Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Cap Furious Rally in 3-2 Comeback Over Huskies
11/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Box Score
DeKALB, Ill. -- A furious comeback allowed Central Michigan to win the final three sets and erase a 2-0 hole to pick up a 3-2 win (18-25, 16-25, 25-23, 25-23, 15-9) over Northern Illinois in the Mid-American Conference regular season finale at Victor E. Court on Saturday.
The Chippewas (14-14, 8-8 MAC) are locked in as the No. 6 seed in next week's MAC Tournament and will host No. 11 Miami in Finch Fieldhouse on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Huskies (26-5, 11-5 MAC) earned a bye through to the quarterfinals on Nov. 19.
"We had to change our passing system, we gave Northern Illinois a different look and it worked," head coach Erik Olson said. "We played well once we made those changes and we served tough tonight."
Junior Kaitlyn Schultz finished with 15 kills and hit .294 with five blocks. Sophomore Lindsey Dulude added 13 kills and senior Lauren Krupsky 12, but the biggest change came defensively.
NIU hit over .330 in each of the first two sets, dominating CMU, but after the break Central Michigan held Northern Illinois below .190 in each of the final three frames.
"We took control in the match by passing better and letting our setter go to work," Olson said. "When you run a balanced attack its tougher on your opponent. We had some players catch on in the second half tonight, and that's good to see against a tough opponent."
Sophomore Jenna Coates, who took over at libero to start the third set, had a match-best 18 digs. Senior Lisa Johnson added 12 digs.
"Jenna was phenominal tonight. She passed well and she was able to adapt to some things that we asked her to do that she hadn't done all year," Olson said. "She was also very tough at the service line. She showed what she was made of tonight and just how good she can be."
The Chippewas couldn't stop the Huskies through two frames, with the Red and Black holding leads as big as eight in the first set and 11 late in the second set.
After the break, CMU looked like a different team. Up 9-8, the Maroon and Gold used a 6-1 run to take a 15-9 lead. Central Michigan's resolve was tested, as Northern Illinois scored seven straight to take a 16-15 lead, but CMU responded with five straight points and held on to start the comeback trail.
The Huskies opened the fourth with an 8-4 lead, but it was the Chippewas who used a big run to take a lead this time, scoring seven consecutive tallies for an 11-8 edge.
NIU tied the set at 16, but CMU scored the next two points and would hold Northern Illinois at bay down the stretch to send it to a fifth and deciding set.
Riding a wave of momentum, the Chippewas never trailed in the fifth frame. They extended their lead to as many as six before closing out the match and completing the comeback.
Freshman Lauren Wicinski led all players with 21 kills for NIU and libero Maddie Hughes equaled Coates' effort with 18 digs. While Wicinsky had a great match, hitting .359, the rest of the Huskies hit just .173.
The win is Central Michigan's first in five sets this season (1-5, 1-4 in MAC play).
Seeding for MAC Tournament
1. Ball State (14-2)$
2. Ohio (10-6)$
3. Western Michigan (12-4)
4. Northern Illinois (11-5)
5. Eastern Michigan (10-6)
6. Central Michigan (8-8)
7. Akron (7-9)
8. Toledo (6-10)
9. Kent State (6-10)
10. Buffalo (5-11)
11. Miami (5-11)
12. Bowling Green (2-14)
