Central Michigan University Athletics
Maroon and Gold Match on Tap for Saturday
8/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the Chippewas' new home, McGuirk Arena, at 3 p.m.
Saturday's scrimmage will be CMU's only appearance on its home floor until Sept. 29. The Maroon and Gold open the 2011 regular season with 13-consecutive road matches.
"I am looking for this scrimmage to firm up some ideas we have," said head coach Erik Olson. "There are some tough competitions going on between the setters and the outside hitters. We may not have a set lineup after Saturday but we will have a better idea heading to Iowa."
All week CMUChippewas.com has been previewing the 2011 squad, with only the setter position remaining. This position has become a heated battle early in the season.
Senior Catherine Ludwig was the team's starting setter from a season ago. She averaged 10.4 sets/assists from a year ago but is in tough battle with sophomore Kelly Maxwell who has started off very strong in the first few days of camp. Maxwell saw limited action last season with an average 4.19 sets/assists in the 16 sets played.
The setters have had the luxury of working with a new face this season in assistant coach Theresa Beeckman. Beeckman brings 10-plus years of experience and is working specifically with the setters.
"They are learning a lot right now, and it is going to be interesting to see who emerges out of preseason as our leading setter," Olson said.
The Chippewas will open their regular season against Iowa on Aug. 26 at 8 p.m., at the Iowa Invitational.
