Central Michigan University
Toledo
Chippewas Sweep Toledo
11/8/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Highlights
Jared Porter, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Senior Night is better with a victory.
And a victory is what the Central Michigan volleyball team got in its Saturday evening matchup with Toledo on Senior Night at McGuirk Arena, topping the Rockets, 3-0.
The win improved CMU's record to 10-16 overall, 5-9 in the Mid-American Conference. It was the Chippewas' final home match of the season.
The Chippewas won set one, 25-17, and two, 25-18, before completing their sweep of Toledo with a 27-25 decision in the third.
CMU coach Erik Olson said he was happy with the way his team responded after Friday night's 3-1 MAC loss to Ball State.
"I thought we played very good defense tonight," Olson said. "I thought we passed the ball well. Our attackers rose to the challenge from (Friday) night in terms of making better decisions.
"We had several hitters hitting .300 (attack percentage) or above and that was a big difference. Our hitters were in better position. I challenged them to be more focused and swing with intent. I think they did a good job of that."
CMU recorded a .328 overall hitting percentage in the match while holding Toledo to .175.
Four Chippewas tallied double digits in kills, led by senior Kaitlyn McIntyre with 13. junior Angelique White and freshman Jordan Bueter totaled 11 apiece, and junior Kalle Mulford added 10.
Senior setter Danie Thompson had 38 assists and four digs.
"My passing and the defense was the key to (the team's success on the attack)," Thompson said. "Our defense put balls up that helped me and I had all three hitters available. Even if they were on double blocks, they were putting balls away. So I attribute my success tonight to the hitters."
Seniors Hallie Enderle, McIntyre and Thompson were honored for Senior Night before Saturday's match.
"Tonight was bittersweet," McIntyre said. "But it was a fun environment and there were a lot of people there. I was happy to come out with a win and obviously it feels really good."
"I wouldn't want to spend my four years anywhere else," Enderle said. "Whether the record shows it or not, there is something tremendously special about this program. I somewhat realized it tonight that I used to be so obsessed with numbers that I didn't realize how good of a person I have become. My teammates care about me and love me and need me. I don't think I can get that anywhere else."
"This has been an amazing program to come into," said Thompson, who transferred to CMU before her junior year from Illinois Central College. "I don't even know what to say because I love this team and this faculty so much. Playing my last game here, winning, it was perfect. It's been an amazing two years here."
Olson said it has been an honor for him to coach his seniors the past several years.
"These are three really awesome people," Olson said. "Enderle and McIntyre have been here since the (MAC) championship (2011). They've been part of really good and also really tough times. We've been through a lot of adversity over the last two seasons.
"Danie was part of that adversity with her injury last season. These guys haven't given up and that's the leadership we were looking for. They're some of the most awesome people I know on the planet and it's been a privilege coaching them."
At 5-9, the Chippewas hold down eighth place overall in the MAC standings. The top eight teams advance to the league tournament. They close the regular season next weekend with a road trip to Northern Illinois on Friday and to Western Michigan on Saturday.
The Huskies are 20-8, 13-1 and have already clinched the MAC West title. Western is 16-13, 7-7.
