Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
Oakland
Spartan Volleyball Improves To 2-0 With Sweep Of Oakland
8/31/2002 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 31, 2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The No. 15 Michigan State volleyball team improved to 2-0 with a 30-24, 30-20, 30-18 defeat of Oakland Saturday morning at the Coca-Cola/MSU Volleyball Classic. Junior Sara Villwock paced the Spartans for the second straight match with match-highs of 16 kills and eight digs, while freshman Megan Wallin had 11 kills and four blocks in her MSU debut.
The Spartans used a young lineup that enabled them to rest some key players for tonight's match against South Carolina. The seven starters for MSU, including the libero, consisted of two juniors, two sophomores and three redshirt freshmen. Wallin had the most impressive debut of the three freshmen, pounding 11 kills while hitting .563, and adding a team-high four blocks and a service ace.
Brooke Langston and Marley Bellwood, the other two first-year players to crack the starting lineup, contributed six kills and two digs, respectively. Sophomores Kim Schram and Michelle Kopka slammed 10 and eight kills, respectively, for MSU, junior Nikki Colson passed out 43 assists, and senior Emily Engel pitched in with seven digs and three service aces.
"We have to develop depth," stated MSU head coach Chuck Erbe. "You never know what's going to happen tomorrow and the next match. We're going to need them (the younger players) through the season, and I have to prepare them for different situations.
"Colson is the stabilizing factor," added Erbe. "With her on the floor I can play the younger players and give them confidence."
It took a while for the new lineup to gel, as Oakland grabbed an 11-8 lead in game one. The Grizzlies still led, 21-20, before the Spartans finally took control. A Villwock kill ignited a 5-0 run, capped by an ace from Engel, that gave MSU command. MSU hit .297 in the opening game but was hurt by six service errors.
Oakland never led in game two as MSU jumped to a 7-2 lead and cruised from there. The lead grew to 19-9 before the Grizzlies got as close as 21-15. Wallin pounded two straight kills to start a string of five straight points for MSU and put the game out of reach. Wallin was perfect attacking the ball in game two, converting all seven of her attempts for kills.
"Megan is going to be a great player in this program," said Erbe. "She's a tremendous athlete. She's tenacious when she plays. She plays with passion and she plays with heart."
The offense hit its stride in game three as MSU hit .522, led by Villwock's .809 attack percentage (8-0-9). Still, the Spartans trailed, 12-11, before taking control. MSU outscored Oakland the rest of the way, 19-6, with 12 of the points coming on kills including six by Villwock.
MSU hit .353 for the match while Oakland had a .106 attack percentage. The Spartans outdug Oakland, 30-25, outblocked the Grizzlies, 7-3, and collected nine service aces.
In the day's opening match, South Carolina improved to 2-0 with a 30-27, 30-14, 30-27 win against Georgetown. Sarah Morgan had 13 kills and 11 digs to spark the Gamecocks.
Michigan State and South Carolina will meet tonight at 8 p.m. to determine the tournament champion. Georgetown meets Oakland at 6 p.m.
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)