Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Face NIU in Home Opener
9/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — It's been more than a month since the 2016 season began and the Central Michigan volleyball team has yet to play in front of its home supporters at McGuirk Arena.
That changes this weekend when the Chippewas (6-8 overall, 0-2 in the Mid-American Conference) hit their home court against Northern Illinois (10-4, 2-0) in league matchup at 7 p.m. on Friday. On Sunday (3 p.m.), the Chippewas will entertain Western Michigan (5-10, 0-2).
Western, which plays at Eastern Michigan on Friday, having lost it last two starts.
"It's nice to get some home cooking, sleep in our own beds, and not live out of a suitcase like we have been all season," CMU coach Mike Gawlik said.
Gawlik, who is in his first season at the helm of the program, will coach his first game in McGuirk Arena on Friday.
"I'm just excited to be back and that we get to play in front of our home fans," he said. "We've had a pretty good parent presence on the road, but we know there are a lot of people in the community that are excited to see us and the brand of volleyball we're going to bring to the table."
The Chippewas will have their work cut out for them, facing a Huskie team that has been a consistent force in the conference over the last few seasons. NIU is the two-time defending MAC West champion and in 2015 was the overall conference champ.
NIU, which fell to Ohio last season in the MAC Tournament championship game, is coached by four-time MAC Coach of the Year Ray Gooden. They come in riding a five-match win streak, rank first in the league in blocks (2.62) and opponent hitting percentage (.178), and are second in hitting percentage (.243).
"(NIU) is one of the standards in the conference in terms of continued success," said Gawlik. "They bring a 6-2 offense to the table which puts a lot pressure on your block.
"It's a challenge to get them out of their system. We need eliminate attackers with our serve-receive and our attack to limit their offensive opportunities."
The Chippewas rank fourth in the MAC in hitting percentage at .226.
NIU's middle blocker Jenna Radtke leads the MAC in hitting percentage at .414.
"The best game plan for (Radtke) is to try and limit her touches," said Gawlik. "Getting after our attack and our serve and breaking down their passing to the point where they find it difficult to get her the ball.
"She is an elite level player offensively and on the block and it's hard to eliminate her all together, but knowing where she is at all times is key to slowing her down."
For CMU, junior outside hitter Jordan Bueter leads the MAC in aces per set (.47) and is seventh in kills per set (3.07); junior middle blocker Paige Carey leads CMU with a .306 hitting percentage, just in front of Jayla Wesley (.303).
Senior setter Kathia Sanchez leads the Chippewas with 387 assist this season, averaging 7.9 per set. Freshman libero Megan Kern leads the team with 147 digs, averaging three per set.
