Volleyball Downs Akron, Hosts Buffalo on Saturday
10/23/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Volleyball is a game of momentum and momentum shifts.
The Central Michigan Volleyball team was able to withstand several momentum shifts Friday, beating Akron, 3-1, in a Mid-American Conference match at McGuirk Arena.
The win improves CMU to 10-12 overall with a 5-4 clip in the conference, marking the first time the Chippewas have held a winning record in the MAC this season.
The Chippewas, who have won four of their last five matches, put on a dominant showing in set 1, winning 25-17.
The roles reversed in set two when Akron (7-15, 1-8) responded with a 25-17 victory. CMU regrouped in set three, winning 25-12. Central Michigan found itself trailing, 17-14, late in the fourth set. The Chippewas were able to rally, winning 25-22 to take the match.
"We talked about Akron having an outstanding work ethic on defense," said associate head coach Theresa Beeckman. "That turned out to be true, especially in sets two and four, we had to work really hard.
"I think when we see that (late deficit) we kind of rev our engines a little bit, we all look at each other and are like, 'lets go,'" outside hitter Jordan Bueter said.
CMU finished with .257 hitting percentage and 62 percent side-out percentage. Akron finished at .147 and 51 percent.
The Chippewas were without senior middle blocker Angie White, who sat out with an ankle injury. Sophomore Paige Carey got the start in her place.
"She is just a little hobbled, she has some ankle stuff going on, its been off and on pretty much all season," Beeckman said. "We just wanted to take this opportunity and try to get her a little more healthy going down the stretch."
Carey had a career-high eight blocks in White's absence. The Chippewas held a 21-9 edge in blocks.
The CMU attack was lead by Bueter and Jessica Meichtry, another sophomore outside hitter. Both finished with 13 kills and a .333 hitting percentage. Bueter also had 14 digs, sharing the team lead with freshman libero Jamison Wolffis.
Taylor Robertson finished with 11 kills. Kalle Mulford had seven on a team-high .429 hitting percentage.
Also for CMU, setter Kathia Sanchez finished with 45 assists.
Anna Wenger led the Zips with 13 kills, while Amanda Bedell added 10.
The Chippewas return to McGuirk Arena Saturday for another MAC match with Buffalo at 7 p.m.
The Bulls (4-17, 3-6) snapped a four-match losing streak with a 3-2 victory at Eastern Michigan on Friday.
