Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
Massachusetts
Volleyball Wins UMass Invitational
9/11/1999 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
MSU-UMass Box Score
Sept. 11, 1999
AMHERST, Mass. - The Michigan State volleyball team won the Motorola UMass Invitational Tournament, defeating host Massachusetts, 3-0, in Amherst, Mass., on Saturday, Sept. 11. Junior middle Jessica Sanborn (Colbert, Wash.) was named the MVP of the tournament, while junior outside hitter Sarah Gustin (Hesperica, Calif.) and junior setter Christie Landry (Naperville, Ill.) were named to the all-tournament team.
Sophomore outside hitter Erin Hartley (Midland, Mich.) led the Spartans against UMass with 19 kills on .556 hitting to go with 10 digs and three service aces, while sophomore outside hitter Maren Witzel (Palmer, Alaska) completed one of the best days of her career with 15 kills, 11 digs and three blocks. Sanborn added 14 kills on .522 hitting, totaling six digs and a match-high six blocks. Senior Tammy Vonderheide (Stewardson, Ill.) contributed 13 digs from the back row. The Spartans hit .346 as a team.
"Jessica is beginning to mature as an offensive player," said MSU head coach Chuck Erbe, "and she and Christie (Landry) are clicking on all cylinders.
"We had solid competition in this tournament," Erbe continued, "especially from UMass. They've got nice defensive and ball control skills."
The Spartans cruised to a 15-5 victory in game one but fell behind early in game two. MSU secured its first lead in the game at 8-7 in the midst of five consecutive points with Hartley holding serve. Down 9-14, UMass continued to fight, scoring three consecutive points before MSU closed out the game with block assists by Landry and freshman Angela Morley (Holland, Mich.). The Spartans notched the first three points in game three before allowing UMass to score four straight in one sideout. Down 3-4, Sanborn and Witzel stepped up their games and spurred the Spartans to tournament victory.
In the first match of the day, MSU came out strong against Seton Hall, winning game one 15-1. That marks the 25th time in school history that Michigan State has held its opponent to a single point. The Spartans let down in game two and the Pirates stole it, 15-12. MSU regrouped and, keyed by six kills from Sanborn, took game three 15-5 and finished the match with a 15-3 score in game four.
Sanborn led all hitters with 18 kills on .552 hitting, while Gustin added 12 kills and 12 digs while hitting .407.
Michigan State is now 6-2 on the season. The Spartans travel to Kalamazoo, Mich., next weekend for the Western Michigan Bronco Spiketacular Tournament.
