Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewa Volleyball Goes to EMU, Hosts Kent State
9/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- With the Mid-American Conference season in full swing, The Central Michigan volleyball team is gearing up for another weekend of MAC competition.
The Chippewas, 6-9, 1-1 in the MAC, will get off to an early start with a Thursday evening matchup at Eastern Michigan, 8-7, 0-2.
EMU ranks second in the MAC in opponent hitting percentage (.196), assists per set (12.04), and digs per set (16.15). CMU ranks third in the conference in hitting percentage (.217) and blocks per set (2.23).
"Eastern came out of the season with a pretty decent RPI, they've looked pretty good on film," said CMU coach Erik Olson, whose team has won three of its last four starts. "They returned most of their hitters and have a very good libero. I think she is No. 1 or No. 2 in the conference in my opinion."
The Eagles senior libero, Corynne Smith, ranks No. 2 in the MAC with a 5.04 digs per set ratio. CMU's libero Jamie Wolffis is seventh at 4.15.
"We want to make sure we take care of the ball so that we can have as many options as possible," Olson said. " When you start to get into a one-dimensional offense then that libero starts to really hurt you."
The Chippewas will aim to carry the momentum gained from Saturday's five-set victory over Western Michigan into Thursday's match against EMU.
Aided by a 16-kill effort by sophomore Jessica Meichtry, the Chippewas rallied to defeat the Broncos in Kalamazoo for the first time since 2006.
"I feel really comfortable out there right now," Meichtry said. "I feel like our back row is doing a really good job bringing up balls, and our setters are doing a great job of getting us one-on-one opportunities.
"I think we are doing pretty well right now in the MAC. Our team chemistry is off the charts, we all get along together and I think it's starting to show on the court."
The Chippewas will return home Saturday for an 8 p.m. matchup with Kent State in McGuirk Arena. The Golden Flashes are 7-7, 1-1.
KSU outside hitters Kelsey Bittinger and Kelley Hutchison rank third and fifth, respectively, in the conference in kills per set.
"I know that they have a very good middle, and the outsides have done some really good things," Olson said. "Each week I see their player of the week nominees and they have definitely put up some good numbers so far.
"We're excited to play them, but the thing for our team is to just focus on going play-to-play and set-to-set, that's important because with the youth on this team can sometimes look ahead to much."
