Friday, November 2
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
7:00 P.M.
Central Michigan University
6-19,3-10MAC
3
vs
0
Ball State
19-7, 10-3MAC
1
2
3
F
Ball State
22
22
23
0
Central Michigan
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Allissa Rusco
Chippewas Knock Off West Leaders
11/2/2018 10:39:00 PM | Volleyball
CMU sweeps Ball State for 3rd win in its last 4 games
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The sweet taste of success and revenge, and a signal that perhaps Central Michigan volleyball has turned the corner.
Savannah Thompson and Lyza Myers had 12 kills each on Friday as the Chippewas knocked off Mid-American Conference West Division-leading Ball State in three sets at McGuirk Arena.
The Chippewas topped the Cardinals, 25-22, 25-22, 25-23 to avenge an earlier three-set loss and end Ball State's win streak at three matches. The Cardinals had not dropped a set in their three-match win streak.
It was the Chippewas' third win in their last four matches – the one loss in that stretch was a five-setter at Kent State – as they improved to 6-19, 3-10 MAC. Ball State, which had won 13 of its last 15 matches coming into Friday, is 19-7, 10-3.
"We went toe-to-toe with what I think is one of the best teams in the MAC, and we were able to sweep them," CMU coach Mike Gawlik said. "That's a sign that we're improving a lot. We've grown a lot over our last five matches and in the second half of the MAC season."
HOW IT HAPPENED
In winning the first two sets, it marked the first time this season that the Chippewas led at the intermission. The Chippewas held the Cardinals to a .051 hitting percentage in set one, while CMU hit at .333 in set two.
Neither team led by more than three in the third set. With the match tied at 23-all, Ball State committed a service error and then an attack error as the Chippeaws nailed down the set and the match.
LEADERS
Kalina Smith added 10 kills for the Chippewas, while Thompson finished with a .435 hitting percentage.
CMU setters Grace Butler and Kendall Braate finished with 17 assists apiece, junior Libero Megan Kern led the Chippewas with 13 digs.
THE BEST IS YET TO COME
Despite a sweep of the division-leading Cardinals, Thompson said the Chippewas can play better. They will get that chance in less than 24 hours when they play host to Toledo on Saturday (7 p.m.) on Senior Night.
"I believe my teammates have something more (to give)," the freshman outside hitter said. "I'm really excited to see if we can bring that (Saturday) and Monday when we come back to practice.
"Every day you're working toward getting to the highest level you can play at, and I'm really excited to see tomorrow, next practice, and for years to come."
Friday's win, Gawlik said, is representative of what he wants the program to be.
"I feel like this statement of 'we're not going away' is something I hope this conference is hearing loud and clear," he said. "I feel like we're going to be a group that's going to be a pain in the butt for a lot of teams for a while."
LONG TIME
Friday's win is the first 3-0 CMU victory in McGuirk Arena since a Nov. 4, 2017, sweep of rival Western Michigan.
WHERE THEY STAND
The Chippewas are mathematically still alive for a MAC Tournament berth. The top eight teams in the overall conference standings earn a spot in the tourney field. The Chippewas, at 3-10 in league play, are tied for 10th place.
Toledo is in ninth at 4-9, while Kent State (5-8) is eighth.
Savannah Thompson and Lyza Myers had 12 kills each on Friday as the Chippewas knocked off Mid-American Conference West Division-leading Ball State in three sets at McGuirk Arena.
The Chippewas topped the Cardinals, 25-22, 25-22, 25-23 to avenge an earlier three-set loss and end Ball State's win streak at three matches. The Cardinals had not dropped a set in their three-match win streak.
It was the Chippewas' third win in their last four matches – the one loss in that stretch was a five-setter at Kent State – as they improved to 6-19, 3-10 MAC. Ball State, which had won 13 of its last 15 matches coming into Friday, is 19-7, 10-3.
"We went toe-to-toe with what I think is one of the best teams in the MAC, and we were able to sweep them," CMU coach Mike Gawlik said. "That's a sign that we're improving a lot. We've grown a lot over our last five matches and in the second half of the MAC season."
HOW IT HAPPENED
In winning the first two sets, it marked the first time this season that the Chippewas led at the intermission. The Chippewas held the Cardinals to a .051 hitting percentage in set one, while CMU hit at .333 in set two.
Neither team led by more than three in the third set. With the match tied at 23-all, Ball State committed a service error and then an attack error as the Chippeaws nailed down the set and the match.
LEADERS
Kalina Smith added 10 kills for the Chippewas, while Thompson finished with a .435 hitting percentage.
CMU setters Grace Butler and Kendall Braate finished with 17 assists apiece, junior Libero Megan Kern led the Chippewas with 13 digs.
THE BEST IS YET TO COME
Despite a sweep of the division-leading Cardinals, Thompson said the Chippewas can play better. They will get that chance in less than 24 hours when they play host to Toledo on Saturday (7 p.m.) on Senior Night.
"I believe my teammates have something more (to give)," the freshman outside hitter said. "I'm really excited to see if we can bring that (Saturday) and Monday when we come back to practice.
"Every day you're working toward getting to the highest level you can play at, and I'm really excited to see tomorrow, next practice, and for years to come."
Friday's win, Gawlik said, is representative of what he wants the program to be.
"I feel like this statement of 'we're not going away' is something I hope this conference is hearing loud and clear," he said. "I feel like we're going to be a group that's going to be a pain in the butt for a lot of teams for a while."
LONG TIME
Friday's win is the first 3-0 CMU victory in McGuirk Arena since a Nov. 4, 2017, sweep of rival Western Michigan.
WHERE THEY STAND
The Chippewas are mathematically still alive for a MAC Tournament berth. The top eight teams in the overall conference standings earn a spot in the tourney field. The Chippewas, at 3-10 in league play, are tied for 10th place.
Toledo is in ninth at 4-9, while Kent State (5-8) is eighth.
Team Stats
BSU
CMU
Kills
38
45
Errors
20
16
Attempts
111
120
Hitting %
.162
.242
Points
51.0
57.0
Assists
37
41
Aces
5
5
Blocks
8.0
7.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
12
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
12
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
5
Aces
1
Blocks
6
Players Mentioned
Setter/Outside Hitter
/ Volleyball
Setter
/ Volleyball
Libero
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