Michigan State University
Eastern Michigan
Spartan Volleyball Soars Past Eastern Michigan 3-0
9/11/2007 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 11, 2007
YPSILANTI, Mich. - MSU volleyball clinched its eighth-straight victory Tuesday night defeating Eastern Michigan 3-0 in EMU's Convocation Center. The Spartans improve to 8-3 on the season as they near the end of non-conference action.
"It feels really good because I see improvement," said head coach Cathy George. "This was a test for us, because Eastern is always feisty; they play good defense, and they typically don't make a lot of errors. We knew it would be a tough match. I have been in this gym many times where they have fought and fought, so I wasn't taking anything for granted. We wanted to come in here and be ready after a long weekend. Our team showed a lot of composure to come in here and play as well as they did."
Michigan State controlled the service game with eight aces - four coming from Miken Trogdon, two from Katie Johnson and one a piece from Lauren O'Reilly and Jenilee Rathje. Ashley Schatzle posted her sixth double-double of the season with 13 kills and 12 digs while Rathje continued to make her mark as a freshman. The middle blocker tallied five block assists and one block solo for six total stuffs against the Eagles, while also hitting .429 with eight kills. As a whole, MSU dominated the net with a strong defensive effort of 11 team blocks (four solo and 14 assists).
The Spartans exchanged points with the Eagles early in game one until going up 25-17 compliments of Trogdon. The defensive specialist tacked on six straight points, including three service aces, to boost MSU to its eight-point lead. The Green and White maintained its strong lead in the eventual 30-19 victory. Additionally, Johnson and Rathje posted services aces as well.
Game two moved similarly to game one with close scores, but O'Reilly served up six points to put the Spartans up 20-14, a streak that included an ace and two tandem blocks by Rathje and Schatzle. The Spartans closed out the second game with a four-point service run by Johnson and decisive kills by Schatzle. MSU moved one game closer to clinching the match with its 30-20 victory.
Michigan State entered the third match jumping to a quick five-point lead at 7-2. Trogdon again aided in MSU's victory with an impressive service effort as the Spartans took the game 30-20 and the match 3-0.
MSU hosts Central Michigan Saturday, Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in Jenison Field House wrapping up regular season non-conference action. The Spartans begin the Big Ten schedule with a road match at Penn State, Friday, Sept. 21.
