VOLLEYBALL
WEB ONLY: Spikers need 2 wins to stay in Big Ten race
The Spartan volleyball team enters the weekend in a do-or-die situation - win two and survive or the alternative.The No.
VOLLEYBALL
Spikers tired of splitsville, looking for 2-win weekend
If the old adage "You're only as good as your last game" is true, then the Spartans look like one of the top teams in the Big Ten. The only problem - they're not. In each of the MSU volleyball team's two-match, nonconference weekends, the Spartans went on the road and swept both games.
VOLLEYBALL
Spikers split, sit .500 in conference
West Lafayette, Ind. - The No. 16 MSU volleyball team continues its roller-coaster ride through the season. For the third straight week, MSU (11-5 overall, 3-3 Big Ten) split its two matches.
VOLLEYBALL
Spikers OK with 10-4 record
The No. 16 MSU volleyball team has reached the halfway point of the season. And luckily for the Spartans, they've done it with more positives than negatives. Even though it would like to be better than 10-4 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten, the team is happy with its record and the prospects of the season's second half. "I'm happy with the record," senior libero and co-captain Emmy Miller said.
VOLLEYBALL
Spartans beat Badgers for 1st time in 4 years
The No. 14 MSU volleyball team left the court Friday night all smiles after a four-game victory over No.
VOLLEYBALL
Rivalry is about flag, pride
When the No. 14 MSU volleyball team steps onto the court at 7 p.m. today, there will be a buzz in the air - the Wolverines are in town.People might think an MSU-Michigan volleyball match is not as intense or exciting as a hockey, football or basketball game.The truth: If MSU were to play U-M in curling, there would a heightened level of play and state of emotions."It's a natural rivalry," head coach Chuck Erbe said.
VOLLEYBALL
Middles continue playing well while others struggle
The strength for the No. 14 MSU volleyball team when it steps on the court this season lies in the middles. The trio of senior Jenny Rood and sophomores Megan Wallin and Brooke Langston has been the most consistent group of hitters on the team.
VOLLEYBALL
Spikers split weekend matches, nearly miss sweep
The No. 14 MSU volleyball team had a sub-par weekend but earned a split of their two matches with a win Saturday night at Jenison Field House. Neither No.
VOLLEYBALL
Langston gives spikers third middle weapon
After playing in only seven of the Spartans' first 29 games this season, sophomore middle Brooke Langston was itching for more playing time.Unlikely performances against No.
VOLLEYBALL
Setter named week's best
The MSU volleyball team isn't playing for individual accolades this season, but when someone is performing as well as senior setter Nikki Colson has been, those honors just happen.Colson, a three-year captain from Lincoln, Neb., not only was named Big Ten Player of the Week but also was named AVCA National Player of the Week after her MVP weekend in Washington, D.C., at the American Volleyball Classic.
VOLLEYBALL
Spartans win tourney, pick up momentum
The No. 15 MSU volleyball team found its winning ways again, capturing the American Classic title over this past weekend in the nation's capital.Two wins on Saturday gave the Spartans a swing in recently lost momentum, as MSU lost two of three at a Nebraska tournament last weekend.
VOLLEYBALL
Kopka excels for spikers
In her third year as a Spartan, junior outside hitter Michelle Kopka is finally settling in on the MSU volleyball team and in the United States. Still, she feels there is more work to be done. Kopka came to MSU via Scarborough, Ontario, and not only had to adjust to the new style of volleyball in the United States but also the new lifestyle. "When I came here initially, it was obviously a huge shock," Kopka said.
VOLLEYBALL
2-loss weekend still impresses voters as Spikers move to No. 15
Even after a somewhat disappointing 1-2 record at the U.S. Bank/Arby's Classic, the No. 15 Spartans learned if they calm down, they step up.MSU head coach Chuck Erbe knew the weekend would be the most difficult one of the season.
VOLLEYBALL
Volleyball team returns from disappointing weekend
The No. 17 MSU volleyball team went into the U.S. Bank/Arby's Classic, facing three higher-ranked teams, looking for answers to where they stand nationally in the college volleyball ranks.The Spartans now know.After what could be dubbed a disappointing weekend, where they won only one match, the Spartans (6-2) found hope when recalling their pre-tournament thoughts - a possible three-loss weekend.Sunday's victory saved face."One win makes this a successful weekend," head coach Chuck Erbe said.
VOLLEYBALL
Spikers face stiff competition; combined opponent record is 16-1
The anticipation is over for the MSU volleyball team. This weekend, the team will find out where it stands nationally, facing three of the top 13 teams in the country in Lincoln, Neb., at the U.S.
VOLLEYBALL
Spikers hope last year's 5-1 start is not repeated
Having a 5-0 mark isn't new for the MSU volleyball team.Last season, MSU found itself undefeated and playing Wright State for the chance to sweep the Western Michigan Invitational.
VOLLEYBALL
Spartans move up to No. 17
Sometimes when a younger player beats out an older player for a starting position, team tension can arise.But that hasn't happened with the MSU volleyball team.When sophomore libero Marley Bellwood beat out senior libero Emmy Miller for the key defensive position, head coach Chuck Erbe had cause for concern.
VOLLEYBALL
'U' dominates in Carolina Classic; now 5-0
The No. 25 MSU volleyball team continues to dominate the volleyball world. South Carolina and North Carolina were MSU's victims over the weekend. MSU defeated the host school South Carolina 30-19, 24-30, 30-17 and 30-28 on Friday night to improve to 4-0 on the season. The team was paced by three players, led by junior opposite side hitter Michelle Kopka with 14 kills.
VOLLEYBALL
Spartans travel to South Carolina seeking 2 victories
The MSU volleyball team is traveling to the Carolina Classic in Columbia, S.C., this weekend with one goal in mind - move up in the rankings. After a 3-0 start to the season, MSU had failed to move up in the rankings, holding steady at No.
VOLLEYBALL
Steplyk is Spartans' heart and soul
A ball is floating in the air - then smashed down with one quick blow. The referee signals the point and junior outside hitter Diana Steplyk screams and congratulates her teammates with high fives.