Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewa Volleyball Heads To Valpo
9/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Nothing has come easy for the Central Michigan volleyball team in the early stages of 2016 season, especially when it comes to the schedule.
The Chippewas, 2-4, have faced some top-tier programs this season including two straight-set losses to Michigan State and No.7-ranked Florida at the Auto-Owners Insurance Spartan Invitational last weekend.
"I thought our fight was good from start to finish of the weekend," said first-year coach Mike Gawlik. "Even though we were facing off against some real top-notch Power 5 schools in the Top 25. We had some different measurements of success and I thought we hit a lot of those."
CMU will hit the road this weekend to take part in the Valparaiso Popcorn Festival Tournament. The Chippewas are slated to face South Dakota State (11 a.m.) and the host Crusaders (8 p.m.) on Friday. The close the tournament against Southeast Missouri on Saturday (5:30 p.m.).
"Now we go into a stretch of our schedule where we play teams that I think are a little bit closer to us in the RPI and in their strengths and weaknesses," Gawlik said. "We're going to find out here over the next two weeks how much we've learned. I'm hoping that it will pay off for us and I anticipate it will."
The Jack Rabbits are 1-7 on the season, the Crusaders are 4-2 , nd the Redhawks are 1-6.
Constant travel and playing on the road in different environments is something that can be a challenge for any team. It's a challenge the Chippewas will face a lot this season, particularly early.
CMU has played all six of its matches on the road this season and the trend will continue until Sept. 30, when they play host to Northern Illinois in a Mid-American Conference matchup.
The Chippewas go next weekend to Central Florida for the Holiday Inn East/UCF Challenge; the following weekend, they open MAC play with matches at Ball State and Toledo.
"I think at this point we try to make traveling an enjoyable experience," said Gawlik. "It's not something that we're constantly dragging on and dreading every week. We like being on the road -- I think we're an enjoyable group -- and we try to find opportunities to enjoy each other's company."
When Gawlik took over as head coach of the CMU volleyball program he made it clear that there would be fundamental changes in the way they play the game and each payer would have to buy into a new system and adapt to some different roles.
"Six matches in, and I think people are kind of settling into those roles and kind of understanding what their role is now on this team and how that maybe differs from a year ago, or two years ago."
Junior outside hitter Jordan Bueter leads the Chippewas with 49 kills on the season, averaging a team-best 2.58. She also leads CMU with nine aces and 59 digs.
Chippewa setter Kathia Sanchez, a senior, is averaging 5.11 assists per set. Freshman Jayla Wesley and junior Paige Carey, both middle blockers, have led the Chippewas at the net with 15 and 14 blocks, respectively.
CMU junior outside hitter Taylor Robertson made the all-tournament team at Michigan State last weekend when she finished with 21 kills and a team-high seven blocks while playing all 10 sets.
