Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
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Western Michigan
Volleyball Wins Ameritech Invitational
9/18/1999 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 18, 1999
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Michigan State used a balanced attack to defeat Western Michigan, 3-0 (15-13, 15-9, 15-4), in the championship match of the WMU Ameritech Invitational on Saturday, Sept.18. Sophomore outside hitter Erin Hartley led the way with 15 kills and added 10 digs, while junior middle Jessica Sanborn notched 14 kills on .520 hitting, and junior outside hitter Sarah Gustin added another 12 kills.
Junior setter Christie Landry, MVP of the tournament, fingered 48 assists and had her second error-free match in a row with four kills on six attacks. Redshirt-sophomore Maren Witzel totaled a match-high 12 digs in the win. The Spartans hit .363 to WMU?s .207 and tallied six service aces to the Broncos? two. Sanborn and redshirt freshman middle Angela Morley were named to the all-tournament team. It is the third such award in as many tournaments for Sanborn. Morley set her career blocking highs in three consecutive matches (7 v. DePaul, 8 v. Niagara and 9 v. Loyola).
In the day?s first match, Sanborn tied her career high with 18 kills on .536 hitting to go with three service aces, leading the Spartans to a 3-1 (8-15, 15-13, 15-4, 15-6) win over Loyola University. Loyola overpowered MSU in game one but a rotation change in between games allowed the Spartans to block the Rambler hitters better, changing the tide of the match. MSU hit .536 and .545 in games three and four as a team. Overall, Michigan State outhit Loyola .295-.156. It marked the first time in seven matches that the Spartans hit under .300.
Erin Hartley contributed 14 kills and eight digs while Witzel added 10 kills and a career-high 16 digs. Christie Landry had 49 assists to go with 13 digs, six kills (.667) and four blocks, while freshman outside hitter Kyla Smith added a career-high 13 digs in only her third collegiate start.
Michigan State is 10-2 on the season and has won its last eight matches in a row. The Spartans open up the Big Ten season at home next weekend against No. 2 Penn State on Sept. 24 and No. 18 Ohio State on Sept. 25. Both matches start at 7 p.m. in Jenison Field House. AT&T Cable will provide live television coverage, while WVFN will broadcast the match locally.
