Central Michigan University
Ball State
Chippewas Drop MAC Volleyball Match at Ball State
10/5/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Jared Porter, CMUChippewas.com
MUNCIE, Ind. - Lack of execution on offense hindered the Central Michigan volleyball team Saturday night, as it dropped a 3-1 Mid-American Conference decision to Ball State.
The Chippewas are 7-9 overall, 2-2 MAC. Ball State is 9-8, 3-1.
After dropping the first set, 25-15, CMU took the second, 26-24. Ball State went on to win the third, 25-21, and the fourth, 25-18, to close out the match.
"We struggled getting things going on the attack," CMU coach Erik Olson said. "We didn't pass well and we were very uncomfortable. Passing affects offense, and we just didn't execute the way we should."
The Chippewas had 25 errors on the attack and posted a hitting percentage of .159, while the Cardinals recorded a .242 hitting percentage. CMU was held below a 60-percent sideout mark in the first, third and fourth sets.
"Ball State played very good defense," Olson said. "They're very dynamic, but there were a lot of things that we could have done better. We knew it was going to be a tough atmosphere in their arena like it always is, but our problem was that we weren't playing our volleyball."
Outside hitter Kaitlyn McIntyre led CMU in kills with 16 and added 15 digs, while setter Kylie Copple had 40 assists.
CMU tallied 12 blocks on the night, including four from outside hitter Jordan Bueter. Bueter also had 11 kills. Kristen Reenders led the Chippewas with 21 digs, while McIntyre added 15.
Hayley Benson had 15 kills to lead Ball State.
The Chippewas will play host to rival Western Michigan (10-7, 2-2) on Friday, Oct. 10.
"We just have to keep moving forward," Olson said. "It's important for us to learn from tonight and keep getting better. We know we're a better team than what we showed tonight, so we just have to move on and think about our next competition."
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