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Sports | Volleyball 1000

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball upsets No. 7 Illinois

Jesse O'Brien
November 18, 2011

In what may prove to be one of the biggest wins of the season, the MSU volleyball team toppled No. 7 Illinois, 3-1, Friday at Jenison Field House. Led by the play of its three senior outside hitters, Michigan State (20-9 overall, 9-8 Big Ten) shocked the Fighting Illini and earned its first 20-win season since 2007. The victory is the second time that MSU has beaten the number seven team in the nation under head coach Cathy George, who is in her sixth year with the program.

BASKETBALL

Madison Williams out for season with ACL tear

Jesse O'Brien
November 16, 2011

The injury sustained by redshirt freshman center Madison Williams in Tuesday night’s MSU women’s basketball game against IPFW will be a costly one. After an MRI taken Wednesday, it was revealed that Williams tore her ACL in her left knee and will miss the remainder of the 2011-2012 season.

BASKETBALL

Women's basketball picks up 2nd NLI

Jesse O'Brien
November 16, 2011

The MSU women’s basketball team received a National Letter of Intent from Cass Tech guard Branndais Agee, head coach Suzy Merchant announced Wednesday. The 5-foot-11 guard from Detroit is a four-star recruit nationally ranked as the fifth best guard and 27th best overall player by ESPN’s Hoopgurlz. “She is one of the best defensive players in the country, which will allow her to be impactful from the minute she steps on campus,” Merchant said in a statement to the MSU athletics department. Agee and fellow incoming guard Mariah Harris give MSU the 19th ranked recruiting class in the country, according to Dan Olsen of Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.

FOOTBALL

Linthicum earns weekly tight end award

Michelle Martinelli
November 16, 2011

After his career game in the No. 12 Spartans’ 37-21 victory over Iowa, senior tight end Brian Linthicum was named the John Mackey Tight End of the Week on Wednesday. Against the Hawkeyes, Linthicum set a career high for receptions and receiving yards with five catches for 71 yards, and four of the five resulted in first downs for MSU.

BASKETBALL

Women's basketball squeaks past IPFW 62-56

Jesse O'Brien
November 15, 2011

In a game marked by physical play and inconsistent defense, the MSU women’s basketball team pulled out a 62-56 win against the IPFW Mastadons on Tuesday at Breslin Center. The Spartans (2-1 overall, 0-0 Big Ten) relied heavily on three-point shots early in their home opener, jumping out to a 14-6 lead on the strength of treys by senior guard Taylor Alton and guards Kiana Johnson and Porsche Poole. Senior forward Lykendra Johnson dominated the boards on the way to recording her 18th career double-double.

BASKETBALL

Football team close to securing place in conference championship

Michelle Martinelli
November 15, 2011

The No. 12 MSU football team (8-2 overall, 5-1 Big Ten) set out at the beginning of the season to play a 14-game season, and with two regular season games to go, the team’s goals are within reach. Because of the Spartans’ 37-21 victory over Iowa this weekend, they’re one step closer to their goals with a confidence boost from their second win on the road this season, head coach Mark Dantonio said at his weekly press conference Tuesday. “When you look at this football game, I thought it helped us control our own destiny,” he said.

SPORTS

Men's and women's golf pick up pair of recruits

Rebecca Ryan
November 15, 2011

MSU men’s and women’s golf each signed two golfers for the 2012-13 season last weekend. Kendall Allen from Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Gabby Yurik from Stoney Creek High School in Rochester, Mich., signed with women’s golf, and Sean Friel from Brother Rice High School in Rochester Hills, Mich., and Mitch Rutledge from Whitfield School in St.