Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Volleyball Opens Four-Game Homestand Tuesday
9/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 12, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
Radio - Michigan State Live Audio
The Michigan State volleyball team looks to build on its 7-1 record when it hosts Oakland University on Tuesday in the first of four straight matches on its home court. The teams meet for the first time since the 2002 season when the Spartans swept the Golden Grizzlies in East Lansing. MSU enters the week atop the Big Ten standings in both kills per game (18.12) and assists per game (16.76).
The Week Ahead Michigan State begins a four-game homestand when it plays host to Oakland on Tuesday, Sept. 12 and Toledo on Saturday, Sept. 16. Both games begin at 7 p.m. in Jenison Field House.
Scouting the Spartans The Spartans went 1-1 last weekend competing at the Sports Import Classic hosted by Ohio State University. MSU was swept by Arizona State in the opening game of weekend play and rebounded with a 3-0 victory versus Tennessee Tech on Saturday afternoon. Katie Johnson posted a team-best 3.83 kills per game in weekend play, while setter Allison Ianni dished 12.83 assists per game, adding 1.50 digs per game and 0.50 blocks per game. MSU's 7-1 record marks the best start to a season since the 2001 campaign.
National Spotlight In the most recent NCAA national statistics, the Spartans rank first in assists per game (17.47), first in kills per game (18.74), and sixth in hitting percentage (.328). Individually, setter Allison Ianni ranks fifth with 14.16 assists per game, while outside hitter Katie Johnson ranks 14th with 5.11 kills per game. In 2005, Johnson ranked as high as first in the nation with 6.18 kills per game and finished the season ranked 15th (4.95 kpg), while libero Nicole Colaluca finished the year ranked 23rd (5.41) in digs per game.
Strong Start In the last five matches, junior outside hitter Jessica Hohl has paced the Spartan offense with 3.47 kills per game, a .387 hitting percentage, and a team-best 1.20 blocks per game. Hohl set a new career-high, earning a .750 hitting percentage against Miami (Sept. 2), while the junior tied a career-high with two service aces against Eastern Michigan (Sept. 1).
Schedule Note This season, Michigan State will face six teams that competed in the 2005 NCAA Tournament, (Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Purdue and Minnesota) including five (Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue and Minnesota) that were ranked in the final poll by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).
