Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Complete the Weekend With Another Sweep
10/23/2011 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Box Score | Press Conference | Highlights | Rebroadcast
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - For the first time since the 2009 season, the Central Michigan volleyball team is on a five-match winning streak following a 3-0 win Saturday against Buffalo.
The Chippewas (14-7, 7-3 Mid-American Conference) pulled away in the third set after a 4-0 run that forced the Bulls (9-15, 2-8 MAC) into a timeout trailing 13-10. Following the timeout UB cut the set to 19-18, but the Chippewas went on a 6-0 run and claimed set three, 25-19.
"All of our passers did a really good job tonight," said CMU head coach Erik Olson. "Buffalo is a nice passing team that really makes you work. We constantly had to be focused on serve receipts because of their serving abilities."
The night began with the Chippewas behind early in set one. They took the lead at the 13-12 point following a kill by Kaitlyn McIntyre. The Maroon and Gold went on a 4-0 run with a kill by VerVelde and an ace by McIntyre forcing UB into timeout when it was trailing 16-13. CMU would push its lead to 19-17, then closed the set on a 7-0 run with kills by four different Chippewas to claim a 25-17 set one win.
The home team fell behind early in set two before claiming a 9-8 lead from which it wouldn't look back. Back-to-back block assists from Danielle Gotham and VerVelde pushed the lead to 19-14, and behind the serve of Jenna Coates the Chippewas went on a 6-1 run to win the second set 25-15.
The Chippewas and Bulls traded points to begin the third set, until the 10-10 point when CMU was able to grab a lead and win the set to complete the sweep.
Guiding the Chippewas' offense was Schultz, who tallied eight kills and hit .667. Lindsey Dulude and VerVelde both added seven kills with VerVelde tailing four block assists and one solo block. Kelly Maxwell piloted the offense with 27 assists, while Jenna Coates, for the second straight night, had a match-high 19 digs.
CMU out-hit its opponent .298 to .135 and tallied seven blocks compared to UB's four.
With the win the Chippewas have swept back-to-back teams for the first time since September of last year. They have also won seven out of their last eight matches.
The Maroon and Gold will begin the second half of MAC West Division play next weekend with home matches against Western Michigan and Northern Illinois.
"We have good team confidence right now," said Olson. "It doesn't really matter what happens in a match, we are going to persevere and get through it. I think that we have some big matches coming up, but that is what this is all about. It is about getting better and better and seeing how good you can be come tournament time."
