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Sports | Volleyball

VOLLEYBALL

Sophomore shining for Spartans

She was only in fifth grade when she was sitting in the stands with her father, cheering and watching a volleyball game, when her dad turned to her and said, "Hey, do you want to play this sport?" As sophomore outside hitter Katie Johnson said, that's how she began to develop her love for volleyball.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans get first Big Ten victory of season

The MSU women's volleyball team finally earned a victory in the Big Ten season but it didn't come easily as they captured it on the road in a four-game match against Indiana University (7-6 overall, 1-1 Big Ten). The Spartans (8-4, 1-1) got off to a slow start, as the Hoosiers jumped out to an 18-11 lead in game one.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans look to stay perfect in Kansas

After their success at home, the MSU volleyball team will kick off its six-game road trip at the Jayhawk Invitational, where the Spartans will compete against nonconference foes Temple Virginia Commonwealth and host Kansas for the Invitational title MSU head coach Cathy George is calling this "international flavor weekend" and believes it's going to be one of MSU's toughest tests of the young season, as the Spartans (4-0) face a wide variety of talent. "We play Temple first, and Temple is a team that has a lot of Chinese players on it," George said.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans host weekend invite

After winning its season opener against Kent State, the MSU volleyball team is preparing to host the 10th annual Spartan Invitational, where Wichita State (2-1) will be its first opponent.

VOLLEYBALL

Defense big part of victories

It didn't take long for volleyball head coach Cathy George to get her first win at home - it came Saturday in a sweep against Kent State. But after this weekend, it'll be awhile before the Spartans come back to Jenison Field House.

VOLLEYBALL

Rensing replaces Erbe as volleyball coach

Assistant coach Daune Rensing has been named interim coach of the MSU volleyball program following last Thursday's announcement of head coach Chuck Erbe's retirement. "I have confidence that Daune Rensing and (assistant coach) Ed Tolentino can work with our student athletes during this transition period," MSU Athletics Director Ron Mason said in a written statement.

VOLLEYBALL

Team shut out in losses to end year

The MSU volleyball team closed its season with losses to No. 4 Penn State and No. 8 Ohio State this past weekend, as well as losing the chance for a possible NCAA Tournament bid for the first time in 10 years. "I knew finishing the season against Penn State and Ohio State was going to be a daunting challenge," head coach Chuck Erbe said.

VOLLEYBALL

'U' splits weekend against Purdue, Indiana

The MSU volleyball team garnered its first win on the road this past weekend against Indiana, and the Spartans fell to Purdue in a split weekend that left head coach Chuck Erbe with mixed feelings. It could've been worse, but it could have been better, he said. "It was a great opportunity to go 2-0, which would have put us into sixth place in the Big Ten," Erbe said.

VOLLEYBALL

Spikers finally record win

The MSU volleyball team was swept by Wisconsin on Friday before turning around Saturday and defeating Northwestern in three of four games. "We bent, but we didn't break," head coach Chuck Erbe said, referring to the fourth game on Saturday and the final game of the weekend.

VOLLEYBALL

Frosh setter already making impact at 'U'

Back in high school, MSU volleyball freshman setter Maggie Griffin was the girl who got pegged with the nickname "Jolly." As in, the Jolly Green Giant. At 6 foot, Griffin was easily the tallest girl in school, but she didn't mind the nickname - it was being tall that helped her play the game she loved so much. In her first season at MSU, Griffin already has proven her worth as a powerhouse on the court, despite being a rookie to college sports, head coach Chuck Erbe said. "She's a special player," Erbe said.

VOLLEYBALL

Team slips as season progresses

Something is bound to go wrong. That's about the only consistent thing the MSU volleyball team can count on right now. Players say the system has gone awry and the team's rhythm has been off.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans to face No. 24 Illinois

While the MSU football team battles the Fighting Illini at home this weekend, the MSU volleyball team (6-7 overall, 1-4 Big Ten) will have a showdown of its own 8 p.m.