Michigan State University
Oakland
Spartans Down Oakland In Non-Conference Play
9/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 12, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State volleyball team improved its record to 8-1 with a sweep of intra-state rival Oakland (0-8) Tuesday night at Jenison Field House. MSU posted scores of 30-16, 30-23 and 30-14 in the win.
The Spartans held Oakland to the second-lowest point total (53) under the 30-point scoring system in the history of the program, while State's 8-1 record to begin the season marks the best start since the 1995 campaign, when MSU advanced to the NCAA National Semifinals.
A trio of Spartans recorded double-digit kill totals for the match, led by outside hitter Ashley Schatzle with 11, while outside hitter Katie Johnson and middle blocker Jessica Hohl each added 10. Setter Allison Ianni directed the offense with 35 assists, two block assists and seven kills on eight attempts for a .750 average. Freshman middle blocker Vanessa King connected on seven-of-13 swings for a season-best .462 attack percentage, while sophomore Heather McDaniel and freshman Whitney Tremain added eight and two kills, respectively.
"We were very happy to have an opportunity for our younger players to gain experience tonight," Spartan head coach Cathy George said. "As we begin a stretch of two straight weeks on our home court, we are able to test out new ideas and use our practice time to prepare ourselves for the upcoming Big Ten season."
State dominated at the net, posting 10.0 total blocks against 4.0 by the Golden Grizzlies. The Green and White backcourt tallied 55 digs, where libero Nicole Colauca posted a match-high 19, and defensive specialists Miken Trogdon and Melany Rarey added 10 and six digs, respectively. Hohl, Johnson and King each tallied three blocks, while Ianni and Tremain managed two block assists each for the match.
"We all had goals - both individual and team goals - that we set early this year and tonight was a good indication that we are working hard to reach our highest potential," Spartan captain Nicole Colaluca said. "The new players that we added to the team this year have really stepped up their play to fill the holes we had in our starting lineup."
MSU took a 10-1 lead early in the opening set. After an Oakland timeout, Trogdon served the Spartans to seven straight points to push the lead to 23-8 before Schatzle pounded her fifth kill of the set for a 30-16 game-one win. Johnson posted six kills on eight attempts in the game, while Ianni spread out nine assists. MSU out-blocked Oakland 6.0-2.0 as Hohl, Johnson and McDaniel each tallied two blocks for the set.
Six of Oakland's first seven points in game two came as the result of Spartan errors. With the score tied at 11-11, MSU scored five consecutive points to take a 16-11 lead midway through the set. The teams matched points four times, but State went on a 7-3 run through the final 10 points to secure the 30-23 win. Hohl posted a game-best six kills, while Ianni, Johnson and McDaniel each added four kills for the Green and White.
Michigan State went on a 14-1 run in game three to take a commanding 20-5 lead. Oakland scored six of the next seven points, but State went on a 9-3 run to clinch its seventh sweep of the season with a 30-14 game-three victory. Schatzle led both sides of the net with six kills, while Ianni and freshman setter Katie Vander Meer combined for 17 assists to direct MSU to a match-high .533 attack percentage.
State continues its four-game homestand when it plays host to the University of Toledo on Saturday, Sept. 16 at Jenison Field House at 7 p.m. The Michigan State marketing and promotions office and Chili's Restaurant of Okemos will also host the Volleyball Victory Dinner prior to Saturday's match. The event, which is open to the public, will run from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. in the Jenison Field House parking lot where Chilis will provide a meal for $5 and a Giant Slide and Bounce House will be available for young Spartan fans.
