Central Michigan University
Drake University
Five-Set Loss Ends Season-Opening Tournament for CMU
8/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
CMU-UMKC Box Score | CMU-Drake Box Score
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.comOMAHA, Neb. - A tough opening weekend, but plenty to like and plenty to build upon for the Central Michigan volleyball team.
The Chippewas fell to Missouri-Kansas City and Drake on Saturday to finish 0-3 in the season-opening Omaha Classic. CMU lost in four sets to host Nebraska-Omaha on Friday.
The Chippewas return to Mount Pleasant to welcome Marshall, Green Bay and Butler for the Chippewa Challenge on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 5-6, at McGuirk Arena.
CMU lost in three sets to UMKC, 25-23, 25-22, 25-16, then dropped a dramatic five-setter to Drake. The Chippewas won the first and third sets, 25-16 and 25-17, while Drake won the second set, 25-12, and the final two, 25-21 and 20-18.
The Chippewas were up, 14-10, in the fifth set against Drake.
"We're one swing away from putting that away and we had a couple very capable hitters with opportunities," CMU coach Erik Olson said. "All of a sudden it was tied up and we were in a slugfest.
"I'm disappointed that we lost, but very proud of our competitive work ethic in this match. Of our three matches, it was our most consistent performance of the weekend. All phases of the game were there."
Freshman Jordan Bueter continued the solid start to her collegiate career in leading the Chippewas with 19 kills against Drake. Beuter produced 36 kills in CMU's three matches in Omaha, earning a spot on the all-tournament team.
"Beuter another good match, and she was battling a sprained ankle," Olson said. "Great opening weekend for a freshman."
Kaitlyn McIntyre added 15 kills against Drake, Hallie Enderle had 14, and Angelique White finished with nine.
"Enderle, she had some clutch kills," Olson said.
CMU setter Kylie Copple, also a freshman, had 46 assists, while Kristen Reenders had a CMU-high 30 digs as the Chippewas finished with 93 in the match. Beuter added 16, while McIntyre and Nicole Czehowski finished with 14 each.
"For Reenders to get that 30 mark, that was a big match from her," Olson said. "Ninety-three digs as a team -- anytime you get close the 100 mark in a five-gamer, that's a big deal."
Nicole Woods paced Drake (3-0) with 13 kills. The Bulldogs won all three of their Omaha Classic matches in five sets.
Syndey Crimmins had 11 kills and the Kangaroos attacked at .288, an outstanding percentage, in handing the Chippewas a loss earlier on Saturday. CMU attacked at .152.
McIntyre had 10 kills to lead CMU, while Kalie Mulford added eight. Copple finished with 29 assists and Reenders made a team-high 16 digs. Dani Thompson chipped in 10 digs for CMU.
Mulford, Olson said, "was pretty fantastic and was a big part of the (Drake) match," which should help, he added, solidify the right side, one of CMU's question marks entering the season.
"We're a better team than we showed on the court this weekend," Olson said. "We got better with each match. That's what I'm looking for. They know what that competitive feel feels like now and now we need to lock that in and get the W's."
