Michigan State University
Ball State - MSU Invitational
MSU wins Fifth Consecutive Spartan Invitational
9/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 3, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
MSU vs. Ball State Box Score
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The Michigan State volleyball squad captured its fifth straight Spartan Invitational title tonight in front of a thunderous crowd at Jenison Field House, sweeping Ball State 3-0 in the final match of the weekend (30-25, 30-19, 30-19). The Spartans posted their fourth sweep of the 2005 season, while head coach Cathy George is the first MSU head coach to open her career with a 4-0 record since Annelies Knoppers managed the feat during the 1974 season. MSU was led by tournament MVP, Katie Johnson, who tallied 21 kills in the winning effort. With the win the Spartans improve to 4-0 while the Cardinal fall to 3-2 for the year.
Momentum seemed to swing in the way of the Spartans from the start, as MSU took a quick 12-6 lead in the opening set behind libero Nicole Colaluca, an all-tournament team member for the Spartans, who tallied five straight points from the service stripe. The Cardinal offense was unable to match the .340 hitting percentage of the Spartans during game-one as three consecutive Johnson kills secured the 20-13 lead and eventual 30-25 game-one victory. Setter Mickey Davis, also an all-tournament team selection for MSU, led the floor with 20 assists in game-one while Colaluca posted eight digs in the opening set.
Game-two proved much the same for the Spartans as they jumped out to an 18-9 lead after two straight Jessica Hohl kills. BSU struggled hitting -.024 compared to the .216 of the Spartans, while MSU out-blocked the Cardinals 4.0 to 1.0 in the game-two win. Johnson added 10 kills, while senior middle blocker Megan Wallin posted five kills, one block solo and one block assist at the net.
After a dismal performance through the first two games of the match, BSU hit the court at the beginning of game three, matching the Spartans point-for-point until MSU tallied four straight to take the 13-9 upperhand. A dominant performance both offensively and defensively by the Spartans led them to the 30-19 game-three victory and the 2005 Spartan Invitational title.
"Tonight's win was so exciting for our team as well as all of the supporters that gave Jenison Field House such a great atmosphere," George said. "We played very well, and continue to get better with every match we play. Playing our next two tournaments on the road at Kansas and Miami we will face tough competition that will be a great preparation for the upcoming Big Ten conference season."
Johnson tallied a game-high 21 kills, while Wallin and sophomore outside hitter Ashley Schatzle added 14 and 10 kills respectively. Davis finished the night with 49 assists, a season-best, while Colaluca and Marley Bellwood added 21 and 17 kills respectively in the Spartan victory.
MSU continues 2005 non-conference action Sept. 9-10 at the Pizza Hut Jayhawk Invitational hosted by the University of Kansas. The Spartans face Temple Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. followed by a 7 p.m. match-up with the Jayhawks. MSU concludes play when it faces VCU Sept. 10 at 11 a.m., all times are Central Standard Time.
The complete all-tournament team is listed below:
MVP - Katie Johnson/MSU Mickey Davis/MSU Nicole Colaluca/MSU Katie Verhoff/USF Elizabeth Myers/WSU Sara Lungren/WSU Amanda McCormick/BSU
