Chippewas Snap Streak, Post First MAC Win

Saturday, October 20

Buffalo, N.Y.

7:00 P.M.

Central Michigan University

4-18, 1-9MAC

Buffalo

13-9, 5-5MAC

Central Michigan

Buffalo

10/20/2018 9:22:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

CMU surges in fourth set for 3-1 win at Buffalo

By: Mitch Vosburg

Mitch Vosburg, CMUChippewas.com

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The streak is over.

Kalina Smith had 17 kills as the Central Michigan volleyball team snapped a 12-match losing streak with a four-set Mid-American Conference victory over Buffalo on Saturday night at the Bulls' Alumni Arena.

The victory, CMU's first since a five-set victory at Indiana State on Sept. 8, was the Chippewas' first in the MAC this season. They are 4-18, 1-9 league. Buffalo is 13-9, 5-5.

"We've continued to fight even though wins and losses have been something that haven't gone our way," CMU coach Mike Gawlik said. "I'm incredibly proud of the group."

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Chippewas took two of the first three sets, and then found themselves in a 10-7 deficit in the fourth.

A Savannah Thompson kill ignited an 11-1 run that pushed the Chippewas to an 18-11 lead. Buffalo never got closer than six points the rest of the way as CMU won going away, taking the set 25-14. When the dust settled, CMU had scored 18 of the set's final 22 points.

CMU took set one, 25-19, and set three, 25-18. Buffalo won the second set, 25-21.

Smith, a sophomore outside hitter, finished with a .517 attack percentage. Freshman middle blocker Maddie Whitfield added nine kills, seven blocks and finished with a .438 attack percentage.

The Chippewas recorded with nine aces, three each by Thompson and Jayla Wesley. Setters Grace Butler and Kendall Braate posted 27 and 18 assists, respectively.

KEY STAT
The Chippewas finished the night with a .339 attack percentage to Buffalo's .200.

MOMENTUM
"I think this can be the start of something, a chance to buy in and be a really good team," Gawlik said. "There's still a little bit of hope for us from a MAC Tournament perspective, but we're taking it one match at a time.

"It was a rewarding (post-game), just watching the smiles on the faces of everybody getting on the bus and knowing this is hopefully the start of something bigger, not just one win."

NEXT
The Chippewas go to Eastern Michigan on Thursday, Oct. 25. CMU fell to the Eagles in three sets at McGuirk Arena on Sept. 20.