The MSU volleyball team (3-0) leads the Big Ten in both hitting percentage and blocking after a 3-0 weekend at the MSU/Coca-Cola Classic Championship. The team has a .347 hitting percentage and 3.28 blocks per game, followed by Wisconsin, with 3.11 blocks per game.
As far as special teams units go, MSU's cast is star-studded. Senior running back DeAndra Cobb is a constant threat to take a kickoff to the house.
The MSU cross country teams began their seasons at the Jeff Drenth Memorial meet at Central Michigan over the weekend. The men placed five runners in the top 10, beginning with senior Steve Sherer in second, freshman Stephan Shay in third and freshman Dustin Voss in fourth. On the women's side, freshman Kelly Higgins lead the Spartans team by finishing third overall in her first collegiate race. The Spartans men's and women's continue the action at 2 p.m.
The MSU volleyball team opened its season by capturing the Coca-Cola/MSU Classic Championship at Jenison Field House this past weekend. The team went 3-0, defeating Ohio University, St.
After a victorious two-game weekend, the MSU women's soccer team gears up to meet Detroit Mercy 4 p.m.
The MSU women's field hockey team spent its holiday weekend in Virginia improving its regular season record to 4-0 with wins over Virginia and James Madison. The Spartans squared off against Virginia (2-1) on Sunday, beating the locals, 6-2.
The MSU defense allowed only four field goals in Saturday's 19-14 loss to Rutgers, but gave up 415 total yards.
Senior forward John Minagawa-Webster had one goal and an assist to lead MSU to a 3-0 win over Western Illinois to capture the MSU/Radisson Fall Soccer Classic championship Sunday at Old College Field. "We feel like we're moving in the right direction," MSU head coach Joe Baum said.
After leading the MSU women's field hockey team to a 2-0 start at the Inaugural Champions Challenge Tournament last weekend, Spartans goalkeeper Christina Kirkaldy was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.
The MSU volleyball team is hungry to make some kills on home court heading into this weekend's season opener - the Coca-Cola/MSU Classic at Jenison Field House. "We're ready for any competition you throw at us," junior setter Mickey Davis said.
Since John L. Smith decided not to name a starting quarterback this week - leaving MSU fans in the dark until Saturday - I'm going to take my best shot at reading his mind. Embattled senior Damon Dowdell will be under center Saturday at Rutgers Stadium, taking the first snap for the Spartans' offense this season. Why is Dowdell embattled?
Illinois State approved the use of the instant replay system in its Sept. 11 game at Minnesota, the school announced Tuesday. The game is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN Regional Television and because of recent approval from the nonconference team, the replay tool will be part of the game. "I'm kind of excited about being involved in a game experimenting with the instant replay rule," Illinois State coach Denver Johnson said in a written statement. "It could add a new element to the game, and I'll be looking to the officiating crew before the game to help me with the process.
Former U.S. National Team member Ty Sevin will join the MSU men's track and field team as an assistant coach to Spartan throwers, jumpers and multi-event competitors. Before coming to MSU, Sevin was a volunteer assistant coach at Texas A&M, coaching the pole vaulters from 1999-2001 and then again this past season.
Sporting a cumulative grade-point average of 3.31, the MSU women's gymnastics team ranks among the top 30 schools in the nation, finishing second to Eastern Michigan in the state. MSU ranked third in the Big Ten, trailing only to Iowa and Minnesota, with team GPA's of 3.32. Six Spartans were named to the 2004 NACGC/W All-America Team, which honors gymnasts with a 3.5 GPA or higher.
Lansing Lugnuts first baseman Brian Dopirak has been named the Midwest League's Most Valuable Player.
After losing four All-Big Ten players including star goaltender Mike Robinson to graduation after last season, it would be logical to assume the MSU men's soccer team would be in a rebuilding phase. Not so fast, according to head coach Joe Baum. "It was a tremendous loss," Baum said.
MSU sophomore wrestler Andy Simmons, last year's Outstanding Wrestler for the Spartans, returns to the mat on Nov.
When his good friend Tyrell Dortch moved from running back to defense in the off-season, senior safety Jason Harmon knew he had to help - whether Dortch liked it or not. "After workouts, he'd have me in the indoor field backpedalling, doing hip drills and stuff like that," said Dortch, who will start at the bandit position Saturday against Rutgers.
MSU junior goalkeeper Christina Kirkaldy was named the Big Ten's defensive player of the week in field hockey after leading her team to a pair of victories over the weekend. In the first game of the Champions' Challenge tournament against Delaware, Kirkaldy posted three saves in a 1-0 win to pick up her first shutout of the season.
There isn't much competition before the first game of the year, but after losing key players from last season, many positions - particularly that of the setter - have been in high demand, MSU volleyball head coach Chuck Erbe said. "The bottom line is putting the right people on the floor to bring about victories," Erbe said. Erbe announced this week that freshman setter Maggie Griffin will start instead of junior setter Mickey Davis.