VOLLEYBALL
MIDDAY UPDATE: Spartans head to championship round in volleyball tournament
Once the MSU women’s volleyball team shed its nervousness, the rest seemed easy. The No.
SPORTS
Expectations high for talented No. 18 Spartans
They’ve heard all the hype. They know the expectations. They’ve answered countless questions.
SPORTS
Michigan, Washington contest highlights conference play
No. 10 Michigan vs. No. 9 Washington In a game that pits two tough top-25 teams against each other, the U-M-Washington matchup seems to be the main event this weekend. U-M, which was 12th in the nation in total defense last season according to ESPN.com, returns a tough defensive line, along with linebacker Victor Hobson, who has a shot at defensive player of the year honors.
SOCCER
Mens, womens teams prepare to kick off season
After enjoying its winningest season since 1986, going 13-6-1 in 2001, the men’s soccer team is looking toward another tournament run. The Spartans advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year before losing to then-No.
SPORTS
Robersons fate decided by injury
Ypsilanti - If Eastern Michigan wide receiver Chris R. Roberson had things his way, during his senior season in high school, he would have had to make a decision whether to attend MSU or Illinois. But a week before his last year began at Harrison High School in Farmington Hills, he broke his ankle during a scrimmage - his aspirations to play Big Ten football were crushed. “When I got hurt, they really didn’t know, so they would still call,” Roberson said.
SPORTS
Back to its roots
The makeover is complete. Earlier this week, ground maintenance crew members rolled out a new paint machine, filled it with 250 gallons of white paint.
BASEBALL
Strike talks unresolved
As the clock continues to tick toward another Major League Baseball player’s strike, MSU athletes and coaches ponder the future of America’s pastime. “I’m not going to lie to you, I’d be very upset if they strike,” senior MSU infielder Charlie Braun said. “It won’t change my feelings on the sport of baseball, but it just shows me the owners and players aren’t very in tune with what baseball is all about.” “I won’t go to games next year if they do strike.” After five bargaining sessions Wednesday and three on Thursday, each side remained apart on the key issues: levels for a luxury tax and revenue sharing.
VOLLEYBALL
Spartans ready for tourney
The wait is finally over for the MSU women’s volleyball team. Tonight, the team will hit the court against an opponent for the first match in the 2002-2003 campaign when they take on Georgetown in the eighth annual Coca-Cola/MSU Volleyball Classic at Jenison Field House.
SPORTS
Ro, Skinny rip teams, laces off the ol pigskin pastime
Like youngsters on Ritalin, Death Ro and McSkinny are ready for the 2002 college football season. The Spartans take the field Saturday against Eastern Michigan, and there’s a wretched stench blowing in from Ann Arbor, so that means it’s time for your favorite pigskin prognosticators to strap on the pads and put it through the uprights. We might not know what we’re talking about half the time, but we have no qualms about making complete fools of ourselves. So without further ado, here are our predictions for this weekend’s gridiron madness. Death Ro on No.
SPORTS
HARDY: Tailbacks prep to carry the rock, rock out
True freshman tailback David Richard knows he has big shoes to fill following the early departure of 6-1, 249-pound Granite-sized Mack truck T.J.
SPORTS
Heisman watch
It’s only the second week of the college football season, but the Heisman Trophy watch is well under way.
SPORTS
8-game homestand gives seniors final peace
Home is something familiar. Home is something you look forward to after a long day at work. And home is also where 72,000 Spartan football fans will gather every weekend through the end of September. It’s that time of year again.
SPORTS
Swimmer doesnt stray far from friends, family
Any MSU freshman can tell you about the pressures of making the transition from high school to college, but Nick Mrozowski doesn’t seem to have a problem with it. “I think I made the right choice,” Mrozowski said.
SPORTS
Henry returns to gridiron after missing a season
When Ivory Miller’s eldest grandchild signed with MSU, she planned to move to the area from Sarasota, Fla., to watch him play in his senior season. But when senior cornerback Cedric Henry was declared academically ineligible two weeks before the season opener against Central Michigan last season, her plans were altered. Instead of becoming a cheerleader, she assumed a more familiar role - counselor. “It was a coincidence I was here when all the things happened,” she said.
BASKETBALL
Postseason stats to count
After years of inconsistency between the NCAA and its football conferences, the NCAA record books will recognize players’ statistics in bowl games. Sean Straziscar, assistant director for statistics for the NCAA, said starting this year football’s record keeping methods will be the same as other sports. “Football was the only sport that we did not count postseason statistics up until now,” he said.
SPORTS
Lugnuts ready for playoffs one step at a time
As the minor-league baseball regular season comes to a close, the Lansing Lugnuts have secured themselves a spot in the playoffs - the only question is who’ll they play.If Lansing finishes at the top of it’s Eastern Division of the Midwest League, it will face off Sept.
SPORTS
Field hockey ready for opener
After winning the first Big Ten title in team history last season, the women’s field hockey team has a tough road ahead of them - but they’re ready. Eight starters and 14 letter-winners return to a squad that last year compiled a 16-6 overall record and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament before being ousted by Michigan in a 2-1 overtime loss. The team kicks off its season Saturday by visiting the nine-time National Champion Old Dominion Lady Monarchs, and is anxious to take on the task. The Monarchs are favored to win their seventh consecutive national championship, despite the loss of 2001 Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year Adrienne Yoder to graduation. “To have a strong opponent right away is fun, that’s what we train for all summer,” head coach Michele Madison said.
VOLLEYBALL
Rule change looks to give Spartans more freedom
To spice up the game of volleyball, the NCAA added another rule to the sport this year.The position “libero” was added to increase the level of passing and defense.
FOOTBALL
Eagles hope to contain Spartans
Ypsilanti - The Eastern Michigan Eagles know what they must do in to win it’s season opener Saturday at Spartan Stadium - slow down junior wide receiver Charles Rogers. The problem is they don’t know how.
ICE HOCKEY
Freshman eager to arrive, veteran looks for new home
Seven of the Spartan hockey team’s eight freshmen are on campus, going to class, skating at Munn Ice Arena and generally getting acclimated to college life. The only rookie missing is Nenad Gajic, a skilled forward from Burnaby, British Columbia, who is still with his club lacrosse team that’s fighting for the Canadian junior national championship. Gajic, who is also a forward in lacrosse, is pursuing the Minto Cup with the rest of his Burnaby Lakers teammates.