Central Michigan University
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Western Michigan
Chippewas Fall in 5 to Western Michigan
10/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — "Improvise, adapt and overcome."
This was the closing uttered by associate head coach Theresa Beeckman following the Central Michigan volleyball team's five-set Mid-American Conference loss to Western Michigan Friday at McGuirk Arena.
A Chippewa team that prides itself on its ability to handle adversity has made this season more than just about winning and losing.
"It can't just be about volleyball, it has to be about what people are you developing after the fact," Beeckman said. "This team, has not for one second all season, made one single excuse or felt sorry for themselves and I just really wanted them to get that win."
The Chippewas slipped to 10-14 on the season with a 5-6 mark in the MAC. Western Michigan moves to 11-15, 7-4.
The Chippewas, who beat the Broncos in Kalamazoo earlier in the season, took the opening set, 25-23. WMU responded with victories in sets two and three, 25-16, 25-20. The Broncos took the fifth and deciding set, 15-11.
CMU was without two integral pieces in the starting lineup. Senior middle blocker Angie White and sophomore outside hitter Jordan Bueter were both on the bench with injuries.
Sophomore outside hitters Taylor Robertson and Jessica Meichtry were tasked with replacing the production normally provided by Bueter, who leads the team in kills.
"Overall all I think they both played outstanding," Beeckman said of Robertson and Meichtry. "That's the first time Taylor has hit from that side in a game in a long time, the first time at this level and it was outstanding."
Robertson posted a team-high 20 kills with a .218 hitting percentage. Meichtry had 17 kills.
"I think we all stepped up tonight honestly," said Robertson, a sophomore. "I thought we did a good job of executing, obviously we didn't have the result that we wanted, but I think we did a good job of adapting."
Paige Carey, who started for White at the middle blocker position, led the Chippewas with five blocks.
Junior setter Kathia Sanchez tallied 46 assists for CMU, while freshman libero Jamie Wolffis had 22 digs.
Bailey Schnell led Western with 18 kills.
The Chippewas return to McGuirk Arena on Saturday at 7 p.m. to take on Northern Illinois in a MAC match. The Huskies, who defeated Eastern Michigan, 3-0, on Friday, lead the MAC West at 9-2. They are 13-10 overall.
