Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Stun Eagles 3-2
9/30/2011 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Box Score | Match Highlights | Post Match Interview | Match Rebroadcast
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Kaitlyn Schultz had a season high 21 kills, as she guided the Central Michigan volleyball team to a 3-2 victory, after trailing 0-2, in the team's first home game of the season.
Following an Eagles' (13-4, 1-2) timeout in the fifth set, and the score 8-6 in favor of the Chippewas (8-6, 1-2), Val DeWeerd notched two kills making the lead 10-6. Lindsey Dulude added one of her 13 kills following an EMU point making the score 11-7. Schultz did the rest of work as she reeled off two more kills including the final dagger to give CMU a 15-9 set five win.
"Once we found our groove tonight, I thought we played pretty darn well," said head coach Erik Olson. "McGuirk is a great facility, especially when we got things rocking and rolling. I have really been challenging the team to step up to the big moments. I want our team to play, and I think we played really well. In game five I just set back and let the team play and they played great."
The night began with Olson being recognized for his 100th win, recorded back on August 27. Set one opened up with Schultz hammering down the first kill in McGuirk Arena. The Chippewas forced the Eagles into a timeout after building their lead 12-6. EMU responded putting together a run and tying the set at 21. Both teams traded points and the contest was once again tied at 24. Two attack errors by the Maroon and Gold handed EMU the first set 26-24.
EMU carried its momentum into the second set jumping out to an 11-7 lead following four straight kills. CMU closed the gap at 11-10 with a kill by Dulude. Later in the set, two straight aces by EMU's Kristen Baker forced the Chippewas into a timeout trailing 20-16. After the timeout two back-to-back kills from DeWeerd closed the gap to 20-18. That would be as close as CMU got as the Eagles ran away with a 25-22 set two win.
Set three was close the whole way through, with neither team gaining more then a two-point advantage. With the score at 24-23 and the Eagles looking at match point, Kaitlyn McIntyre placed a ball on the line and gave the Chippewas the spark they needed tying the set at 24. EMU responded with a kill by Rachel Iaquaniello, but an Eagle attack error and a strong kill from Danielle Gotham gave CMU a 27-25 win.
The Chippewas rode that momentum into the fourth set as Dulude and Schultz teamed up for four early kills and an 8-5 lead. CMU finished the set on a 9-2 run following three kills by Schultz, who ended the set on an ace, and handed the home team a 25-16 win.
EMU scored the first point in the final set but the Maroon and Gold quickly responded jumping out to a 7-3 lead. Schultz had three of her 21 kills in the final set as the Chippewas took the match in a 15-9 set five win.
Along with her 21 kills, Schultz hit a season high .462 and had four block assists. Dulude, McIntyre and Gotham all had 13 kills with DeWeerd adding 11 kills and six block assists. Kelly Maxwell had career high 62 assists while Jenna Coates had a career high 28 digs.
CMU hit a season high .292 hitting percentage and out blocked the Eagles 10-5. For the second straight Mid-American Conference contest, the Chippewas have out-dug their opponent 76-60. CMU has now out-dug the top three digging teams in the conference and for all three matches Coates has been the high dig leader.
The Chippewas will wrap up a busy Saturday in CMU athletics with a home contest against Kent State at 8 p.m. inside McGuirk Arena.
