Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Sweep Host Phoenix at Country Inn and Suites Classic
9/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Junior Lauren Krupsky and sophomore Kaitlyn Schultz continued their torrid starts in 2009 to pace the Central Michigan volleyball team past the Green Bay Phoenix in straight sets (3-0, 25-20, 25-23, 25-21) at the Kress Center to kick off the Green Bay Country Inn and Suites Classic.
Krupsky finished with a career-high 18 kills and hit .310 to go with a pair of aces and a block. Schultz finished with 10 kills and hit .263.
"Schultz is learning the right side position right now, but she's getting good experience and is getting better each time out," head coach Erik Olson said. " Krupsky is a beast right now. She's looking like a very well trained outside who is playing very aggressively."
Setter Stephanie Budde finished with 34 assists and an impressive five aces, as well as nine digs. Senior libero Alexis Lonneman paced the Chippewas in digs with 14.
The Chippewas jumped out to a huge lead in the early going, taking a 13-2 lead in set one. The Phoenix would battle back to get within three, 21-18, but the Maroon and Gold held on for the five-point victory.
"I thought we had good poise tonight, and I think that was the best we've competed from start to finish so far this season," Olson said. "We responded really well. We had hardworking, competitive attitudes and players who knew what they were supposed to do."
CMU surged ahead for a 25-23 victory in the second set after Green Bay held a late 21-20 lead, and closed out its second victory of the season with a 25-21 win in the third set. An ace by Krupsky sealed the win.
The Maroon and Gold (2-2) hit .212 in the match, while holding Green Bay (0-4) to a .143 clip. CMU also held an edge in blocks (6-4), digs (52-46) and aces (10-4).
"I was very pleased with our passing and we did a much better serving tonight," Olson said. "Our serving is what really took controll of the match."
The Green Bay Country Inn and Suites Classic continues on Saturday, when the Chippewas face Iowa (11 a.m., CT) and South Dakota State (4:30 p.m., CT). Live stats and live video will be available on cmuchippewas.com, courtesy of greenbayphoenix.com.
