Rapid Reaction: Ohio 3, Central Michigan 0
Sophomore outside hitter Taylor Robertson spikes the ball after sophomore middle blocker Paige Carey goes for the fake at the game against Eastern Michigan on Nov. 5, 2015 in McGuirk Arena.
Central Michigan volleyball got an early preview of the Mid-American Conference Tournament in Athens, Ohio, but was swept by the Ohio Bobcats (25-18, 25-22, 25-21). CMU drops to 11-16 (6-8 MAC) and is currently in fourth place in the MAC West.
What happened:
CMU could not get off to a solid start in set one. After a 2-2 tie, the Bobcats pushed their lead to 9-4 and did not look back, leading the Chippewas by as much as 10 for an eight-point victory.
The Chippewas played a closer match in set two. CMU jumped out to a 12-7 lead before the Bobcats scored five consecutive points to tie the set at 12. The teams tied at 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 before Ohio took a two-point lead on a kill from Ali Lake and attack error from CMU sophomore outside hitter Jessica Meichtry. The Chippewas cut the deficit to 24-23 before a kill from Ohio's Karin Bull out of a timeout sealed the set win for the Bobcats.
CMU nearly completed a comeback in set three. After trailing 18-12, the Chippewas went on a 6-2 run to force the Bobcats to call timeout. The Bobcats used two kills and an attack error from CMU sophomore outside hitter Taylor Robertson to extend its lead to five and force CMU to take a timeout. An attack error by Meichtry ended the set and match.
Ohio improves to 21-6 (11-3 MAC) with the win. Sophomore outside hitter Jordan Bueter led the Chippewas with 12 kills and two aces, while Robertson added 11 kills. Junior setter Kathia Sanchez tallied 30 assists, freshman libero Jamison Wolffis recorded 17 digs and sophomore middle blocker Paige Carey totaled two blocks.
What This Means:
The Chippewas caught a glimpse of what the MAC Tournament will be like by playing at Ohio, but the loss did not help their cause to move up in the standings. CMU is likely to reach the tournament after beating Eastern Michigan on Thursday and the Chippewas would play as the tournament's eighth and final seed if it started today.
CMU utilized their depth once again as 11 players took the floor. The depth will be crucial as this team looks to win the MAC Tournament for the first time since 2011 and plays without senior middle blocker Angie White (right ankle).
What's Next:
CMU will close out the regular season next week with its final two matches, both away from McGuirk Arena. The Chippewas will travel to Toledo next Friday and Ball State the following day. Both matches start at 7 p.m. Toledo sits in last place in the MAC West, while Ball State is one spot ahead of CMU in third in the division.
