Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Head to Oakland For The Weekend
8/31/2011 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oakland Live Stats | Wright State Stats
Follow CMU Volleyball on Twitter for Live Updates
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The Central Michigan volleyball team will travel to Oakland this weekend to compete in the Oakland Tournament. It will open up with the host school at 7 p.m. Friday night, followed by Wright State Saturday at noon.
The Golden Grizzlies enter the week at 2-1 and will play Mid-American Conference opponent Eastern Michigan Wednesday night. Last weekend they competed in the Blue-Gold Invitational in Toledo, Ohio where they defeated Niagara (3-2) and Wright State (3-1) but fell to Toledo (3-1). Meghan Bray and Brittany Holbrook, who are averaging 3.85 and 3.08 kills/set respectively, are leading the Oakland offense.
A quick turnaround will have the Chippewas back in action Saturday against the Raiders. They also opened their season up at the Blue-Gold Invitation dropping matches to Toledo (3-0), Oakland (3-1), Niagara (3-0). On Tuesday night they fell to IPFW (3-0). Heidi Splinter is guiding their offense with 2.62 kills/set.
CMU saw Danielle Gotham earn All-Tournament honors at the Hawkeye Challenge, leading the team in blocks with 13. The Chippewas hit just .116 as a team during the season's opening weekend, compared to a .138 set by their opponents. Kaitlyn McIntyre leads the team in digs, averaging 2.60/set, and in kills, at 26. Guiding the team in assists is Kelly Maxwell who finished the weekend with 69 (8.62/set).
The Oakland Tournament is the second of four-consecutive tournaments CMU will participate in to start off the 2011 season.
Game Notes
Against the Field - The Chippewas are near perfect against the Golden Grizzlies with a 24-1 record, and hold a slight 3-2 edge over the Raiders
Saint Louis Sets Records - In CMU's lone win against Saint Louis, it became the 100th career win for head coach Erik Olson, and the highest RPI (56) win against a non-conference opponent in Olson's career.
Brick Wall - Gotham had a career high nine block assists against Iowa over the past weekend. She currently sits fifth in the MAC averaging 1.18 blocks/set.
Debuts - Gotham, along side McIntyre, combined for 46 out of the team 126 kills this weekend. Gotham missed all of last year due to an injury, while McIntyre was making her first collegiate debut.
