Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Eye Volleyball Rebound
10/15/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - With all due respect, the competition wasn't necessarily the issue last weekend for the Central Michigan volleyball team when it dropped Mid-American Conference matches to Western Michigan and Northern Illinois.
"Friday night (against Western) was finishing and Saturday night, we just didn't play, we just didn't show up for the first two sets, and you can't do that against a team like Northern," CMU coach Erik Olson said. "It's one of those things where I hope with more games under our belt the next time we play them we can match up much better.
"It wasn't tactics, it wasn't physicality, that was just us not being ready to compete. I was visibly upset with my team Saturday night and it was only really the only time I have been this year.
"I can understand learning and growing pains, those types of things. But you've got to make sure that you show every night and you're ready to put your best foot forward and you fight hard every single play."
The Chippewas will have to wait until the final weekend of the regular season for another crack at the Broncos and Huskies.
CMU's immediate concern is how it responds when it takes the court this weekend for home MAC matches against Bowling Green and Miami (Ohio).
The Falcons visit McGuirk Arena on Thursday, while Miami comes in on Saturday. It's a departure from the routine Friday-Saturday MAC weekend.
While "not a fan" of changing the rhythm - no coach is - Olson said the switch may actually benefit the Chippewas to a small degree. "We were forced into that just because we have so much going on on campus this week," he said. "Our opponent has the same situation, and they're traveling.
"It'll give you a chance to fully prepare for the first opponent, then have a full practice to get ready for the second opponent. So in some ways it's an advantage."
Last weekend's two losses left the Chippewas 7-11 overall, 2-4 MAC. They are tied for fourth in the West Division with Eastern Michigan.
Bowling Green is 4-14, 1-5, while Miami is 10-8, 3-3. The Falcons split their two league matches last weekend, beating Kent State and falling to Ohio. The win over Kent State snapped a four-match losing streak.
Miami also earned a split last weekend, beating Kent State and falling to Ohio.
No matter who is on the other side of the net, the chief concern this week for Olson is maroon and gold.
"I think the key this weekend is making sure our focus is on the right thing, which is the game," Olson said Tuesday after practice. "We've got to be strong at the end (of sets) and put it down. We're working on a lot of different things in terms of our defense and our sideouts. We got better today in terms of being tougher on our sideouts.
"But what are they going to do under the pressure? That's the question."
