CMU volleyball nears record-breaking start
After Central Michigan volleyball started the season 6-0, the victories are adding up to a place in the history books. The best start came in 2007 when it began 8-0 and finished second in the Mid-American Conference.
The red-hot start has been fueled by a fired-up offensive attack, mixed with a smothering defense. The offense is led by junior outside hitter Natalia Rejment, who leads the team in kills (57) and junior setter Allie Korba, who leads the team in assists (133).
As a team, the offense is ranked second in the MAC in points and hitting percentage. Individually, Korba is ranked 10th in assists while sophomore setter Keelyn Muell is ranked ninth in service aces.
Freshman middle blocker Grace Thomas and redshirt junior middle blocker/outside hitter Abby Olin are ranked sixth and seventh in hitting percentage in the MAC.
The defense is led by freshman defensive specialist Hannah Langton who leads the team in digs (121) and Thomas who leads the team in blocks (28).
The CMU defense is ranked third in digs and second in blocks in the MAC. That might have something to do with the two leading Chippewas. Langton is ranked third in digs and Thomas is ranked fifth in blocks.
Even with lineup changes and new faces, CMU has continued to adjust while leading a strong start.
“We had several people that returned from last year’s team, but we have a variety of people in new roles,” head coach Mike Gawlik said.
As athletes graduate or transfer, Gawlik said freshmen and veterans have to step up.
“And so as you settle into those roles and to find success early on I think is really confidence building for getting better throughout the season,” Gawlik said
Despite the undefeated start, Gawlik thinks the team still has room to improve.
“I think one of the things we’re really working on is just our consistency,” Gawlik said. “You look at the wins and you’re thinking okay, well obviously they’re consistent they’re winning matches, but in volleyball, you wanna be consistent from rally to rally.
“We wanna make sure that players that play well one week can replicate that and play as consistently as possible, so I think that’s probably our biggest thing.”
The Chippewas have six games left before they start conference play. They look to keep the winning ways Sept. 14 and 15, as they host the Chippewa Invitational.
