Digging In: Week One in the Books for MSU Volleyball
8/14/2023
"Do not make it about you, make it about US."#GoGreen | #SetTheStandard pic.twitter.com/sDS4AcaiEG
— Michigan State Volleyball (@MSU_Volleyball) August 10, 2023
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Temperatures in East Lansing are rising, but summer is officially over for the Michigan State volleyball program. Student-athletes and staff officially reported for pre-season training on Monday, August 7 as the countdown to Arkansas begins. Last Friday, MSU wrapped up its first full week of practice in preparation for the 2023 campaign.
Michigan State enters year two of the Leah Johnson era, with Jake Barreau, Zheng Xiang and Maddie Beal joining her on the bench in 2023. Xiang and Beal each enter their first season with the Spartans as 11 returners join seven newcomers to make up the squad. To say Michigan State is excited for the season to start on August 25 would be an understatement.
Our practices have been much more efficient so far this year. We’re really using every single drill as an opportunity to communicate with one another to get as many reps in as we can in the least amount of time. We want to make the most of this time we have together in the pre-season.Junior Setter Julia Bishop
What does that first week of practice and meetings look like though? Most fans probably don’t know what goes into a full 12-hour day of volleyball training camp so let me break it down for you.
The Spartans start their day off with the most important meal of the day, breakfast. MSU performance dietician Madison Yourstone and nutrition fellow Danielle Phillipps keep the players fueled and ready for a full day of work on the court. After morning treatments with athletic trainer Shanteisha Pruitt, MSU holds serve & pass.
A nutritious lunch and team meetings take the Spartans into the afternoon. If you stick your head into one of MSU’s team meetings, you might find the team playing chess or discussing their summer reading of ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear. Student-athletes start the afternoon training with their specific position groups before coming together for full team practice. After a hard lift with director of athletic performance, Casey Akenberger, the team hits the recovery tubs to wrap up the day before dinner.
I was super excited for the first week of practice. It was definitely more intense than club or high school practice ever was so that was something that I had to get used to quickly. We’re all pushing each other to get better and growing together one day at a time.Freshman Defensive Specialist Makya Clayton
B1G Media Day Recap
Head volleyball coach Leah Johnson, junior outside hitter Aliyah Moore and junior setter Julia Bishop represented Michigan State at the second annual B1G Volleyball Media Day on Tuesday, August 1 at the Big Ten Network studios in Chicago. The Big Ten Conference continues to push the envelope and set the standard when it comes to college volleyball coverage as the only conference to host media days for volleyball.
?? from B1G Media Day #GoGreen | #B1GFirstServe pic.twitter.com/CjywFgLjqv
— Michigan State Volleyball (@MSU_Volleyball) August 1, 2023
It was a big honor to be able to represent Michigan State and talk about what makes our program unique. I think it’s important that the Big Ten is putting on an event like this to be able to celebrate these student-athletes and highlight what makes them unique.Junior Setter Julia Bishop
Media Day was a success…Time to get to work! ????#GoGreen | #B1GFirstServe pic.twitter.com/npUl6HTjWt
— Michigan State Volleyball (@MSU_Volleyball) August 3, 2023
The Spartans were present on day one alongside coaches and student-athletes from Northwestern, Purdue, Nebraska, Ohio State, Michigan and Indiana. The afternoon was capped off with dinner on the roof of theWit hotel in downtown Chicago as players, coaches and administrators from all 14 Big Ten institutions celebrated the numerous volleyball achievements of the conference in 2022.
To be able to represent my teammates, my school and my community was incredible. I am so grateful to be a part of this conference that is shedding light on the sport of volleyball.Junior Outside Hitter Aliyah Moore
Read Previous Installments of Digging In
Jan. 27, 2023 – Spartan Volleyball Opens Off-Season Training
Feb. 6, 2023 – Spartan Volleyball Celebrates National Girls & Women in Sports Day
March 20, 2023 – Spring Scrimmages on Horizon for Spartan Volleyball
May 3, 2023 – Takeaways from Spring Volleyball
May 26, 2023 – Current Spartans Prep for Life After Volleyball
July 11, 2023 – Volleyball Using Chess to Enhance Mental Performance
Digging In is a notebook for the Michigan State volleyball program written by assistant director of athletic communications Austin Overmann, who is entering his second season as primary contact for the team.
