Michigan State University
Ball State
Spartans Sweep Ball State; Remain Unbeaten
8/26/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 26, 2006
Muncie, Ind. - The Michigan State volleyball team improved to 3-0 on the year and earned the Ball State Nike/Active Ankle Weekend crown by sweeping host Cardinals (1-2) on Saturday night in Muncie, Ind. The Spartans posted scores of 30-24, 30-26, 30-20 in the win.
Outside hitter Katie Johnson earned tournament MVP honors while setter Allison Ianni and libero Nicole Colaluca also garnered all-tournament accolades.
"This weekend we showed signs of what we can accomplish if we can continue to become more consistent with each match," Spartan head coach Cathy George said.
Johnson and Ashley Schatzle led the Spartan offense with 15 kills each, while Ianni directed the Green and White with 47 assists, adding three kills and two aces. Jessica Hohl added nine kills and Mischelle Nelson posted 10 kills on 18 attempts for a .500 hitting percentage.
"Our wins this weekend were the result of the hard work and intensity our team put into preseason," Spartan captain Katie Johnson said. "I think we ran our system very well and we were able to keep other teams guessing by spreading our offense. Our defense played incredibly tough as well and all aspects of our game plan came together."
State won the defensive battle, posting 56 digs against 42 by the Cardinals' backcourt while both teams managed 7.0 blocks for the match. Colaluca anchored the Spartans with 20 digs, and Hohl and Vanessa King posted three and two block assists, respectively.
"Our offense was stagnant at times tonight but regrouped and found the rhythm to finish the match. Defensively, we dug the ball very well and showed our presence at the net for the third time this weekend."
The Spartans held a 16-11 lead after scoring six of seven points midway through the opening set. After a Ball State timeout, MSU posted four consecutive points capped by a monster block by Hohl and Schatzle for a 20-11 advantage. Johnson led a strong Spartan attack with six kills and connected on three consecutive swings late in the game to secure a 30-24 win. Ianni spread out 15 assists and served two aces, while Schatzle added five kills and one block solo.
State held an 11-6 lead in the second period before the Cardinals scored four of the next six points to pull within two at 12-10. After a Spartan timeout, the team's matched points five times to knot the match at 19. Schatzle connected on a swing down the line and followed with a block solo as MSU scored four consecutive points to push its lead to 24-19. State scored five of the last eight points to go up 2-0 heading into the locker room. Johnson and Schatzle matched their first game totals, posting six and five kills, respectively, while Ianni dished 17 assists for the Green and White.
Game three proved the most exciting of the match as the score stood 15-13 in favor of the Cardinals midway through the set. The Spartans used their first timeout and scored eight of the next nine points out of the break to take the lead at 20-16. State clinched its second sweep of the day scoring four of the last five points for a 30-20 win. Colaluca tallied eight digs in game three and Schatzle paced the offense with five kills.
Michigan State continues non-conference action when it hosts the 2006 Spartan Invitational, Sept. 1-2, at Jenison Field House. State opens tournament play against Eastern Michigan on Friday at Noon.
