Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Ferris State
Chippewa Volleyball Drops Exhibition Match
8/19/2017 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The Central Michigan volleyball team fell to Ferris State in four sets on Saturday in an exhibition match at McGuirk Arena.
The Chippewas, under second-year coach Mike Gawlik, open the season next weekend at the Army Invitational where they will play St. Francis Brooklyn, Hartford and Army.
The Bulldogs, who are ranked 14th in the preseason NCAA Division II poll, topped the Chippewas, 25-23, 25-17, 15-25, 34-32.
"Lot of positives," Gawlik said. "You go in to an exhibition trying to win, but you're also trying to figure who you are and what your strengths are and what some of your weaknesses may be.
"We had a lot of new players and I thought they handled themselves well out there. A little bit of experience will go a long way in learning to keep our composure and take some big swings."
Ferris State finished 30-6 last season and won the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship and reached the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
"Ferris State's a very good program," Gawlik said. "It was a good test for us and that's why we wanted to have them in, to challenge ourselves and see where we need to improve."
Emily Wenglikowski had 20 kills and 11 digs to lead the Chippewas, while freshman Lyza Myers added 13 kills. Freshman setter Grace Butler finished with 37 assists and 12 digs, and Courtney Hiltibran had three aces and 11 digs. Megan Kern finished with a team-high 13 digs.
The Chippewas played without leading hitter Jordan Bueter, one of the Mid-American Conference's top players.
"Emily Wenglikowski was a really bright spot for us," Gawlik said. "I think when we get our team at full strength we'll have a lot of great options to mix up and come up with a pretty good lineup."
