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Sports | 1000

VOLLEYBALL

Hartley wins spot on AVCA Mideast Region team

Dan Woike
December 6, 2001

Although her Spartan volleyball career ended Saturday night, senior outside hitter Erin Hartley is still receiving reminders about her great senior campaign. Hartley was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Mideast Region team Wednesday. Hartley is one of 10 Big Ten players on the 12-person roster. By earning a spot on one of the eight regional teams, Hartley, along with the other 95 regional-team members, is eligible for a place on the AVCA All-America team, which will be announced Dec.

SPORTS

Junior College National Champ stepping up for U

Aaron Johnson
December 6, 2001

At the beginning of the MSU wrestling team’s season, all eyes turned to freshman Nick Simmons, the grappler who never lost in his high school career.But after two non-scoring tournaments and a matchup against Eastern Michigan, the freshman will likely be redshirted, leading the team to rely on another newcomer to collegiate competition - junior Rashad Evans.After redshirting last year, the team has high hopes for Evans who will wrestle this year in the 174-pound division.“Mentally, he’s very tough,” head coach Tom Minkel said.

ICE HOCKEY

Swistak earns Olympic torch nod

James Jahnke
December 6, 2001

Joining the likes of athletic heroes Muhammad Ali, Willie Mays and Steve Young, MSU hockey player Steve Swistak will be one of 11,500 Olympic torchbearers carrying the flame across the country en route to February’s Winter Games in Salt Lake City.Swistak, a 19-year-old redshirt freshman, will run with the torch for one-fifth of a mile near his hometown of West Bloomfield on Jan.

BASKETBALL

Ishbia upgraded from walk-on to active

Justin A. Rice
December 6, 2001

The holidays came a little early for senior guard Mat Ishbia this year.The 5-foot-10, 175-pound walk-on’s status shifted just before the season when men’s head basketball coach Tom Izzo gave him a scholarship.Ishbia said he didn’t see it coming.“It was a great honor,” Ishbia said.

FOOTBALL

Recruits hyped about bowl, watch postseason practice

Justin A. Rice
December 6, 2001

A trip to the Dec. 31 Silicon Valley Football Classic in San Jose, Calif., may cost MSU hundreds of thousands of dollars, but the return on that investment could be the signing of some highly sought after recruits. Recruits are allowed to watch the team’s practice for a bowl game and see the team play on national TV, said Bill Kurelic, a recruiting expert from Midwest Recruiting.

BASKETBALL

Saving the Streak

Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak and Cal Ripken’s 2,632 consecutive games played are recognized as two of the most famous streaks in all of sports.

FOOTBALL

Bowl packages available now

Eric Lacy
December 5, 2001

MSU fans can pick from full and land-only four-night packages for the Dec. 31 matchup with No. 19 Fresno State in the Silicon Valley Football Classic. Both packages, through the Alumni Association’s Official MSU Bowl Tour, provide lodging from Dec.

SPORTS

Spartans could improve to 7-1 with win today

Aaron Johnson
December 5, 2001

The MSU women’s basketball team hits Breslin Center floor for the first time in more than two weeks tonight.After winning four of five games on the road, the Spartans (6-1) look to continue their early season success against Oakland (2-2) at 7 p.m.

BASKETBALL

Fiercest Foe

Paul Day
December 5, 2001

MSU has a lot in common with No. 7 Arizona, the team that poses the most imminent threat to ending the Spartans’ record home winning streak.The game, at 2 p.m.

SPORTS

Young Spartan squad surprises coaches, wins 2 close games

Aaron Johnson
December 4, 2001

With fewer than 12 seconds left and a one-point differential between the two opposing teams, sophomore forward Julie Pagel stepped to the free-throw line. It’s a setup Pagel is familiar with, after seeing it in the last two MSU women’s basketball games. In the first instance, Wednesday against Detroit, her two free throws gave MSU the 62-61 win. In the second, Sunday against Marquette, she didn’t win the game for the Spartans, missing both shots, but Pagel’s free throws set up a situation that ultimately gave the team a cushion point in its 65-63 win. “I wish I could have made them but, then again, that miss led to (junior center Jennifer Callier’s) O-board so I can’t take anything away,” she said.

VOLLEYBALL

Team looks ahead

Dan Woike
December 4, 2001

Madison, Wis. - The concept seems to be pretty cut and dry in an NCAA Tournament game - either win and keep playing or pack your bags. But for the Spartan volleyball team, things aren’t quite as simple. Instead of dwelling on what went wrong in a 3-0 loss to the No.

SPORTS

Who rocked, blew in 2001

So this was 2001, huh? With only one more week of classes and less than a month to 2002, it’s time to remember the highs and lows of MSU athletics this past year. Topping this year’s chart with gold stars: Ryan Miller - Because the junior goaltender won the second Hobey Baker award in MSU history, following in the footsteps of his cousin Kip Miller.

SPORTS

Spartans ground Golden Eagles

Aaron Johnson
December 3, 2001

Grand Rapids - For the second game in a row, the MSU women’s basketball team found itself at the foul line with little time left on the clock and a basket needed. And once again, the team pulled out a win as the Spartans topped Marquette 65-63 on Sunday at the Women’s College Basketball Showcase at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. The Spartans kept the game close, putting pressure on the Golden Eagle offense. As a result, MSU held Marquette’s leading scorers, guard Kristi Johnson and forward Rachel Klug, to two combined points in the first half. “They’re really good post players and I’m not going to take anything away from them,” sophomore forward Julie Pagel said. Guard Kelly Schwerman kept the Golden Eagles in the game, posting seven points in the half, including a three-point shot with a foul that put the Golden Eagles ahead by three with fewer than five minutes left in the half. MSU junior forward Syreeta Bromfield spread 14 points over the half, leading the Spartans and freshman guard Kristin Haynie provided two five-point bursts in the half, leading to a 29-27 Spartan lead at the half. “I’m kind of like a leader on the team,” said Bromfield, who finished with a game-high 26 points.