Rapid Reaction: Volleyball swept at home on Halloween to push losing streak to three
Senior middle blocker Kalle Mulford hits the ball against Western Michigan Friday evening at McGuirk Arena. The Chippewas lost the five game match, 3-2.
Central Michigan volleyball faced a scary Northern Illinois team on Halloween and the Huskies swept the Chippewas (25-21, 25-21, 25-13) at McGuirk Arena on Saturday. CMU has lost three consecutive games, all at home, and are in fourth place in the Mid-American Conference West with a 10-15 record (5-7 MAC).
Recap:
The two teams were tied at seven and 11 in set one when the Huskies pulled away. CMU led 15-13 going into a media timeout but NIU went on a 7-0 run that caused CMU Associate Head Coach Theresa Beeckman to use two timeouts.
The Huskies and Chippewas played a close match in set two before the Huskies pulled away at the end. NIU led 15-13 at the media timeout before the Chippewas tied it at 15. Later, a kill from sophomore outside hitter Taylor Robertson cut the Huskies' lead to 23-21 before NIU came away with the set win.
Set three saw the Chippewas constantly trailing. CMU trailed 12-7 before calling their first timeout. Freshman setter Marissa Grant replaced junior setter Kathia Sanchez as the Chippewas struggled offensively. NIU then went on a 5-2 run after before CMU took another timeout. The Huskies consistently lead throughout the set and pulled off the 12-point victory.
NIU remains in first place in the MAC West with a 10-2 conference record and 14-10 overall. Robertson led CMU with 13 kills.
What This Means:
CMU played its second straight match without sophomore Jordan Bueter (undisclosed injury) and senior middle blocker Angie White. Their losses forced CMU to use 11 players, which helps their depth going forward. However, it did not translate to victories.
Two losses to Western Michigan and NIU this weekend prevented the Chippewas from moving up to second place in the MAC West instead drops them to fourth. The Chippewas will have to find a way to win without Bueter and White as the team only has four games left.
What's Next:
CMU plays their final home match next Thursday against Eastern Michigan. A loss to the Eagles could send the Chippewas to fifth place in the MAC West. They travel to Ohio, the best team in the MAC (19-5, 9-2 MAC) next Saturday.
