Central Michigan University Athletics
Young Guns: Freshman Duo Guide Sweep of Buffalo
10/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Facing one of the top defensive teams in the Mid-American Conference, the Central Michigan volleyball team put together one of its best offensive matches of the season, sweeping Buffalo at Rose Center on Friday.
The Chippewas hit .374 in the victory (25-12, 25-20, 25-20), and while the offense was great CMU's defense was also equal to the task, holding Buffalo to a .089 offensive efficiency.
"We ran our offense extremely well tonight," head coach Erik Olson said. "Stephanie Budde played like a senior and we got a great effort from every single attacker and I think that was the key. Buffalo is known for a great defense, and today a great effort both offensively and defensively allowed us to pick up a win."
Junior Lauren Krupsky had 11 kills and three aces to lead the way, but she had plenty of help. Freshmen Lindsey Dulude (eight kills, nine digs) and Danielle Gotham (eight kills in 11 swings) had perhaps the best matches of their young careers, and Kaitlyn Schultz needed just 11 swings to pile up seven kills of her own.
"Danielle was a great blocker today and one of our most efficient attackers. She was aggressive, and that was something that was missing the last few weeks," Olson said. "Lindsey does a lot of things for us. She's one of our best players in nearly every facet, and tonight she was also smart and that led to a great match for her."
Senior Alexis Lonneman paced CMU with 13 digs, and senior Stephanie Budde (31 assists) ran an efficient offense while also contributing four kills, five digs and three blocks.
CMU hit .407 in the first set while holding UB to -.160, as the Bulls struggled to reach double-figures until the final few points of the set. The Maroon and Gold offense didn't let off the gas, hitting .324 and .400 in the next two sets to complete the sweep.
"We passed well and we were able to get our middles going, which opened things up for our other attackers," Olson said. "We were very aggressive and that was important, because sometimes we can try to make the safe play."
The win pushes CMU (12-7, 5-4 MAC) back above .500 in league play. Central will host Akron at Rose Center on Saturday at 7 p.m.
