Central Michigan University
Akron
Chippewas Rebound With 3-0 Volleyball Win
10/21/2017 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Lindsay Gerber, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - It was all about the energy for the Central Michigan volleyball team in its three-set Mid-American Conference victory over Akron on Saturday at McGuirk Arena.
The Chippewas broke a four-game losing skid as they improved to 11-11, 3-7 MAC. The Zips slipped to 6-16, 2-8 MAC. CMU will look to keep the momentum going as they hit the road next weekend with matches at Ball State and Toledo.
Central Michigan topped Akron 25-20, 25-21, 25-15.
"Everybody just played a little bit better," said CMU coach Mike Gawlik, whose team dropped a three-setter at home on Friday to Buffalo. "Nobody played outside of themselves and nobody did anything super-human, yet we found a way to hit .330 as a team and have only 10 attack errors. I think that's a really good adjustment by each team member to contribute."
While firing on all cylinders, Central Michigan held an offensive edge from the start. Senior Jordan Bueter led the Chippewas with 15 kills on an impressive .361 attack percentage.
Kalina Smith and Paige Carey each added eight kills apiece.
"We can feel the energy," said Carey, who finished with a .500 attacking percentage. "When the entire team has the energy flowing, the whole game is changed. That was definitely happening on the court and off the court tonight."
CMU also filled the stat sheet defensively. Bueter recorded a team-high 10 digs, Megan Kern added nine, and CMU totaled seven blocks.
"We played more for each other tonight than we did for ourselves and that's what made a big difference," Smith said.
Kayla Gwozdz led Akron with 12 kills and Taylor Sharrits had a team-high 14 digs.
Akron recorded a .185 attack percentage.
"We need to keep pushing," Smith said. "We did a good job this game staying consistent with the energy. We didn't let anything phase us tonight and that'll help us in these next few games."
