Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Duquesne
Chippewas Rebound, Win Tourney Finale
8/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Cullen Maksmowski, CMUChippewas.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Central Michigan Volleyball team picked up its first win of the 2016 season Saturday, defeating Duquesne, 3-0, in the Chippewas' final game of the IUPUI Hampton Inn Invitation
The Chippewas (1-2) dropped a three-setter to host IUPUI, 3-0, in their first match of the day.
The victory over Duquesne was the first for first-year CMU coach Mike Gawlik, who came to CMU after 11 years as an assistant at Michigan State.
"It was an exciting moment for not only myself but the team as a whole," Gawlik said. "I think the biggest takeaway is that we're starting a new era here, and the win over Duquesne shows that were improving and getting closer to where we want to be.
"I've wanted to be a coach for a long time and it's exciting to see this team play well and start to move towards those yearlong goals we have in place."
The Chippewas defeated the Dukes, 25-21, 27-25, 29-27 after dropping its first two matches of the tournament, to Southern Illinois and to the host Jaguars, in straight sets.
"We had some challenges early and faced two very quality teams that really tested our abilities," Gawlik said. "I was pleased that we were able to improve and get better throughout the tournament and I really think we started to play some of our best volleyball in that third match."
Central Michigan finished with a .254 hitting percentage and a season-high 11 blocks against Duquesne. The Dukes finished at .212 and recorded just one block.
It was all-around offensive effort in the win as four Chippewas -- Jordan Bueter, Laura Willson, Jessica Meichtry and Paige Carey - finished with nine kills each. Wilson, a sophomore outside hitter who finished with 16 kills and an attack percentage of .378 in six sets in the tournament, was named to the all-tournament team.
"I'm real pleased with the amount of depth that we have on this team," Gawlik said. "If you look at the box scores we had a lot of different players contributing and that is encouraging because it shows me that we're not the type of team that has to rely on one or two players."
Both Carey and sophomore defensive specialist Courtney Hiltibran led CMU on the defensive end. Hiltibran had a team-leading 11 digs while Carey finished with 10 kills to go along with her five blocks.
Senior setter Kathia Sanchez led CMU with 23 assists, while Marissa Grant added 13.
Bueter had a team-high 11 kills in the Chippewas' 26-24, 25-22, 25-21 loss earlier on Saturday to IUPUI. Sanchez had 15 assists, while she and Hiltibran finished with 12 digs apiece.
The Chippewas return to action on Saturday, Sept. 3 as they travel to East Lansing for the Michigan State Auto Owners Insurance Spartan Invitational. CMU will face the host Spartans and Florida on Saturday, and will take on Morgan State on Sunday, Sept. 4.
