Michigan State made a miraculous run in the NCDA Tournament, reaching the National Championship game before losing 3-0 to Grand Valley State.

The Spartans were in Pool B, playing Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Penn State. In the first game they squared off against BGSU, and they were able to win 6-0 behind some good catching and even better teamwork. They then went on to face Kentucky, a team who beat them 4-0 earlier in the season. Despite being heavily outgunned, the Spartans were very competitive in the first half. However, after dropping a quick point in the second half to trail 3-0, the Spartans rallied and cut the lead to 3-2 with 3:40 left to go in the game. MSU went all out on offense, and unfortunately was cut to pieces, but it was still a great effort and a good result, proving that an undermanned roster could have a chance in this tournament. Next MSU played Big Ten foe Penn State, a team playing their first tournament ever. On Friday night captain Sam Hiller and Mike Van Ermen helped coach the Nittany Lions against Kentucky, and you could really see PSU’s growth in three games. MSU would go on to win 6-0, but each point was really close.

On Sunday the Spartans drew Wisconsin-Platteville in the first round. UWP showed tremendous growth from the previous Nationals Tournaments, and they had nearly as many arms as UK did. Sitting on the Spartans’ neutral zone line, they kept throwing and throwing against MSU while MSU couldn’t do anything offensively. State was able to get some timely catches and transition kills, while playing some great defense and holding off the Pioneers 2-1. Next MSU faced rival Saginaw Valley for a chance to go to the Final Four. The Cardinals knocked out MSU in the quarterfinals last year, so State wanted to get some revenge. SVSU took the first point in a close battle in around 10 minutes, but MSU was able to strike back with some good strategy and great play to take the next point. Some timely catches and limiting the big players for SVSU was key in the next point taken for MSU, giving them a 2-1 lead, and MSU didn’t hold back in the point after that, as they were able to get some huge catches and big hits to take a 3-1 final score. Arguably the biggest win in program history at that point, they took down the defending champs to get their sixth Final Four appearance in 9 seasons. However, MSU had never won a game in the Final Four, meaning a win over Kent State would be an even bigger win. It was a win they would get, in an anti-climatic game after the huge win over SVSU. More big catches and transition kills led to a win to earn a berth in the National Championship game where they’d play battle rival GVSU, a team they’d never beaten. The Spartans were outgunned in that game, and despite some good play by MSU, they were heavily outmatched. The Lakers would go on to win 3-0, ending the title dreams for MSU.

Michigan State had only 17 players, only a handful of power throwers, and around 5 players had to sit due to injuries at certain points in the tournament. Compared to the other teams in the quarterfinals, it was a miracle they could make the Championship Game. They persevered though, and they were able to have the weekend of a lifetime.

Sam Hiller (MSU #87-C) one of this year’s All Star Game Captains, leading the Monstars team along with Zigmas Maloni (DePaul #68). The other team are the Brave Little Toasters, led by Dan Shackelford (Kent #33-C) and Felix Perrone (WKU #76-AC).

The Spartans had four players named to the All Star Game, Mike Van Ermen (MSU #6), Kevin Miller (MSU #46-AC), Eric Paul (MSU #9), and Alex Acton (MSU #72). Paul chose to be replaced due to an ailing foot, which resulted in Zach Bauer (MSU #17-AC) taking his place.

Van Ermen was the first Spartan off the board in the draft, by the Monstars, at #11 overall. Acton was taken soon after at #16 by the Brave Little Toasters. Miller and Bauer had to wait a little longer for their names to be called, at #36 and #44 respectively, by the Monstars.

So with Acton on one team, and Van Ermen, Miller, Bauer, and Hiller on the other, either way their will be a Spartan victorious at the All Star Game.

Zach Bauer will be the fifth All Star for State, as he replaces Eric Paul (injury) in the All Star Game. This will be Bauer’s first All Star selection. Paul is likely to be able to play in the tournament however, he just doesn’t want to add on one more game for the tournament. The All Star draft is tomorrow at 9:15 pm, as captain Sam Hiller joins Kent State’s captain Dan Shackelford, DePaul’s Zigmas Maloni, and WKU’s Felix Perrone in dividing up the All Stars.

Captain: Sam Hiller, #87

Assistant Captain: Zach Bauer, #17

Assistant Captain: Kevin Miller, #46

Mike Van Ermen, #6

Charlie Wilshire, #16

Colin O’Brien, #18

Thomas Rex, #10

Alex Acton, #72

Jonathan Harrison, #14

Riley Robson, #5

Andy Lieblich, #20

John Luzenski, #12

Jake Billhorn, #88

Sam Clark, #11

Nicole Halbeisen, #2

James Schneider, #25

Eric Paul, #9

Ian Childs, #19

Ethan Ettema, #4

Tim Burkey, #7