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Sports | Volleyball 1000

VOLLEYBALL

Tight-knit sisters bring winning equation to MSU

Jeff Kanan
September 9, 2009

For the MSU volleyball team, defense starts with a capital K. That’s because the Spartans defense is anchored in part by the sister duo of Allyson and Mandi Karaba, who were born about 10 months apart and have helped lead the way to a 6-0 start for MSU. Allyson, a junior libero, was named the tournament MVP for this past weekend’s Cleveland State Invitational, which the Spartans won by winning all three of their games.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

Freeman offers to play anywhere for team's sake

Cash Kruth
September 9, 2009

Cara Freeman will play anywhere for the MSU women’s soccer team. The junior played forward in high school, is now playing outside midfielder for MSU and even mentioned playing in net for head coach Tom Saxton — an offer she said he wasn’t exactly thrilled about. “I just look at it as if we win as a team; I don’t really look at what I do individually,” Freeman said.

FOOTBALL

Traditional game day cheer to be phased out

Cash Kruth
September 9, 2009

For the first time in more than three decades, “Hockey Cheer” is gone from the Spartan Marching Band’s song sheet. Traditionally a fixture in its pregame show and on third downs during football games, the band did not play the cheer during this past week’s pregame show, but it did play it sparingly in the game.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

Standout freshman Stander looks to make impact on field

Cash Kruth
September 9, 2009

When MSU women’s soccer assistant coach Tammy Farnum was asked earlier this summer which incoming freshman had the potential to burst onto the MSU sports scene like All-American sophomore forward Laura Heyboer did in 2008, she listed three names. One of those was Olivia Stander, a freshman forward with an impressive sports résumé out of Grosse Pointe High School.

SOCCER

Brothers' chemistry goes long way

Alex DiFilippo
September 8, 2009

There are only a handful of differences between Domenic and Mark Barone. Mark has long hair compared to Domenic’s short hair. Mark is left-footed while Domenic is right-footed. And Domenic was born exactly two minutes before Mark.

FOOTBALL

Dantonio turns focus to touted Chips offense

Chris Vannini
September 8, 2009

After a season opener that went mostly according to plan, the MSU football team is preparing for a much tougher opponent in Central Michigan this week. The Chippewas, coming off a 19-6 loss at Arizona, are expected to be plenty motivated against an in-state rival.

SPORTS

MSU to play in tournament overseas

Cash Kruth
September 7, 2009

The MSU men’s golf team will take part in what head coach Sam Puryear called a “life-altering experience” beginning Tuesday, when they begin competition in the 27th annual Topy Cup in Tokyo.

FOOTBALL

Freshmen running backs see first carries of career

Chris Vannini
September 5, 2009

Caulton Ray had never taken a handoff in a college game before, so he was understandably nervous. “The adrenaline was pumping but as soon as I got on the sidelines and the Star Spangled banner came on, I felt good,” he said. “I was a little nervous but after I got the ball a few times I felt very good.”

SPORTS

Women's soccer ties Santa Clara

Cash Kruth
September 4, 2009

Senior forward Lauren Hill scored late in the second half, but Santa Barbara’s Erin Ortega answered minutes later as the MSU women’s soccer team tied Santa Clara, 1-1, Thursday night at Santa Clara.

FOOTBALL

Arms race

Matt Bishop
September 3, 2009

Even as the MSU football team begins its 2009 campaign Saturday, its quarterback situation still is as much up in the air as it was Jan. 2, the day following the team’s Capital One Bowl loss to Georgia — the final game in the career of Brian Hoyer.