soccer programs have seen an array of success this season at the same time. Both teams sit in the top 20; the women’s team is ranked No. 2, while the men are ranked No. 19. 

This joint success is rare for MSU. The last time both teams were ranked nationally at the same time was 2023.

Since head coach Jeff Hosler took over the women’s team in 2021, he's won two Big Ten regular-season championships and made MSU a perennial national contender. The Spartans sit atop the Big Ten at 9-1-2 and return to action at Purdue on Sunday.

Hosler shares the same familial sentiment as Kelsay.

“Now in my sixth season with the athletic department, I think that is one of the greatest separators of Michigan State athletics: the people and the relationships,” Hosler said. “That’s what makes Jenison (Fieldhouse) really special: the interaction of our athletes and coaches over there. The high fives, the ‘congratulations’ as you walk by, the ‘go get the next one’ in the tough moments. I really do think that is super unique; all three of us are off to an incredible start this fall. The care and the support are real, and I think that matters a lot.”

The men’s soccer team returned to the national rankings for the first time since 2019 where they ranked No. 7 in the preseason poll after the Spartans' national semifinal run in 2018. After two straight seasons under .500 in 2024 and 2025, MSU is vying for another NCAA Tournament appearance. The Spartans are third in the Big Ten with a 7-2-1 record so far in their 2026 campaign and face No. 6 Maryland on the road Friday.

Winter sports are already kicking off, too. Hockey and the men's and women's basketball teams all have championship expectations this year. No. 3-ranked hockey drops the puck on its season at 7:30 p.m. Friday vs. Northern Michigan. Men's basketball, with head coach Tom Izzo in his 32nd season, has high expectations with a highly ranked recruiting class and strong veteran leadership. Junior guard Jeremy Fears Jr. was named the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year last week. Men's basketball will finish its preseason with two exhibitions against UConn and Marquette before its regular season tips off Nov. 2 against Quinnipiac.

Women's hoops is set to begin on Nov. 3 against Valparaiso. This is head coach Robyn Fralick's fourth year leading the team. Women's basketball has a 67-28 record under Fralick and has been to three straight NCAA Tournaments.