Central Michigan University Athletics
Toledo, Ball State Next for CMU Volleyball
10/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Jared Porter, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The Central Michigan volleyball team will continue its Mid-American Conference campaign this weekend as it travels to Toledo on Friday, and then Ball State on Saturday.
The Chippewas (6-8 overall, 1-1 league) come off a 3-1 loss to Ohio last Saturday, a result that ended a five-match win streak. CMU won its MAC opener, 3-1, over Eastern Michigan the previous night.
"Our general philosophy is to be our best," coach Erik Olson said after Wednesday's practice. "We're trying to get better every day. We try to win one point at a time in matches, but we're also trying to get better. If we continue that mindset then we'll be okay."
Olson said Toledo (1-14, 0-2) is a team that should not be overlooked, despite its record.
Toledo "is a dangerous team," he said. "I don't think that's a 1-14 team at all, nor do I think we were an 0-6 team when we started the season. Toledo is very young. They've got some big kids on their side of the net. I think they're very capable, and they had a good win over a good program (Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne) in their one victory."
CMU junior middle blocker Angelique White enters the weekend leading the MAC in blocking with an average of 1.24 per set. She ranks eighth in hitting percentage at a mark of .304.
"Angie is one of our best athletes," Olson said. "She can jump about 33, 34 inches. That's pretty outstanding. She's just quick. She doesn't know how quick she really is. She's always been a great blocker, but she's developed into the best all-around blocker on the team since she's been here. She's just a freak athlete."
The Chippewas end their weekend with a matchup against Ball State (6-8, 1-1) on Saturday. The Cardinals rank fifth in the MAC in service aces with an average of 1.27 per set.
"Ball State comes in under what they are normally doing," Olson said. "I see a lot of new faces on their roster. They're young and going through that same process and journey as well. They return a setter, a good middle blocker, and a really good outside hitter that is returning from injury who is about 6 feet tall.
"Playing at Ball State, no matter how good they are, is always a tough adventure. Their winning percentage in their arena is impressive. We've had some epic matches in that arena and some great wins in the past seven years. So I expect it to be a battle."
