Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
9-0
UIC
4-7
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| UIC | 26 | 17 | 12 | 18 | 1 |
No. 18 Volleyball Wins UIC Invitational
9/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 12, 2009
CHICAGO, Ill. - The No. 18 Michigan State volleyball team (9-0) won its third tournament of the season, claiming the UIC Invitational. In the first match of the day, the Spartans came out strong, downing Georgia State by a score of 3-0. The night cap began on a slightly different note for the Spartans, as they dropped their first set of the Invitational, however, they were able to battle back and defeat the host UIC, 3-1. This marks the Spartans' best start to a season since 1976, when MSU began the year winning its first 15 matches. Sophomore Natalie Emro (Wildwood, Mo.) led the Spartans on the weekend as she totaled 104 assists in her tournament MVP effort, with 50 of those coming against UIC tonight.
"UIC really came out strong and hard, outplaying us in the first set tonight," said head coach Cathy George. "We made a few slight adjustments heading into the final three sets, and made quicker blocks on defense. These changes allowed the girls to take over, and play the way they are capable of to earn the tough win tonight."
The Spartans began the day with a match against the Panthers of Georgia State in the afternoon. In the first set, the Green and White came out strong, getting out to an early 12-8 lead before the Panthers called a timeout. Following the timeout, Georgia State was only able to score five more points, as MSU earned a 25-13 first set win. The second set began similar to the first, as MSU came out strong, gaining the 4-1 lead, before the Panthers scored four straight points, to gain a one point advantage, 5-4. After trading the next few serves, MSU was able to rally off four consecutive points, finding themselves ahead 9-6. The Spartans would never trail again in the second set, as they downed Georgia State, 25-20. MSU came out taking the first 11 out of 12 points against Georgia State in the third set. The Panthers were able to get several more points on the board, however the Spartans were too dominant, taking the third and final set by a score of 25-16.
Junior Megan Schatzle (Monroe, Mich.) led the team with an 11 kill effort over the Panthers this morning. While Emro contributed 22 assists and junior Allyson Karaba (Muskegon, Mich.) chipped in with 18 digs. Senior Vanessa King (Spring Lake, Mich.) anchored the MSU defense with four blocks against Georgia State.
In the evening match against UIC, MSU struggled early, dropping the first set, 26-24. This was the first set the Spartans lost in three matches, dating back to MSU's match against Cleveland State on Friday, Sept, 4.
The second set saw a completely different Spartan offensive attack. After being tied with UIC at five, MSU rallied off four consecutive kills, forcing the Flames to call a timeout with the score 9-5. Following the timeout, the Flames rallied to within one of the Spartans, before the Green and White called a timeout with the score 11-10. MSU came out of the timeout, taking the next four consecutive points, before UIC called its second timeout with the score 15-10. MSU only allowed the Flames to score seven more points, as they finished the second set with a score of 25-17.
Coming out of the intermission, MSU started strong, earning the first three points of the set. Using the early momentum, the Spartans went on a 10-4 rally early before the Flames called their first timeout of the set, with the score 13-5. Coming out of the timeout, The Green and White finished the set by taking the next 12 of 19 points. The Spartans took the third set, 25-12, which ties for the fewest points the Spartans have allowed in a set this season.
The fourth and final set began similar to the third set for MSU, as the Spartans took the first four of five points, to get out to the early 4-1 lead over the Flames. After battling back, and finding themselves down by one with a score of 6-5, the Panthers were never able to pull within five the rest of the match against Michigan State. The Green and White stayed strong in the final set, as they took the final set, 25-18.
Leading MSU with 17 kills was sophomore Becca Zlabis (Wheaton, Ill.), while also added 14 digs in the win, the fourth double-double in her career. Karaba anchored the Spartan defense as she recorded 19 digs against UIC. Redshirt sophomore Jenilee Rathje (Mount Pleasant, Mich.) posted a team high .556 hitting percentage, on 11 kills. Schatzle tallied her team-high seventh double digit kill effort of the season, posting 11 kills tonight against the Panthers. Not only did Emro lead the team in assists, but she also added six kills in the Spartan win tonight.
"Natalie distributed the ball really well today, leading the team to a .391 attack percentage tonight. She continuously improved over the course of the weekend, adding 50 assists tonight. In order for our attack to be successful, as we look to move into the Big Ten season, Natalie will need to continue to be effective setting the ball and finding our attackers," noted George.
Joining Emro on the all-tournament team for the Spartans was senior Mischelle Nelson (Naperville, Ill.). Over the course of the weekend Nelson hit an impressive .545, while adding eight blocks to the Spartan defense, with four against UIC.
"Mischelle played really well this weekend, continuing her solid play to start the season. She came up big for the team as she added kills in clutch situations, putting the ball down when needed," George added.
The Spartans conclude non-conference action next weekend, Sept. 18-19, at the Clemson Classic. MSU begins the weekend on Friday with a match against Furman at 11 a.m., and a match against host Clemson on at 7 p.m. The Spartans conclude the weekend with a 12 p.m. match against Presbyterian on Saturday.
