Michigan State University
Iowa
Volleyball Sweeps Iowa in Three Game Contest
10/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 19, 2007
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State volleyball (12-9, 3-6) picked up its third Big Ten Conference win Friday night, defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes (9-11, 1-8), 3-0, in Jenison Field House. Senior Katie Johnson posted four blocks, passing the 200 mark in her career. Johnson now has 202 total blocks in her four years wearing the Green and White. Additionally, the Spartans were led offensively by senior Ashley Schatzle and defensively by senior Miken Trogdon.
Schatzle crushed out 17 kills while Trogdon anchored the backcourt with 13 digs. In addition, Vanessa King and Jenilee Rathje each finished in double digit kills with 13 and 10, respectively. Outside hitter, but more recently tabbed defensive specialist, Heather McDaniel helped control the defense with 10 digs. Penetrating the net, King led the Spartans with five blocks.
As a team, MSU finished the match statistically leading Iowa in all categories, but most impressively, out-killing the Hawkeyes 59-37.
With the win, head coach Cathy George allowed her players to spray paint her hair green, in appreciation of the continued fan support.
"Oh, the girls went crazy. I couldn't breathe and thought I was going to pass out. But I am so pleased with the great turnout and the crowd here," said George.
In game one, Schatzle tallied eight kills and contributed two blocks, while Johnson's two blocks put her at exactly 200 career blocks. Johnson and Trodgon lead the team with four digs each, in the 30-24 winning effort.
Freshman middle blocker Rathje came alive in game two, picking up six kills. From the defensive effort, Trogdon again led the Spartans with four digs, while McDaniel chalked up three of her own. Jessica Hohl controlled the net, shutting down the Hawkeye offense with two blocks. The Spartans took game two, in great part to Schatzle's two four-point service runs, besting Iowa, 30-26.
In the evening's final game, yet another Spartan led the game in kills, as King posted seven; freshman Allyson Karaba led MSU with six digs. Freshman outside hitter Lisa Naymick entered at match point in favor of MSU, and crushed out her second career kill, tallying the match winning point.
Michigan State volleyball hosts No. 13 Minnesota Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. in Jenison Field House. The Gophers entered their Friday night match at Northwestern with a 12-6 overall record and 5-3 conference mark.
