Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
Florida A&M (Coca-Cola/MSU Volleyball Invitational)
Michigan State Volleyball Wins Sixth-Ever Coca-Cola Classic Championship
9/5/2004 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 5, 2004
EAST LANSING, Mich - Michigan State (3-0) volleyball defeated Florida A&M (1-2), (30-23, 30-25, 30-23), on Saturday night to capture the Coca-Cola Classic Championship. Having defeated both St. John's and Ohio, 3-0, earlier in the tournament, State earned the title for the sixth time of the volleyball classic's nine all-time winners. "We are right on track," said MSU head coach Chuck Erbe. "It was an outstanding opening tournament for us and we really showed a heightened sense of competition throughout the weekend." State had a strong showing from the start of its first game of the match, leading 7-3. Still, the Rattlers were relentless and closed the scoring gap to 10-9 soon thereafter. But with a series of Spartan kills and several FAMU errors, MSU gradually pulled ahead to regain a significant lead and to take the eventual win, 30-23. Senior Kim Schram led her team in kills, posting five in the first game. Schram also had six digs, as did fellow Spartan Marley Bellwood, a junior. Further testament to an already-impressive freshman debut was Maggie Griffin's performance. Griffin posted 14 of State's 16 set assists in game one. In its second game MSU established a quick lead over FAMU, but the Rattlers managed to tie scoring at 11-11. State took a slight lead, only to have FAMU tie the game again at 13-13. The Rattlers pulled ahead, 18-17, to take their first lead of the match, due to an MSU attack error, but State caught up to tie the game and then surpass FAMU, thanks to a kill by Spartan senior Michelle Kopka and a subsequent kill by junior Megan Wallin. As Spartan points gradually climbed on the board, they upped their defensive aggression, posting a string of blocks to reach a 25-20 lead and an eventual 30-25 win. "Our defense was an critical element of our success," Erbe said. "We made some important plays to keep the ball in play and we proved our defensive consistency." Schram had nine kills in the second game, while Kopka, Wallin and freshman Andrea Hansen each posted six. Hansen and Wallin both recorded three block assists as well. Griffin registered an impressive .667 hitting percentage in the second game and junior Marley Bellwood led the team with nine digs, while Schram had eight. Florida A&M stepped up the level of competition for the third game, leading by as much as three points before MSU responded on the board. Still, the Spartans quickly countered Rattler points to take the lead. In the third game, Schram posted six kills, while Wallin had five, good for a game-total of 15 and 11, respectively. Griffin recorded a whopping 18 set assists in the third game alone, 45 overall. "Maggie's setting percentage is a real tribute to her ability, as a setter, to make hitters successful." Erbe said. MSU held FAMU to a deficit of at least four points and by as many as seven points before securing the match and the Tournament Championship with a 30-23 Spartan victory. "We set goals to prove ourselves as a great team this weekend," said Wallin. "Our team chemistry was there, so this victory really contributes to our confidence as a whole." "The team dynamic was excellent," Erbe said of his Spartans. "The chemistry didn't change, regardless of who was on the floor." Four Spartans were named to the 2004 Coca-Cola/MSU Classic All-Tournament Team, while just one player from each opposing team earned the honors. Among the All-Tournament Team selections was Kim Schram, who was named the tournament's most valuable player. Wallin, Bellwood and Griffin were also named to the All-Tournament Team, along with St. John's Jackie Ahlers, Ohio's Jenna Gaughran and Julia Winkfield and FAMU's Adriana Kostandinova.
