Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Marshall- MAC Tourney Quarterfinal
Marshall Upsets Chippewas In MAC Tourney
11/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 21, 2003
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Central Michigan University volleyball (19-12) team had its fairy-tale season come to an abrubt end after falling to Marshall (20-15) in the quarterfinals of Mid-American Conference Tournament on Friday afternoon, 3-1.
The loss ended the Chippewas' seven-game win streak as well as their season after winning the MAC West Division regular season and earning a first-round bye in the postseason tourney.
"We didn't have our intensity," said head coach Elaine Piha. "We were the tentative ones despite being the higher seed and coming in with a seven-game win streak.
"The pace was very slow, it looked like a high school game out there. It forced us to play a lot of defense which is not how we play."
CMU was led by Shaleene Glombowski who had a match-high 58 assists in her final game as a Chippewa. Emily Lovejoy and Tamara Fant each had 18 kills, which was a match high.
The Chippewas looked a little out of tune in the opening stanza falling behind 6-0. CMU put it together and had runs of four and five points but it just wasn't enough to overcome the Thundering Herd's early lead. Marshall eventually picked up a 30-23 win.
In the second game, Marshall jumped out to another early lead but the Chippewas hung close. CMU took its first lead of match at 16-15 and upped to 18-16 before the Thundering Herd tied it at 18. The two teams battled back and forth with niether sqaud grabbing more than a two-point lead. A service and hitting error each by MU ended the game, giving the Chippewas the win in the second game.
Senior setter Shaleene Glombowski rallied the troops by setting up 18 kills in the game.
The Chippewas came out with energy after the intermission and built a 6-1 lead early in the third game. CMU didn't trail until Marshall took a 26-25 lead which they improved to 27-25 on the next rally. Melissa Reynolds brought the Chippewas back by stepping to service line for four straight points which gave CMU a 29-27 lead. Marshall pulled the game back to even at 30 and won the next two points for a 32-30 victory and 2-1 lead in the match.
The fourth game was close untill Marshall went on a 7-3 run to take an 11-6 lead. The Chippewas mounted a valient comeback and pulled within two points of the Thundering Herd, but MU fended off the Chippewas and finished off the game with a 30-24 victory.
