CMU volleyball keeps rolling, goes 3-0 at SUNY UAlbany tournament
Central Michigan volleyball was in Albany, New York over the weekend to compete in the SUNY UAlbany tournament where it went 3-0, bringing its overall record to 6-0.
“I think any time you can get off to a strong start it builds confidence,” head coach Mike Gawlik said. “To find success early on I think is really confidence building for getting better throughout the season.
"It's obviously the goal, you wanna win matches early on, but I think more importantly you wanna win matches that get you better so that you're playing your best volleyball at the end of the year.”
Match 1
The Chippewas looked to open up the weekend on a strong note as they took on tournament hosts UAlbany on Friday.
The first set was tight to start as it was tied at 14. However, CMU pulled away at the end with an 11-4 run to win the set, 25-18.
The Great Danes led a majority of set two, Central Michigan tried to make a late push, but UAlbany held on to take the set, 25-22.
The Chippewas got out to a fast start in set three and were able to keep the Great Danes at bay, they were never able to recover and CMU took set three 25-20.
Set four was back and forth as UAlbany held on to a 17-15 lead late looking to force a fifth set. Central Michigan went on a 5-0 run making it 20-17 and shifting the momentum. The Chippewas were able to finish strong and take set four 25-20.
Junior setter Allie Korba helped set up the offense ending the game with 28 assists along with10 digs. Junior outside hitter Natalia Rejment continued her hot start to the season with 11 kills and 18 digs.
Match 2
The Chippewas had a short turnaround when they faced off against Farleigh Dickinson on Friday.
CMU came out firing in set one with a 6-0 run and later a 5-0 run. Leading 23-15, looking to end it, the Chippewas gave up seven unanswered points, leaving the door open for the Knights.
That was until senior opposite Krystina Kasson quickly shut the door with two straight kills to give Central Michigan the set one victory, 25-22.
Kasson ended the game with a team leading 11 kills.
Similar to the first set, CMU found themselves up 10 late in the second set. This time the Chippewas slammed the door, locked it, and threw away the key, winning 25-17.
FDU would not go quietly though. The Knights came into set three swinging, opening with a 15-4 advantage. Central Michigan was not able to recover as the Knights took set three 25-14.
Tied at four to begin the fourth set, the Chippewas went on a 4-0 run. They were able to maintain that lead the rest of the way as they went on to win 25-16.
Freshman defensive specialist Hannah Langton led the team in digs with 22.
Korba once again made her presence felt. She was all over the court with 21 assists, nine digs, and an ace.
Match 3
Looking to end the weekend 3-0, CMU faced off against Iona, who came into the matchup winless in the 2024 season.
The Chippewas were all over the Gaels in set one, scoring as many as 12 in a row at one point as CMU took set one 25-5.
Set two was closer, but the Chippewas were still too much to handle down the stretch for the Gaels. Leading 13-11, Central Michigan went on a 12-2 run to win the set, 25-13.
After Iona took set three, the Gaels kept it close at the start of set four. However, they were not able to match the Chippewas' firepower the rest of the way as CMU pulled away and never looked back to win its sixth-straight.
Langton and Korba once again showed out as Langton had 22 digs and eight assists while Korba had 20 assists and 13 digs.
“We’re proud of where we’re at but not satisfied," Gawlik said. "This shouldn’t be the highest point of our season at the end of the year. I think we were picked to be seventh in the MAC, I understand why we were picked seventh based on how we finished a year ago, but I really think this group is stronger in a lot of ways.
"I think that if we can find ourselves in the MAC tournament, I think we could be a really dangerous team.”
Central Michigan puts its undefeated record to the test next week as it comes home for the Chippewa Invitational. Match one starts at 12:30 p.m. on Friday against Eastern Kentucky.
