Central Michigan University
Toledo
Chippewas Battle, But Fall in 3 to Toledo
10/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — The Central Michigan volleyball team could not find an answer for Toledo on Thursday as it was swept, 3-0, in a Mid-American Conference tilt at McGuirk Arena.
The Chippewas drop to 9-14 overall with a 3-8 mark in conference play. Toledo moves to 13-10, 6-5.
"I felt like our heart was there, our fight was there, we just need to find a way to get our execution to match that," said CMU coach Mike Gawlik.
The Chippewas came out of the gates slow dropping the opening two sets, 25-17 and 25-13,m prompting Gawlik to make some offensive adjustments.
"I went in to a 6-2 offense and wanted to get Kelli Combs on the floor," he said. "I like her passion and her energy and I thought she did an excellent job off the bench. That's how you earn more playing time, nailing the playing time you do get."
Combs, a sophomore setter, finished with nine assists and five digs.
CMU battled back in set three had Toledo against the ropes, pushing the Rockets to a set point twice before eventually falling, 32-30.
"I think those are the moments that you can tell what happens when we start to come together," said junior outside hitter Jordan Bueter, who finished with a team-high 12 kills. "We seem to capitalize better in set three so going forward we are trying to turn that into our set one so we can build and get better from there."
Senior Kathia Sanchez led CMU with 22 assists from the setter position and finished with a team-best .235 hitting percentage to go along with eight kills.
Freshman libero Megan Kern led CMU's defense, digging 19 balls.
CMU finished the match with a .131 hitting percentage compared to the .264 posted by Toledo.
Rachel Vidourek led the Toledo attack with 13 kills. Annie Beasley finished with 10.
CMU will close out its weekend homestand on Saturday with a league matchup with Ball State (9-15, 5-5) at 7 p.m.
"I think you'll see a pretty good match on Saturday," Gawlik. "We are going to be prepared and try and put ourselves in the best position to get a split on our weekend."
