Central Michigan University Athletics
Rockets and Cardinals On Tap for Chippewas
11/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
MOUNT PLEASANT -- After a 3-1 homestand the Central Michigan volleyball team hits the road for a pair of rematches in its final travel weekend of the Mid-American Conference schedule.
CMU will head down to face the Toledo Rockets on Friday at 7 p.m., before heading further south to square off against the Ball State Cardinals on Sunday at 1 p.m.
“Last weekend was great because we got great play from four different freshmen,” head coach Erik Olson said. “It gave us a better idea of what we’re made of, and it was good to have our depth tested. We’re going to continue to find the players who are playing the best, and that’s who will get an opportunity. ”
Each match grows increasingly important as teams jockey for positioning in the MAC Tournament that is now a mere two weeks away. CMU (14-8, 7-5 MAC) is tied with Northern Illinois (13-12, 7-5 MAC) for second place in the West Division, and is also tied with the Huskies for the final bye through to the quarterfinals.
The two division winners are guaranteed first round byes, and passes are also awarded to the next two teams with the best winning percentages, regardless of division.
The Chippewas have started to find their stride offensively, hitting .280 or better as a team in four of their past five matches, and are 4-1 in their past five contests.
CMU has risen to fifth in the league in offense (.222) and sits third in defense (.189) while continuing to lead the MAC in aces (1.59) by a wide margin. Krupsky sits third in the league in points per set (4.60).
Toledo (14-10, 5-7 MAC) stubbed its toe last weekend, getting swept at Northern Illinois and Western Michigan to snap a three-game win streak. UT ranks ninth offensively during league play (.181), 11th defensively (.232) and 10th in aces (0.90).
CMU didn’t manage a strong offensive day, but managed to hold UT to hitting just .144 in the first meeting, a 3-0 Chippewas victory at Rose Center. Junior Lauren Krupsky led all players with 15 kills for Central, and Sarah Wilson finished with 10 to lead Toledo.
“The game is won on serving and passing at nearly every level, and we’re always looking to get better in those areas,” Olson said. “We want to be a little better when we’re out of system, we did a nice job of that last week, but we’ll need to continue fine tuning those things because they can make the difference between winning and losing.”
Ball State (11-14, 4-8 MAC) enters the weekend having snapped a five-game losing streak with a 3-0 win at Northern Illinois. The Cardinals were on the verge of sweeping the Chippewas in Central’s home opener, but the Maroon and Gold rallied from down 2-0 to take the final three sets and claim a 3-2 victory.
The Cardinals rank tenth in league offense (.1818), fourth in defense (.193) and fourth in aces (1.13). Sophomore Kelsey Brandl ranks third in the conference in hitting percentage (.352).
“We know what playing is on the road is all about,” Olson said. “We have a great atmosphere at home, but we create a lot of our own enthusiasm so we’re able to maintain a high level of energy on the road as well.”
Both matches will have live stats, courtesy of the host institutions, on cmuchippewas.com.
CMU will head down to face the Toledo Rockets on Friday at 7 p.m., before heading further south to square off against the Ball State Cardinals on Sunday at 1 p.m.
“Last weekend was great because we got great play from four different freshmen,” head coach Erik Olson said. “It gave us a better idea of what we’re made of, and it was good to have our depth tested. We’re going to continue to find the players who are playing the best, and that’s who will get an opportunity. ”
Each match grows increasingly important as teams jockey for positioning in the MAC Tournament that is now a mere two weeks away. CMU (14-8, 7-5 MAC) is tied with Northern Illinois (13-12, 7-5 MAC) for second place in the West Division, and is also tied with the Huskies for the final bye through to the quarterfinals.
The two division winners are guaranteed first round byes, and passes are also awarded to the next two teams with the best winning percentages, regardless of division.
The Chippewas have started to find their stride offensively, hitting .280 or better as a team in four of their past five matches, and are 4-1 in their past five contests.
CMU has risen to fifth in the league in offense (.222) and sits third in defense (.189) while continuing to lead the MAC in aces (1.59) by a wide margin. Krupsky sits third in the league in points per set (4.60).
Toledo (14-10, 5-7 MAC) stubbed its toe last weekend, getting swept at Northern Illinois and Western Michigan to snap a three-game win streak. UT ranks ninth offensively during league play (.181), 11th defensively (.232) and 10th in aces (0.90).
CMU didn’t manage a strong offensive day, but managed to hold UT to hitting just .144 in the first meeting, a 3-0 Chippewas victory at Rose Center. Junior Lauren Krupsky led all players with 15 kills for Central, and Sarah Wilson finished with 10 to lead Toledo.
“The game is won on serving and passing at nearly every level, and we’re always looking to get better in those areas,” Olson said. “We want to be a little better when we’re out of system, we did a nice job of that last week, but we’ll need to continue fine tuning those things because they can make the difference between winning and losing.”
Ball State (11-14, 4-8 MAC) enters the weekend having snapped a five-game losing streak with a 3-0 win at Northern Illinois. The Cardinals were on the verge of sweeping the Chippewas in Central’s home opener, but the Maroon and Gold rallied from down 2-0 to take the final three sets and claim a 3-2 victory.
The Cardinals rank tenth in league offense (.1818), fourth in defense (.193) and fourth in aces (1.13). Sophomore Kelsey Brandl ranks third in the conference in hitting percentage (.352).
“We know what playing is on the road is all about,” Olson said. “We have a great atmosphere at home, but we create a lot of our own enthusiasm so we’re able to maintain a high level of energy on the road as well.”
Both matches will have live stats, courtesy of the host institutions, on cmuchippewas.com.
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