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Sports | Volleyball

VOLLEYBALL

Seniors spark team workouts

Megan Homanick
August 13, 2003

Summer is usually a time to relax, but not in the case of the MSU volleyball team. Usually preseason is the time teams start practicing together, getting a feel for what they will be able to accomplish during the upcoming season. But with four seniors and 11 returning letterwinners, senior co-captain libero Emmy Miller and senior co-captain setter Nikki Colson wanted to get a head start on their competition.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball team sweeps George Mason

Chris Mackinder
December 9, 2002

South Bend, Ind. - The first round of the NCAA tournament was all about fun for the MSU volleyball team.And after Saturday's 30-28, 30-13, 30-21 sweep of George Mason University, the smiles were plastered on every Spartan's face."We're just so happy because we've been given a new beginning and a fresh start," junior setter Nikki Colson said.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball squad off to Sweet 16

Chris Mackinder
December 9, 2002

South Bend, Ind. - The MSU volleyball team didn't think it would be this easy, but it is heading to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1996.The Spartans (21-11) dominated the Fighting Irish (24-8) in the Joyce Center on Sunday afternoon, winning in three games 30-28, 30-20 and 30-23.

VOLLEYBALL

How 'Sweet' it is for volleyball team

Chris Mackinder
December 9, 2002

South Bend, Ind. - The MSU volleyball team didn't think it would be this easy, but it's heading to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1996.The Spartans (21-11) dominated the Fighting Irish (24-8) in the Joyce Center Sunday afternoon, winning in three games 30-28, 30-20 and 30-23.

VOLLEYBALL

Defense key in first-round matchup

Chris Mackinder
December 6, 2002

It's the most exciting time of the year for the MSU volleyball team, and it has nothing to do with the fact that there is one week left in the fall semester. The Spartans (19-11) are gearing up for a run at the volleyball national championship beginning with a contest against George Mason (22-7) at 4 p.m.

VOLLEYBALL

Digging for a title

Chris Mackinder
December 6, 2002

When Angela Morley woke up Thursday morning, she realized study time for finals was almost gone. The senior middle and the rest of the MSU volleyball team left Thursday night for South Bend, Ind., for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament. The Spartan volleyball team is in the same boat as nearly all other MSU students.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans excited about draw in tourney

Chris Mackinder
December 4, 2002

The MSU volleyball team (19-11) anxiously awaited its fate for the NCAA Tournament and let out a thunderous roar Sunday night when they saw the bracket they were placed in. The Spartans will travel to South Bend, Ind., where they will match up against George Mason (22-7) in the first round at 4 p.m.

VOLLEYBALL

Team splits at home, earns NCAA tourney bid

Chris Mackinder
December 2, 2002

Another weekend of Spartan volleyball brought another split, but this time it earned the team a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans will face George Mason in the first round of the tournament in South Bend, Ind. MSU (19-11 overall, 11-9 Big Ten) picked up a thrilling five-game win over Northwestern (17-15, 10-10) on Friday night in a match that seesawed back and forth from the first serve to the final kill.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans hit road for 2 Big Ten games

Chris Mackinder
November 22, 2002

The Spartans are expected to pick up their first two-win weekend since Oct. 25-26, the last time they played Purdue and Illinois, but they know the task won't be an easy one. MSU has struggled on the road all season long, especially in the Big Ten.

VOLLEYBALL

Last 4 matches will be vital for Spartans' postseason chances

Chris Mackinder
November 20, 2002

To receive consideration for the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans arguably need to win three of their next four contests. And for the MSU volleyball team, making it to the postseason for the ninth consecutive year won't be the easiest of tasks if this season has been a guide. MSU (16-10 overall, 8-8 Big Ten) sits in a tie for seventh place in the conference with Indiana.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans split 2 at Jenison

Chris Mackinder
November 18, 2002

The MSU volleyball team did everything in its power to pull out two victories this weekend. Unfortunately for the Spartans, they fell just short. MSU easily defeated Iowa Friday night in three games, 30-20, 30-26 and 30-17, but before the weekend, the Spartans knew Saturday night was going to be the real test. On Saturday, No.

VOLLEYBALL

SPORTS UPDATE: Volleyball team conquers Hawkeyes

Chris Mackinder
November 16, 2002

The Spartans didn't play perfect volleyball Friday night, but it was good enough to beat the Hawkeyes in three games.The MSU volleyball team (16-9 overall, 8-7 Big Ten) took charge early and often in the 30-20, 30-26 and 30-17 win in front of 2,156 strong at Jenison Field House."I felt possessed to play well tonight," junior setter Nikki Colson said.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans look to bounce back at home

Chris Mackinder
November 15, 2002

This weekend is all about rebounding for the MSU volleyball team. Following disappointing losses against Indiana and Ohio State a week ago, the Spartans (15-9 overall, 7-7 Big Ten) know they need an extremely strong showing at home this weekend to finish the season strong.

VOLLEYBALL

Junior transfer redshirted for season, postseason in jeopardy

Chris Mackinder
November 13, 2002

Junior outside hitter Sara Villwock, who has been sidelined with a foot injury since the end of September, will be given a medical redshirt for this season. MSU head coach Chuck Erbe said he thought long and hard about the decision, making it within the last week. "She's making good progress, but for her to be back in time to really play a substantiative role for our team - she's not going to be in any position to do that," Erbe said. "She's still not cleared to go full-bore and jump and be in practice.

VOLLEYBALL

Weekend trip puts damper on teams chances

Chris Mackinder
November 11, 2002

Columbus, Ohio - It wasn’t the prettiest of weekends, and for the MSU volleyball team, it was downright ugly. The Spartans dropped both of its matches this weekend, losing in three games to Indiana on Friday night, and then falling in four games to Ohio State on Saturday night. Going into the weekend, the Spartans were hoping to pick up a pair of wins escalating to the forefront of the conference.

VOLLEYBALL

SPORTS UPDATE: Buckeyes pummel netters

Chris Mackinder
November 9, 2002

Columbus, Ohio - The Spartans arguably had their worst performance of the season Saturday night.MSU committed hit a dismal .164, committed, 11 service errors, and allowed Ohio State to tally 12 service aces en route to a 25-30, 31-29, 17-30 and 18-30 drubbing in St.