CMU volleyball opens up MAC play with two-straight losses
The Central Michigan volleyball team lost two close matches this weekend.
It was tough weekend for the Chippewas (7-6) as they had to face arguably their toughest task this season. They started Mid-American Conference play on the road against No.29 Northern Illinois (12-4) and rival Western Michigan (12-3).
After being swept in three games by NIU Friday night, the Chippewas rebounded in game one against the Broncos winning 25-23. However, WMU came back to win the next three matches 25-22, 25-17 and 27-25.
“There were a lot of little things that we didn’t do very well,” said head coach Erik Olson. “We put ourselves in a pretty good position winning game one even though we didn’t play very well and we didn’t make much change after.”
CMU knew this weekend would be tough. Not only were they playing two of the toughest teams in a strong MAC conference, they were also doing it without a full strength lineup.
All-MAC senior middle blocker Kaitlyn Schultz has been down the last two weeks along with junior outside hitter Val DeWeerd and junior right side Jocelyn VerVelde.
The Chippewas did receive some good news in the game four loss to the Broncos when DeWeerd checked in at the end of the game and scored three kills and a dig in little time.
“We got (Val) DeWeerd in during game four and that felt a lot better,” Olson said. “It was nice to have her back because we’ve been putting a lot of pressure on our outsides the past two weeks.”
More good injury news was Schultz returning to her usual form. During the WMU game she recorded 12 kills and five blocks.
“She is probably our most efficient player,” Olson said. “I think she is our most consistent, but she is capable of having a heavier impact on the match.”
A huge highlight from the match came from sophomore defensive specialist Jenna Coates as she recorded 22 digs (5.5/game).
The Broncos are around the top of the MAC in digs per game and the Chippewas out dug them 72-68, with Coates leading that charge.
“She was outstanding,” Olson said. “We’re capable of being a phenomenal defensive team and we need to hold ourselves to that standard.”
CMU starts out its MAC play at 0-2, but found a lot of positives in those matches. It saw starters Schultz and DeWeerd return to action and hopefully have them back from here on out. They also have their two toughest road tests out of the way.
“It’s nice to know we get to play them again at McGuirk Arena,” Coates said. “We know every MAC team is going to be tough, but it’s nice to have two of the top teams up first.”
This week marks the end of the five-week road trip the Chippewas faced. The team makes its first ever McGuirk Arena appearance at 7 p.m. on Thursday when it plays Eastern Michigan (13-3) . The Eagles beat NIU 3-1 Saturday night.
“We’re pumped up,” Coates said. “We’ve had five weeks on the road and we’re ready to open up our beautiful new arena.”
