Volleyball swept by Bowling Green
The Chippewa volleyball team waves to the Bowling Green volleyball team after a loss at the end of the last set on Oct. 14 at McGuirk Arena.
With the 2011 Mid-American Conference Champions in attendance, Central Michigan Volleyball laid it all on the line against Bowling Green State on Saturday, losing 3-0 in McGuirk Arena.
The Chippewas are 8-12 on the season and 2-6 in the MAC. The Falcons improve to 12-6 and 8-0 in conference play.
“It’s a similar story to Thursday night,” said head coach Mike Gawlik. “We felt like the first and second set today, we were in a spot to capitalize. I said to the team after set three, ‘we could be up 2-1, we have to find a way to close out some of those close sets.’”
How it happened
Senior outside hitter Savannah Thompson brought the heat in the first set, recording six kills. Deadlocked early, neither team could find an advantage, but nearing the 15 point mark, the Falcons began to find their rhythm. However, Thompson’s energy kept the Chippewas in step with BGSU at the midway point. Although both teams managed to establish two-point leads down the stretch, the Falcons held on to win set one 27-25.
Fired up from the tough loss, the Chippewas opened the second stanza on a roll, taking a 7-3 lead off a kill from senior middle blocker Lisbeth Rosario-Martinez. However, BGSU responded with a run of its own. After jumping ahead, the Falcons established a 17-11 lead, but CMU failed to quit. Thompson and Rosario-Martinez helped the Chippewas draw within one of BGSU, but the Falcons held on to secure set two 25-22.
The third set was all BGSU, piling on the points for an early 9-3 lead. The Chippewas battled their way back, cutting the advantage to one, but BGSU quickly responded, pushing the lead to nine points. After losing standout freshman libero Aly Gurtiza, partway through the stanza, CMU struggled initially. However, the Falcons stalled at 22 points, allowing the Chippewas to cut the lead to five, but it was too late as BGSU locked up the third stanza 25-19.
Key Performers
Senior outside hitter Sierra Gray led CMU in kills with 10. Thompson was close behind with nine kills.
Senior setter Grace Butler led the Chippewas with 15 assists. Sophomore setter Kamryn Olson added nine assists.
With Gurtiza exiting in the third set, Thompson led CMU defensively with 18 digs.
Key Stats
The Falcons’ continued to dominate the net, recording 11 total blocks, eight more than CMU.
What’s Next
The Chippewas head to Ypsilanti to face Eastern on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m.
