Volleyball Heads To Sycamore Invitational

Andy Glezen, CMUChippewas.com

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Midway through its nonconference slate, the Central Michigan volleyball team will head to Terre Haute, Ind. for the Sycamore Invitational.

The Chippewas (2-4) will face Green Bay (10 a.m.) and Saint Louis (2 p.m.) on Friday before taking on tournament host Indiana State on Saturday (noon).

SELF ASSESMENT
In each of its first two invitationals, both of which comprised three matches, CMU has won its opener but failed to pick up wins in the latter two matches. Last weekend at the Chippewa Invitational, Central Michigan defeated La Salle on Friday before falling to DePaul and to a strong Valparaiso team.

CMU coach Mike Gawlik and his team are emphasizing team defense and particularly blocking to get the Chippewas on the right track.

"Our blocking has to be far better, for us to let a team hit .396 you can't win that way," Gawlik said following a 3-1 defeat to Valpo. "Our defense needs to be far better at manufacturing some opportunities for us to counter attack."

WHITFIELD
One player coach Gawlik will be counting on this weekend to help improve the team defense will be freshman Maddie Whitfield, who enters the Sycamore Invitational tied for the team lead in blocks with 12 and has also contributed nine digs.

The freshman, who, as a senior at Saline High School was one of 10 finalists for the 2017 Michigan Miss Volleyball Award, tied her career high in blocks against La Salle with four, which led to a CMU victory. She also tied her career high in digs against Valpo with three.

SCOUTING REPORT
Green Bay is 3-4 and riding a two-match win streak. The Phoenix are led by Taylor Wolf who has 114 kills on the season.

Saint Louis is 0-6 with a notable loss to Mid-American Conference's Miami (Ohio). The Billikens only have three players with double digit kills on the entire season.

Indiana State is 4-2 with its losses coming to Oakland and Tennessee. The Chippewas defeated the Sycamores in five sets last season in Mount Pleasant.

NEXT
Central Michigan will travel to Lincoln, Neb. on Friday, Sept. 14 to participate in the Husker Invitational. The invitational will be the last nonconference games for the Chippewas. CMU opens MAC play at home on Thursday, Sept. 20 against Eastern Michigan.

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Players Mentioned

Maddie Whitfield