VOLLEYBALL
2001 Big Ten volleyball preview
In a conference as stocked with talent as the Big Ten, it’s hard to try and pick a clear favorite.
VOLLEYBALL
Knopps turns into major hitter for team
Surprises have surrounded sophomore outside hitter-turned-defensive specialist Stephanie Knopp all year.A pre-season chat with MSU head coach Chuck Erbe left Knopp thinking she had to improve if she wanted to play, she said.
VOLLEYBALL
Hartley earns Big Ten player of the week nod
Things are good in the world of MSU volleyball. The Spartans (7-0) are off to their best start in 12 years, and one of their star players is the reigning Big Ten Volleyball Player of the Week. Senior outside hitter Erin Hartley earned the honor with an MVP effort in the Coca-Cola Spartan Invitational, which the Spartans won this weekend.
VOLLEYBALL
Coca-Cola tournament wins give Spartans best start since 1989
Senior outside hitter Erin Hartley is no stranger to personal accolades.She can now add most valuable player of the Coca-Cola Spartan Invitational to her list of individual accomplishments, after she led the Spartans (7-0) to another undefeated weekend and tournament title at Jenison Field House.MSU hasn’t started the season 7-0 since 1989.Spartan head coach Chuck Erbe said Hartley is playing at a level he has never witnessed.“Erin Hartley played the best weekend of volleyball I have ever seen,” he said.
VOLLEYBALL
Erbe: respect for opponenets key in tournament
Listening to Spartan volleyball players and coaches talk, you’d think they were rehearsing an Aretha Franklin song. “R-E-S-P-E-C-T.” Head coach Chuck Erbe knows those seven letters are embedded in the minds of his players as they look to make it two tournament titles in a row at the Coca-Cola Spartan Invitational this weekend. “I’ve always told them the first rule of war is to respect your opponent,” Erbe said.
VOLLEYBALL
Kopka battles her nerves, plays big to win starting spot as freshman
On a team where experience is minimal and youth is abundant, Spartan volleyball head coach Chuck Erbe needs some of the youth to mature quickly. Freshman outside hitter Michelle Kopka - one of seven freshmen on the team - took steps in the right direction in Friday and Saturday’s MSU Volleyball Classic.
VOLLEYBALL
Smith, Colson, Hartley stand out for Spartans, create team balance
Good teams usually have one player it can turn to in pressure situations. Very good teams may have two.
VOLLEYBALL
MSU shines in Classic, finishes undefeated
The MSU volleyball team can check one goal off its to-do list after winning all four of its matches at this weekend’s MSU Volleyball Classic at Jenison Field House. “To win this tournament on our home court was a big goal of ours,” senior outside hitter Erin Hartley said. The Spartans defeated Auburn 3-1 and Dayton 3-1 on Friday and capped the tournament with 3-1 victories against Denver and Western Michigan on Saturday. “These early season victories will help the team become more sure of itself,” sophomore setter Nikki Colson said. “It’s an incredible confidence booster.
VOLLEYBALL
Womens volleyball claims championship trophy
Junior outside hitter Kyla Smith knew before Friday’s opening match of the MSU Volleyball Classic that she would have to take some pressure off senior outside hitter Erin Hartley.
VOLLEYBALL
MSU Classic opens season, young team shaking nerves in tourney
A bundle of nerves. Spartan volleyball coach Chuck Erbe knows his team will be battling its emotions as well as Auburn, Dayton, Denver and Western Michigan this weekend.
VOLLEYBALL
Sophomore status doesnt stop Colson as leader
On every team, every player has some responsibility. Some have more than others. In volleyball, the setter plays that lead roll. Spartan volleyball Coach Chuck Erbe describes the setter position as similar to other sports’ positions often mentioned in the same breath as leadership. “It’s like the quarterback in football and the point guard in basketball,” Erbe said.