Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Home Thursday, Saturday to Open MAC Play
9/25/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
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Jared Porter, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - After a lackluster 0-6 start to the Central Michigan volleyball team's season, coach Erik Olson said CMU lacked the right mentality; They played tight and too cautious because they were caught up in the word "win."
Olson said he preached to his team that volleyball is a "process." If his team could focus on the little things in matches, then winning would come as a byproduct.
Since then, the Chippewas (5-7) have continually improved the little things and -- in the process -- have won five of their last six outings, including a 3-0 sweep last weekend that gave them the championship of the Cincinnati Invitational. They ride a four-match win streak as they enter Mid American Conference play Thursday at home against Eastern Michigan. They play host to Ohio on Saturday.
"We've been doing the right things in practice," Olson said after practice Wednesday. "That's why more things have been going our way. Now that this team knows what it can achieve and will achieve, it makes them even hungrier."
Olson said the Chippewas' recent success would not lead to complacency. He has challenged them this week in practice to continue improving all facets of their game.
"We have plenty of room to develop and be an even better team," Olson said. "We're continuing to look for a better connection with our setters. We're also working out some passing issues, and that will probably be a season-long thing. Volleyball is won by the best servers and the best passers, no matter what level you're on.
"Blocking against different schemes is also something we've focused on. We continue to work on exposing the team to different looks. It will help us down the road, but also this weekend."
Eastern Michigan (8-5) has dropped three of its last four matches, including a 3-0 loss to Michigan in their most recent outing.
Eagles' junior Stacey Perinar has recorded 164 kills on the season. Her kill average of 3.28 per set ranks fourth in the MAC.
The Chippewas wrap up weekend play against Ohio (7-4) on Saturday night. The Bobcats play at Kent State on Thursday.
"We're going to go out and try to play our best volleyball against anyone we play," Olson said. "People always talk about the importance of getting off to good starts in conference play. That's not necessarily our mindset.
"We treat every game as if it's the most important. We won't let one win or one loss define our season. Whether it's our first, second, third MAC match, it doesn't matter. What matters is playing at our best with consistency and how we respond when things don't do our way."
Senior outside hitter Kaitlyn McIntyre looks to continue her standout play as the Chippewas enter this week's competition. She was awarded MAC West Division Player of the Week on Monday after an MVP-claiming performance in the Cincinnati invitational.
"It's an honor to win player of the week," McIntyre said. "I attribute it to my teammates and my setter. They were all really awesome last weekend.
"We have good competition (Thursday) and Saturday. Eastern Michigan is scrappy and you never know what they're going to bring. But we're 0-0 in the conference right now and we're going to do what we can to win. The key for us to is pass well and run our middles and right sides. If we do that, then I think we'll be set."
