CMU volleyball's 2022 schedule to begin with exhibition on Mackinac Island
Central Michigan volleyball's 2022 season will begin with a historic matchup.
The Chippewas will begin their schedule with an exhibition match against Northern Michigan Aug. 20 on Mackinac Island.
"We have had the idea of getting our athletes to Mackinac Island for a few years," said head coach Mike Gawlik in a press release. "The opportunity to not only visit the Island, but play an NCAA volleyball match there, is really special for our athletes and their families.
"Not only will we be able to test ourselves against Northern Michigan, but it will also provide a first-class experience for our program. We are excited that our administrations, as well as the Mackinac Island Public Schools, shared in that vision of bringing elite women's athletics to a unique venue on the 50th anniversary of Title IX."
CMU will begin regular season play at the Memphis tournament, starting with a match against Eastern Washington and the host Memphis on Aug. 26. The Chippewas will face off against Nicholls State Aug. 27 to round out its first weekend.
Following that, the Chippewas will travel to the Saint Louis tournament. Youngstown State and St. Thomas await on Sept. 2, with a match against Saint Louis scheduled for Sept. 3.
Two more tournaments await CMU during the non-conference slate, as the team will compete in the North Dakota State tournament Sept. 9-10. The Chippewas will face Northern Arizona and North Dakota State on the first day before taking on Chicago State Sept. 10.
In its final weekend of non-conference play, CMU will play at Butler. The Chippewas will play Notre Dame on Sept. 16 before facing Missouri and Butler on Sept. 17.
CMU begins Mid-American Conference play by hosting two games against Ball State Sept. 23-24. After traveling to Toledo for two games Sept. 29-30, the Chippewas return home for matches against Ohio (Oct. 6) and Kent State (Oct. 7).
Bowling Green will host CMU for two games Oct. 14-15. After that, the Chippewas return home for three straight. Eastern Michigan will travel to McGuirk Arena for one game Oct. 19 before Miami (Ohio) comes to town for two games Oct. 22-23.
CMU will play four straight games on the road, with trips to Akron (Oct. 28), Buffalo (Oct. 29) and Northern Illinois (Nov. 4-5) on tap as the calendar turns from October to November.
The Chippewas finish their home slate of games by hosting Western Michigan for two (Nov. 11-12). The regular season ends when CMU travels to Eastern Michigan on Nov. 16.
The MAC tournament is scheduled to run from Nov. 20-23 at a to be determined location.
