VerVelde saves game four, secures win
It was close, but still a win for the Central Michigan volleyball team.
Game four came down to the wire, but junior right side hitter Jocelyn VerVelde came up huge.
The Chippewas (3-3) set the tone early, jumping out to an eight to one lead on Austin Peay (1-6).
But the Governors didn’t give up and accept the loss, they fought back with four straight points, forcing the game to go back forth, much like the first two games.
CMU was up 16-11 and looked to have the game and the matched sealed up, but Austin Peay fought back, taking a 21-17 lead.
In comes VerVelde
She wasn’t perfect committing an attack error on her first play since Iowa in the season opener, but she fixed it fast.
In what little time the junior saw, she recorded three kills and four blocks, including two straight kills, making the game 24-23.
The two teams battled and switched leads until sophomore middle blocker Danielle Gotham recorded her thirteenth kill of the match and an attack error by The Governors finished the game and match.
The Chippewas and Governors battled in games one and two, not only exchanging leads, but splitting the first two games. CMU took game one 25-19, but AP won game two 25-22.
The Chippewas came off their game two loss strong starting the game with a seven to one lead, running away with 25-14 game win.
One big key missing for CMU was the lack of its All-MAC middle blocker Kaitlyn Schultz, who sat out of practice all week with a strained muscle in her calf.
Gotham filled in well for VerVelde already this year and did it again in this game with her five blocks to go with the 13 kills.
Junior outside hitter Lindsey Dulude lead the team in kills with 15 and 15 digs. Sophomore libero Jenna Coates added 25 digs and freshman outside hitter Kaitlyn McIntyre recorded 14 of her own.
Sophomore setter Kelly Maxwell was working hard as well with an astounding 41 assists.
CMU is back in action at 11 a.m. tomorrow against Elon and at 6 p.m. against the host Butler.
