Central Michigan University Athletics
Volleyball Welcomes in Akron and Buffalo this Weekend
10/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
MOUNT PLEASANT With the first half of the Mid-American Conference season over, the Central Michigan University volleyball team looks to get off to a great start in the second half with a pair of home matches this weekend.
The Chippewas host East Division rivals Akron and Buffalo this weekend. CMU battles the Zips on Friday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m., and UB on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. Both matches will take place in Rose Arena.
The Chippewas are 14-8 and 3-5 in the MAC. They sit in a tie for third in the West Division with Eastern Michigan, just two games behind second-place Northern Illinois and four from first-place Western Michigan. Along with this weekend’s matches, CMU faces every MAC West Division team again and East Division leader Ohio during the second half of the schedule.
“This league is still wide open and we still have a lot of opportunities ahead of us the rest of this season,” CMU head coach Erik Olson said. “It is important we step it up this weekend and get off to a great start. We played a pretty tough first half of the schedule and we need to use that experience as we begin the second part of conference play.”
The Chippewas have hit a rough stretch lately in the conference but Olson is optimistic that the squad will turn things around this weekend.
“I am happy with the progress we have made the last week or so,” Olson said. “I thought we played well last week and just missed picking up a couple victories. Physically, we are pretty much where we need to be and we continue to improve the mental part of our game. Our staff has tried hard this week to reinforce the positive things this team has done and make sure our players know the potential they have.”
The coaching staff has worked hard to keep the level of competition high during practice.
“We are always testing our players during the week to make sure they are ready to compete,” Olson said. “No players spot in the lineup is safe because it is important that no one gets too comfortable. Our depth chart can change at any time and it is key that our players are ready to play every time they step out on the court.”
The Maroon and Gold rank second nationally in service aces with 2.71 per game. The nation’s leader is Maryland-Eastern Shore with 3.0 per game while Navy ranks third with 2.56 per game. Kate Fissel and Courtney Kersten both rank among the countries top 100 in aces. Fissel is 23rd with 0.61 per game while Kersten is 79th with .048 per contest. Four CMU players rank among the conference’s top six in the category. The school record is 2.77 set by the 1983 squad.
“Our performance at the service line has been fantastic this year and will continue to be a key to our success,” Olson said. “Our ability to take opponents out of system and generate opportunities will be a priority for us this weekend. It is also important we have a solid sideout game, so we have the opportunity to serve the ball. When we put both those things together, we are a tough team to stop.”
The Chippewas host East Division rivals Akron and Buffalo this weekend. CMU battles the Zips on Friday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m., and UB on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. Both matches will take place in Rose Arena.
The Chippewas are 14-8 and 3-5 in the MAC. They sit in a tie for third in the West Division with Eastern Michigan, just two games behind second-place Northern Illinois and four from first-place Western Michigan. Along with this weekend’s matches, CMU faces every MAC West Division team again and East Division leader Ohio during the second half of the schedule.
“This league is still wide open and we still have a lot of opportunities ahead of us the rest of this season,” CMU head coach Erik Olson said. “It is important we step it up this weekend and get off to a great start. We played a pretty tough first half of the schedule and we need to use that experience as we begin the second part of conference play.”
The Chippewas have hit a rough stretch lately in the conference but Olson is optimistic that the squad will turn things around this weekend.
“I am happy with the progress we have made the last week or so,” Olson said. “I thought we played well last week and just missed picking up a couple victories. Physically, we are pretty much where we need to be and we continue to improve the mental part of our game. Our staff has tried hard this week to reinforce the positive things this team has done and make sure our players know the potential they have.”
The coaching staff has worked hard to keep the level of competition high during practice.
“We are always testing our players during the week to make sure they are ready to compete,” Olson said. “No players spot in the lineup is safe because it is important that no one gets too comfortable. Our depth chart can change at any time and it is key that our players are ready to play every time they step out on the court.”
The Maroon and Gold rank second nationally in service aces with 2.71 per game. The nation’s leader is Maryland-Eastern Shore with 3.0 per game while Navy ranks third with 2.56 per game. Kate Fissel and Courtney Kersten both rank among the countries top 100 in aces. Fissel is 23rd with 0.61 per game while Kersten is 79th with .048 per contest. Four CMU players rank among the conference’s top six in the category. The school record is 2.77 set by the 1983 squad.
“Our performance at the service line has been fantastic this year and will continue to be a key to our success,” Olson said. “Our ability to take opponents out of system and generate opportunities will be a priority for us this weekend. It is also important we have a solid sideout game, so we have the opportunity to serve the ball. When we put both those things together, we are a tough team to stop.”
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