Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
Missouri State
Volleyball Chalks Up Win in Home Opener
8/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 31, 2007
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State volleyball team (1-3) swept Missouri State (4-1) in game one of the 2007 Spartan Invitational Friday afternoon as the Spartans captured their first win of the season. The Spartans have now posted 10-straight shut outs during Spartan Invitational action dating back to the 2004 tournament. Michigan State proved to be too much for the Bears and handed Missouri State its first loss of the season with scores of 30-24, 30-27, and 30-28.
All three games were tight battles where the Spartans had to put out their best efforts to compete against the previously undefeated Bears. Game one featured strong offensive play at the net with Michigan State; Johnson punched out a game-high 10 kills for the Spartans while Missouri State as a team only tallied nine kills in game one. The Spartans clinched game one 30-24; the six-point win would prove be to be the largest margin of victory in the three-game match.
Michigan State powered through game two with a more compelling defensive performance. Johnson led the team with four digs and also tallied the lone solo block while Schatzle posted the game-high seven kills in the seniors' dual effort to put the Spartans in striking distance of claiming the match victory. Game two closed with a 30-27 Michigan State win.
Game three's action continued with close scores and big plays. Schatzle led the team with nine kills, good enough for an .800 hitting percentage, in the final game while freshman Jenilee Rathje also proved to be an offensive threat at the net hitting 1.000 (3-3).
Tournament action continues tonight as Michigan State hosts Kansas (2-1) at 6 p.m. Eastern in Jenison Field House. As is with all Spartan volleyball matches, live stats and audio are available at www.msuspartans.com.
