Volleyball Hits the Road, Eyes MAC Tourney Berth
11/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — The formula is simple: win a game and punch your ticket to the Mid-American Conference Tournament.
This is the scenario the Central Michigan volleyball team faces heading into the final two games of the season.
The Chippewas (11-16 overall, 6-8 MAC) are slated for a Friday night matchup at Toledo (5-22, 2-12) followed by a match at Ball State (13-15, 7-7) on Saturday.
CMU is tied for seventh the overall MAC standings. The top eight teams qualify for the tournament.
Several factors will come into play in determining the Chippewas' fate if they don't secure at least one victory on the weekend.
Associate head coach Theresa Beeckman isn't getting caught up in that.
"There is a team on the other side of the net and referees and all kinds of things we don't control," Beeckman said. "We just talked about the things we can control. It's not like we're going 'Oh we have to beat Toledo.' It's about being the very best we can be and the results will take care of themselves."
Health has been a major obstacle for the Chippewas in the later stages of the season, with threes starters either missing time or playing through nagging injuries.
Senior middle blocker Angie White has been sidelined since Oct. 23 with an ankle injury. Her return this season remains in question.
Sophomore outside hitter Jordan Bueter missed two matches with injury and senior middle blocker Kalle Mulford has been playing through knee soreness the last few weeks.
"She (Kalle) is in her fourth year as a middle blocker and you just start to get a little tired," Beeckman said. "She's not in danger of hurting herself, but she is in some pain and we are just trying to manage that the best we can."
In what has been as season filled with ups and downs and plenty of adversity for the Chippewas, Beeckman stressed the importance of not letting an opportunity to compete in the MAC tournament slip away, especially for the younger players.
"I just hope they seize this opportunity," she said. "Any time you're lucky enough to go to the MAC Tournament it is giant. I hope they drive this year, its not about next year, it's about this moment right now.
"Especially with what we have gone through this season, it would be so great and I want it so bad for them."
