Central Michigan University
Evansville
Chippewas Fall in 'Challenge' Opener
9/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- The Central Michigan volleyball team went into McGuirk Arena with a full head of steam Friday, but came away empty handed, falling to Evansville, 3-1, in the opening round of the Chippewa Invitational.
CMU moves to 3-8 with the loss. Evansville improves to 6-6.
The Chippewas treated the home crowd to an impressive first set, downing the Purple Aces, 25-22.
Evansville responded with victories in three straight sets, 25-18, 25-22, and 25-20 to take the match.
"Well after set one our defense dropped off," CMU coach Erik Olson said. "We stopped making stops, we stopped making blocks, and we stopped making digs."
Evansville finished with a 69 percent side out percentage in the match.
Sophomore outside hitter Jordan Bueter battled accuracy and serving issues throughout the match, committing six serving errors and five attack errors.
"I tapped her a little bit in between sets two and three, she loosened up, she had a rough set two, but she got better," Olson said.
Taylor Robertson led the Chippewas on the attack with 15 kills and a .375 hitting percentage.
Junior setter Kathia Sanchez had a solid night at the setter position racking up 43 assists and chipping in defensively with two blocks and 11 digs.
"Her decisions are really good right now," Olson said. "We thought she utilized Taylor (Robertson) really well tonight."
The Chippewas will return to action on Saturday as they take on San Jose State at 12:30 p.m., then will play Nebraska-Omaha at 7:30.
San Jose State defeated Nebraska-Omaha, 3-1, on Friday afternoon.
"San Jose State looked good today," Olson said. " We just have to go regroup and put together a nice report for the team and go out and execute."
Nebraska-Omaha will play Evansville on Saturday at 10 a.m., and Evansville will take on San Jose State at 5 p.m.
