Bueter cementing legacy with strong start to senior season
Senior outside setter Jordan Bueter winds up to hit the ball during the game against NIU on Sept. 30, 2016 at McGuirk Arena.
Though she hasn't finished her senior season, Jordan Bueter's legacy with Central Michigan volleyball has already earned a spot in the record books.
The Indiana native has enjoyed a strong season so far after 12 games. The Central Michigan volleyball team has a record of 8-4. The team has not started Mid-American Conference play.
Bueter leads the team and the MAC with 199 kills this season, averaging 4.63 kills per set. She also leads the team with 227.5 points, averaging 5.29 per set. She also ranks second on the squad with 116 digs and has claimed two MAC West Offensive Player of the Week honors this season.
In a match against IUPUI this season, Bueter set a school record with the most post-rally kills in a three-set match. When asked about her accomplishment in the post-match press conference, Bueter still hadn’t fully realized what she had done.
“I don’t even know what record I broke,” Bueter said.
These numbers are nothing new for Bueter.
During her freshman year, she played every set for the Chippewas, finishing with 306 kills and a team-high 26 aces. In her second year, she led the team with 361 kills and 42 aces finishing second in the MAC. She earned All-MAC honorable mention honors at the end of the season.
After the departure of then head coach Erik Olson and the arrival of now head coach Mike Gawlik, Bueter kept performing at a high level.
The First Team All-MAC selection once again led the team in kills (367) and aces (53), including a 24 kill and 12 dig performance against Ball State last September.
Head coach Mike Gawlik describes Bueter as a five-tool player.
“She serves, passes and blocks," Gawlik said. "In order to have a good season, our seniors have to have the best season of their careers. She challenges herself each week to top herself. She’s not only a big part of our offense but everything we do."
As a senior leader, Bueter is paving the way for new players.
Freshman outside hitter Kalina Smith describes Bueter and senior outside hitter Taylor Robertson as mother figures.
“Their criticism is very constructive, never mean," Smith said. "It was intimidating at first, (but) they do a really good job of making it feel homey and welcome.”
In her free time, Bueter spends time with her dog and helps with fundraising and recruitment for St. Jude’s.
“It’s been a big part of my family," Bueter said. "My great aunt could never have kids, so she saw donating to a hospital that supports kids and their families was a huge deal for her."
