Michigan State volleyball is back in the national conversation.
For the first time since 2018, the Spartans cracked the AVCA Top 25 Coaches Poll, landing at No. 22 in Monday’s Week 6 release. It’s a long-awaited return to the rankings for MSU, which had not appeared in the poll in eight seasons.
This latest nod comes after a strong start to the year. Michigan State is 13-1 overall and 3-1 in Big Ten play, and both marks stand out for where they sit in the program’s recent history.
The 13 wins are MSU’s best opening stretch since the Spartans went 17-1 to begin the 2013 season. Their 3-1 conference record is also their best through the first two weeks of Big Ten play since 2023.
The Spartans picked up momentum with road wins at UCLA and USC last week, then followed that by knocking off No. 14 Penn State at home on Sept.
- That win came after MSU’s first loss of the season, a setback against then-No.
20 Washington in its Big Ten opener on Sept. 25.
Monday’s ranking is the first time MSU has appeared in the national poll since it was listed No. 22 in the preseason poll on Aug. 8, 2018.
Before that preseason recognition, the Spartans’ last regular-season top-25 appearance came on Nov. 27, 2017, when they checked in at No. 12.
That 2017 team reached the NCAA Elite Eight and finished the season ranked No. 8 nationally. It was also Michigan State’s last NCAA Tournament team.
The Spartans are one of 10 Big Ten programs in this week’s poll. They also checked in at No. 22 in the NCAA’s first release of the RPI on Monday.
Michigan State returns to the Breslin Center this weekend for a pair of ranked-matchups and conference tests. The Spartans host No.
13 Oregon on Friday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m., then welcome Iowa on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. Both matches will stream on B1G+.
In Other News...
Michigan State Volleyball Just Passed A Big Early Big Ten Test
Michigan State volleyball kept its early Big Ten momentum rolling with a five-set win over USC at the Galen Center, a result that showed just how steady this group has been through the opening stretch of conference play. The Spartans improved to 13-1 overall and 3-1 in the league, and they did it with a balanced effort that included a .333 hitting percentage, a lead in kills and digs, and key production from senior standouts Karolina Staniszewska, Zora Hardison and Alanna Bankston.
For a team trying to establish itself in a deep conference, wins like this matter because they travel. Michigan State had to grind through a tight match on the road and came away with a victory over a USC team that entered at 7-7 overall and 1-3 in Big Ten play. It is still early, but the Spartans already look like a group that can win in different ways, and this one served as an important proof point before the schedule gets any tougher. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Suddenly Has An Offense Problem It Can't Ignore
Michigan States trip to Wisconsin laid bare a growing issue the Spartans can no longer treat as a temporary slump. The 31-3 loss dropped them to 2-3 and exposed an offense that never found a rhythm, even as Dion Crawford tried to keep the defense active by leading the team in tackles. On the other side of the ball, the Spartans simply never threatened enough to make the game feel competitive.
Alessio Milivojevics struggles at quarterback have put more pressure on Nick Sheridans offense to find answers quickly, and the situation got even more complicated with backup Cam Fancher dealing with an injury. Joe Rossis defense has had to shoulder too much already, and the imbalance is forcing Michigan State to confront how much needs to change if it wants to stabilize the season before the margin for error disappears entirely. [Read more 🡒]
Kenneth Walker III Is Giving Michigan State Fans A New NFL Brag
Kenneth Walker IIIs first month in the NFL has given Michigan State fans a fresh reason to keep one eye on Sundays. Through the opening four games, the former Spartan has surged to the top of the league in rushing yards and yards per carry, turning himself into one of the early stories of the season and putting his name in some rare company.
His start has been so explosive that Pro Football Focus says it is the best rushing opening over the past 15 years, and he also owns a Chiefs franchise mark for production through four games. The bigger question now is how long he can keep this pace going, with a touchdown total that is already trending toward something eye-catching if the workload and efficiency hold up. [Read more 🡒]