Spartans Sweep Hoosiers In Conference Action

Nov. 12, 2005

EAST LANSING, Mich. -

MSU vs. Indiana Box Score
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The Michigan State volleyball team played host to the Indiana Hoosiers in Big Ten action at Jenison Field House Saturday night, where MSU improved to 12-14, 5-11 in Big Ten play with the 3-0 conference sweep. With the loss, IU falls to 9-19, 2-14 Big Ten in 2005. Leading the way for the Spartans was outside hitter Ashley Schatzle with 17 kills for the match, while senior Megan Wallin and sophomore Katie Johnson added 13 and 12 kills respectively.

Game one saw MSU take an early 11-9 advantage to open the set. The Hoosiers managed to tie the contest at 13-13 behind an Erica Short kill, however the Spartans rallied to score seven of the next 10 extending their lead to 20-16. The lead was all MSU would need to take the opening set of the night 30-21, as a block assist by Wallin and Johnson gave State the 1-0 match advantage. Schatzle led all hitters with eight kills in the set, while Johnson and Langston added five and three respectively. Defensively the Hoosiers held the 5.0 to 3.0 total block advantage, however the Spartans posted a .286 hitting percentage against the .212 of the IU offense.

Momentum continued for the Spartans in game two, as they opened an 8-3 lead forcing Hoosier head coach Katie Weismiller to take her first timeout of the set. MSU responded with four consecutive points extending its lead to 13-3. State would continue to dominate the set, as a Johnson kill would solidify the lead at 25-16 en route to the 30-17 game two win. MSU hit a blistering .424 for the set behind a seven-kill effort from Wallin and four kills each from Johnson and Schatzle. The Hoosier offense managed just a .114 percentage at the net, committing seven errors in the set. Langston led the Spartan defense with one block solo, while Marley Bellwood added a floor-best four digs for the set.

A Miken Trogdon ace gave MSU the 11-3 lead early in game three, as the Spartan offense continued to dominate IU. State held its advantage the entire way through the set, as the home team took the 30-13 win, and the 3-0 conference sweep. For the match, State was led by Schatzle with 17 kills, while setter Mickey Davis added 38 assists in the victory. Wallin paced the Spartan defense with three block assists and two digs in the win, while libero Nicole Colaluca posted 17 digs for the Spartan backcourt.

"It was great for our team to post another victory at home against a Big Ten opponent tonight," Spartan head coach Cathy George said. "We honored a celebrated group of alumni during the match, and what a special way to show them appreciation with the victory."

MSU continues action next weekend as it travels to face Northwestern and Wisconsin in Big Ten play. The Friday and Saturday game times are both slated for 7 p.m. (cst.) start times.