Central Michigan University
Bowling Green
Chippewas Fall in 3 to Bowling Green
10/15/2016 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — The Central Michigan volleyball team couldn't stop the bleeding Saturday, as it fell to Bowling Green in straight sets in a Mid-American Conference matchup at McGuirk Arena.
The Chippewas, who were swept in Friday night's match by MAC East-leading Miami (Ohio), have dropped three consecutive league matches and slip to 8-12 overall, 2-6 in the conference. Bowling Green is 15-6, 5-3.
"It was a frustrating match for us," CMU coach Mike Gawlik said. "When we were talking down in the locker room, I felt kind of like déjà vu. Everything was similar to (Friday) night and I don't mean that in an incredibly positive way.
"We need to be willing to make some changes in the way we go about our business. I put it on our juniors and seniors to kind of step up and drive this ship in a different direction."
CMU came out of the gates slow dropping the opening set, 25-14. The Chippewas were more competitive in sets two and three, but could not find enough sustained momentum, falling, 25-20 and 25-18.
The Chippewas hit just .144 in the match compared to the .343 clip posted by the Falcons. CMU committed 16 attack errors and BGSU had nine.
"I have a lot of respect for Bowling Green, I thought they played a great match," Gawlik said. "My hat goes off to them and their preparation to really make us earn every single point we had."
The Central Michigan attack was frustrated much of the match by Bowling Green libero Madeline Garda, who finished with 18 digs.
"Yeah (Garda) is actually nationally ranked right now, so she's tough," said CMU junior outside hitter Jordan Bueter. "I just think as whole, we needed to stick to our scouting report a little bit more."
Bueter and freshmen middle blocker Jayla Wesley each had seven kills to lead CMU offensively. Wesley finished with a season-high .700 hitting percentage.
"Attacking wise, I felt pretty confident tonight," said Wesley. "There was still other areas I could have capitalized on, but we can only go forward from here."
Senior setter Kathia Sanchez led CMU with 22 assists and freshman libero Megan Kern totaled 13 digs to lead CMU defensively.
Jelena Sunjic led the Bowling Green attack with 13 kills. Isabel Kovacic added 11.
With just eight games remaining in the in the MAC schedule, Gawlik said the time is now to make changes
"There is still time to make changes and make a run," said Gawlik. "I left (the team) with the message that our goals haven't changed. We've gone 2-6 in the first half but I think our team is capable, with the right mindset, of turning that around."
The Chippewas are back in action next Friday as they travel to Buffalo (x-x, x-x) to continue MAC competition.
