Chippewas Show Some Mettle, But Bow To NIU

Mitch Vosburg, CMUChippewas.com

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- Following a three-set loss to rival Western Michigan on Friday night, the Central Michigan volleyball team looked poised to bounce back on Saturday against Northern Illinois at McGuirk Arena.

The Chippewas cut down their attack errors and won a set from the Huskies, but eventually succumbed, 24-26, 25-21, 21-25, 22-25.

CMU is 3-15 overall, 0-6 MAC. Northern Illinois is 6-15, 4-2.

HOW IT HAPPENED
CMU coach Mike Gawlik said he felt the Chippewas let opportunities slip throughout the match.

"I don't think we're too far off, but there's a big difference between winning and losing in this conference," he said. "We're missing some key plays, some intangible plays that we want back, some net play of some jousts and overpasses. Some of those we have to turn into points because they're momentum boosts.

"It's frustrating when we find ourselves in another hole, but I'm optimistic about the fight we showed. We have to find a way to fight earlier."

The Chippewas led for the majority of the first set, but NIU surged, finishing on a 4-0 run to claim the set.

The Chippewas started set two similar to the way they started set one, jumping ahead early, and this time kept the momentum in opening a commanding 19-10 lead. After a Huskie timeout, NIU responded with an 8-1 run to pull within 20-18. Leading 22-20, the Chippewas pulled away, with Savannah Thompson recording two of the final three kills in the set.

Junior middle blocker Jayla Wesley left the match during set two with a left knee injury. Gawlik said the CMU training staff ruled out the possibility of a serious injury, but a timetable for her return was not immediately available.

Set three saw the Chippewas once again take momentum early, and they maintained the lead for a good portion of the set. That was until NIU senior middle blocker Meg Wolowicz showed why she was a 2017 First Team All-MAC selection.

Wolowicz had a kill, an ace, and served three balls which turned into Chippewa attack errors as the Huskies gained a 19-15 lead. The Chippewas fought back to within two points, 19-17, but could get no closer.

The Huskies took control from the outset in set four, seizing a commanding 11-1 lead. CMU would not go down quietly, taking 21 of the set's final 35 points and drawing to within 23-22, but the Huskies held on.

"I felt at one point this set was 22-23 shows that our team has the grit that we need," Gawlik said. "We need to bring that fight to when the score is 0-0. We have to bring that consistently and continue to work on it."

LEADERS
Freshman outside hitter Savannah Thompson led the Chippewas with 15 kills, added 19 digs, and finished with a .389 hitting percentage.

"Savannah and I had a conversation yesterday after the match (against WMU) about managing points and being patient," Gawlik said. "Man, I thought she nailed it."

Junior libero Megan Kern totaled 23 digs.

Wolowicz finished with 25 kills to lead NIU.

NEXT
The Chippewas play two more home MAC matches next week, beginning on Thursday (7 p.m.) when they entertain Bowling Green. CMU then entertains Miami (Ohio) on Saturday (8 p.m.).

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Team Stats

Savannah Thompson

Lyza Myers

Maddie Whitfield

Megan Sivertsen

Players Mentioned

Megan Kern

Savannah Thompson

Jayla Wesley

Players Mentioned

Megan Kern

Savannah Thompson

Jayla Wesley