Chippewas Fall In 4 To Bowling Green

Mitch Vosburg, CMUChippewas.com

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- The Central Michigan Volleyball team looked to earn its first win of its four-match homestand on Thursday when Mid-American Conference East Division co-leading Bowling Green visited McGuirk Arena.

Unfortunately, Thursday was not that night as the Falcons handed CMU a four-set loss, 25-12, 23-25, 25-23, 25-14.

CMU is 3-16 overall (0-7 MAC). Bowling Green is 12-8, (6-1).

HOW IT HAPPENED
Despite the loss, CMU coach Mike Gawlik was pleased with his team for achieving goals set for the match, including error management.

"We know that Bowling Green is one of the benchmarks in this conference for what we want to do to get to the top," he said. "We're knocking on the door, but not walking through it just yet."

Bowling Green found momentum early in set one, never trailing in the opening stanza. The Chippewas committed seven attack errors while earning seven kills. The Falcons hit .296 in the set.

Set two saw CMU size the momentum, building a 18-12 lead. Bowling Green then responded with a 9-0 run to take a 21-18 lead and force a CMU timeout. The Chippewas shaved the Falcons' lead to one point, 24-23, but ultimately fell and trailed 2-0 at intermission.

CMU struggled early in set three, trailing by as many as five points. The Chippewas stayed within striking distance, trailing by two points until a 7-1 run gave CMU a 23-19 lead and force a Bowling Green timeout. Bowling Green eventually drew to within a point at 24-23, but after a CMU timeout, the Chippewas got a kill from Maddie Whitfield to take the set.

In set four, Bowling Green used an 8-0 run for a 13-4 lead and the Chippewas never seriously threatened after that.

LEADERS
Sophomore outside hitter Kalina Smith led CMU with 15 kills, while freshman outside hitter Savannah Thompson contributed 10 kills and 12 digs, sharing the team lead with junior libero Megan Kern.

NEXT
The Chippewas return to action at 8 p.m. Saturday to face Miami (Ohio) in McGuirk Arena. The RedHawks, who are scheduled to play on Friday at Eastern Michigan, are 13-5 and enter weekend play tied atop the MAC East with Bowling Green.

Fans can gain admission to Saturday's match by presenting their ticket from Saturday's CMU-Ball State football game.

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Team Stats

Kalina Smith

Savannah Thompson

Maddie Whitfield

Lyza Myers

Players Mentioned

Megan Kern

Kalina Smith

Savannah Thompson

Maddie Whitfield

Players Mentioned

Megan Kern

Kalina Smith

Savannah Thompson

Maddie Whitfield