MSU Goes 0-4 in First Tournament of Season

Michigan State traveled to Kent State for the first time in program history to partake in the Kent State Tournament a.k.a. the “Summer Street Slugfest”. Led by Mike Van Ermen, Colin O’Brien, and Andy Lieblich for the first time, the Spartans would play matches against Central Michigan, Kent State, Saginaw Valley, and Kentucky. This was being touted as a big beginning of the season showcase tournament, as all the teams involved were in the top eight of the preseason Captains’ Poll.

Unfortunately, it did not go as well as the Spartans would hope. Nine of the sixteen players on the roster were playing their first ever varsity match, and they were down some of their bigger power throwers. However, other teams, such as Kentucky, were also down players, and everyone had first year players playing.

In their first match, MSU was paired up with CMU, a team they had beaten twice last year (8-1 and 3-0.) This wasn’t the same CMU team though, as they came with a full roster and ready to play. The Chips would go on to win 4-1. Michigan State then faced Kent, who they defeated in the National Semifinals last year, and lost that one in a close one 2-1. After that was a 3-0 loss to SVSU, another team they K.O.’d from Nationals last year, and then followed by a 3-2 loss in OT to UK.

The OT loss ensured the Spartans a point on the weekend, but they definitely would have wanted more than one. It also meant that MSU is now 0-4 in the new overtime rules (established before the 2012-2013 season.) State will look to rebound later on this Fall, as they will likely travel at least once more and host the MSU Invite.

Season Begins For Spartans

After reaching the National Championship Game last season, the Spartans have their sights set on winning the title this year. Despite losing six key members of last year’s team, including four All Stars, State should be even better this season. Part of this is the return of multiple key contributors who missed Nationals 2013, including three of the team’s hardest throwers, and another part of this is the general growth of the returning players. Add this to a potentially huge recruiting class by new captain Mike Van Ermen, and this is a team who should make a lot of noise in the NCDA this year.

MSU was picked fourth in the preseason Captain’s Poll this year, trailing #1 Grand Valley, #2 James Madison, and #3 Kentucky. To win a championship, they’ll likely have to beat at least two of those schools in one day at Nationals 2014, and MSU hasn’t beaten any of those schools since Fall 2008 (a win vs UK.)

The Spartans first tournament this year will likely be in a little over two weeks at Kent State. This will be the earliest State has started their season in recent memory, and they’ll get some tough tests. Also participating in the tournament will be Kent State, Central Michigan, Saginaw Valley, and Kentucky. These are some of the best teams in the league, with all of them being top seven seeds at Nationals 2013, and there will be three of last year’s Final Four teams. Kent State and Saginaw Valley will want some payback after being knocked out of the Nationals tournament by MSU.

Also on the schedule for this season for MSU are their typical home tournaments- the MSU Invite in the Fall and the Michigan Dodgeball Cup in the winter. They’ve also been given an invite to the GVSU Invite and the Chicago Dodgeball Open. And of course, Nationals 2014 in Columbus, OH.