Central Michigan University Athletics
Bobcats Outlast Chippewas in 2010 Home Opener
9/26/2010 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Box Score | Olson Postgame | Photo Gallery | Highlights
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Over 1,500 fans packed Finch Fieldhouse for the Central Michigan volleyball regular season home opener but the defending Mid-American Conference champion Ohio Bobcats spoiled the party with a 3-2 win on Saturday.
The Chippewas (6-8, 0-2 MAC) and Bobcats (10-5, 2-0 MAC) were about as evenly matched as it gets, with each of the first sets being decided by a 25-23 margin (23-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-23, 15-11).
Sophomore Katie Schuette put together an outstanding effort with 10 kills and hit .353. Senior Lauren Krupsky and sophomore Lindsey Dulude paced CMU's offense with 14 kills each.
The Maroon and Gold jumped out to a 10-4 lead to get Finch Fieldhouse in a lather in the first set, but the Green and White responded to draw within two at 12-10.
The two sides were even at 15 and again at 20 before CMU held on to take a 1-0 lead.
In the second set CMU opened up a 17-10 lead but OU once again came storming back to even the score at 19 and took a 22-20 lead thanks to a 12-5 run before Sue Jacobi, the league's leader in kills, evened up the match at a point apiece.
It was Ohio that took control early in the third set, holding a 17-12 lead before Central Michigan answered with a 6-1 run to tie the frame at 18. Tied at 21, the Bobcats committed back-to-back attack errors and kills by Dulude and Krupsky finished off the set to give the Chippewas a 2-1 lead.
The Bobcats were able to hold the Chippewas at arms length down the stretch in the fourth set to send it into the deciding fifth frame, and a 6-1 run midway through the fifth set ultimately hamstrung the Maroon and Gold.
Senior libero Lisa Johnson finished with a match-best 14 digs and junior setter Catherine Ludwig had 49 assists. Kaitlyn Schultz and Dulude had four blocks each.
Jacobi finished with a match-best 17 kills to lead the Ohio attack. Libero Meryl Bender had a team-best 12 digs.
CMU hit .222 as a squad compared to a .233 mark for OU. The Bobcats benefited from 10 aces, but also committed 18 service errors.
The Chippewas look to snap a two-match skid as MAC play continues next week against Ball State and Toledo.
