With every big win reads a crucial performance in the box score, and with MSU volleyball’s memorable weekend in the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans are no exception.
With the fall semester coming to a close, the State News sports desk gathered around its very small round table to discuss the season’s top performers and come up with the best of the best of the best in MSU sports in the fall. Arguments were made, deriding laughter was heard, tears were shed, but we finally compiled the official State News Best in Fall Sports 2012.
In 17 years of coaching, MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant has never experienced something like she has this season.
The beginning of a new chapter always warrants an adjustment period. Whether it’s a new job, moving to a new city or, in the case of MSU hockey (4-8-2 overall, 3-6-1 CCHA), bringing in 12 new players, getting into a groove takes time.
For MSU volleyball head coach Cathy George, this season has been a remarkable one for her already impressive résumé.
Nearly two weeks ago, Tom Izzo tried to shake things up, but fate wouldn’t let him.
For the better part of its season, the MSU volleyball team has been playing a role most teams despise being in: the underdog role.
When Ohio State (7-4-3 overall, 6-2-2-1 CCHA) traveled to East Lansing this weekend for an away series, the players brought with them six periods of consistent, strong hockey.
The MSU gymnastics team looks to get ready for the season as the Green squad defeated the White squad 115.65 to 115.50 at the Green and White Scrimmage Sunday afternoon.
The MSU football team has accepted an invitation to play in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl in Tempe, Ariz. on Dec. 29, the MSU athletics department announced Sunday afternoon.
The chips were stacked against the Spartans on Saturday, as they squared off against the defending national champion UCLA at their home court.
After a stressful opening month to the season that began with the No. 13 MSU men’s basketball team (6-2) traveling across the pond to Germany, flying to Atlanta four days later to face the then No. 7 team in the country, then playing a stretch of four games in one week, the Spartans needed a laugher, and Saturday they got one.
After Saturday night’s 3-1 loss to Ohio State (7-4-3 overall, 6-2-2-1 CCHA), MSU’s Matt Grassi noted the Spartans only made two or three mistakes that night.
The game was over and Milwaukee wanted to leave the floor, but glass lying across the court stood in their path, leaving the Panthers didn’t know what to do. A light bulb in Breslin Center appeared to have shattered in fitting fashion: the Spartans had shot the lights out and Milwaukee didn’t have an answer.
For just the second time in school history, the MSU women’s basketball team is 7-0 after demolishing Milwaukee (3-4) 81-50 on Saturday evening.
It was a total team effort as the MSU women’s basketball team improved to 7-0 for only the second time in program history with a 81-50 win over Milwaukee (3-3) on Saturday.
Earlier in the week, the No. 13 MSU basketball team was paid a visit by a familiar face.
After nearly a week of sluggish and generally ineffective play, the MSU men’s basketball team needed a strong showing to get its swagger back. Playing against Nicholls State on Saturday at Breslin Center, an energetic performance including having four players in double-figures gave the team that chance.
Tom Anastos said he didn’t want to compare Friday night’s game to a heavyweight boxing match, but it’s difficult to find a better analogy to describe the MSU hockey team’s (4-7-2 overall, 3-5-1 CCHA) 1-0 loss to Ohio State. For 60 minutes, both teams clawed, fought and battled at a mostly even keel, exchanging punch after punch. Almost 58 minutes into the game, the Buckeyes threw a punch that knocked the Spartans out of the match, as Ohio State’s Ryan Dzingel picked up a rebound off MSU freshman goaltender Jake Hildebrand to put away the only score of the night. “It was a style of game that we prepared for,” Anastos, the second-year MSU head coach, said.
It wasn’t easy, but the MSU volleyball team now is heading to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year after beating San Diego in five hard fought sets (25-19, 23-25, 25-20, 18-25, 15-11).