Saturday, November 2
Mount Pleasant, MI
5:30 p.m.
Central Michigan University
19-5,9-3MAC
3
vs
0
Northern Illinois
8-18,5-7MAC
1
2
3
F
Northern Ill.
12
15
16
0
Central Mich.
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Allissa Rusco
Volleyball Rolls Past NIU In Straight Sets
11/2/2019 8:44:00 PM | Volleyball
Chippewas inch closer to MAC West crown
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Central Michigan volleyball team used a balanced attack on Saturday in downing Northern Illinois in straight sets in a Mid-American Conference match on Senior Night at McGuirk Arena.
The 25-12, 25-15, 25-16 victory lifted the Chippewas to 20-4, 10-2. The 20 wins are the most by a Chippewa squad since 2007, when CMU posted 22 victories.
The win also moved the Chippewas one step closer to clinching the MAC West title. They hold a three-game lead over second-place Ball State, which is 7-5 in league play. Both CMU and Ball State have four league matches remaining, including the regular-season finale in Muncie, Ind. on Nov. 16 when they will go head to head.
How It Happened
The Chippewas played without one of their two setters, sophomore Kendall Braate. Junior Grace Butler, who normally shares the setting duties with Braate, handled the setting with aplomb and the Chippewas got across-the-board balance in downing the Huskies.
"I knew I couldn't freak out because that would freak (my teammates) out," said Butler, who posted a season-high 36 assists. "I basically just remembered that I did this all throughout high school, so I wasn't scared. I knew my hitters would (get kills) anyways, even if I was in the front row blocking."
The Chippewas never trailed in either of the first two sets, and were never down more than two points in the third. The broke a 7-7 tie in the third with a 6-1 spurt and never looked back.
"I thought we played a really complete match," CMU coach Mike Gawlik said. "To run a one-setter system, to not skip a beat and play at a high level is something we prepare for every day so that when we're thrown a curveball, we can wait back and knock it out of the park.
"I was really proud of the group with change in the last minute, (and) I thought we did a lot of really nice things. I thought all five attackers did an elite job of sharing the load offensively."
Leaders
Kalina Smith led the Chippewas with 12 kills, while Lisbeth Rosario-Martinez added 11 kills in finishing with a .500 attacking percentage.
Butler finished with a season-high 36 assists, Savannah Thompson posted a team-high 12 digs, and Megan Kern had four aces.
Numbers
CMU finished with a season-best hitting percentage of .375, just two nights after the Chippewas set their previous high (.351) in a win over Western Michigan. The Chippewas held NIU to a .053 hitting percentage.
Senior Night
Following the match, CMU paid tribute to seniors Jayla Wesley and Kern, along with Allison Knoll.
"I will always have a special place in my heart for Megan and Jayla," said Gawlik, who took over the program in 2016, when Kern, Wesley and Knoll were freshmen. "Kern, Wesley, and Knoll were a part of that first group that came in with a new coaching staff. They have been on this four-year journey with us that has brought us to a really neat spot. You can only appreciate where we're at right now when you recognize where we've come from.
"People like Megan and Jayla, who've been in our practice gym and working tirelessly over the last four years, they bring that perspective to the table when they know what we've been working towards for a long time."
Teammate Tributes
Sophomore outside hitter Savannah Thompson: "(Kern) is the type of person where no matter what kind of day she had, she's always there to make your day better. That's the type of human being you want to surround yourself with. For (Wesley), she's the type of girl that has anyone's back on the team on or off the court. She brings an energy that you don't find in a lot of programs."
Butler: "(Kern's) one of my best friends. She's an incredible teammate, I've never heard her complain about anything. She's always asking to get extra reps in practice, so I think she pushes other athletes on the court. (Wesley) has anyone's back, and we know it. She will do anything for the team."
Next
CMU will host its final game of the season at McGuirk Arena on Thursday, Nov. 7 (6 p.m.) against Eastern Michigan.
The Chippewas will finish the regular season with three straight MAC road matches, starting on Saturday, Nov. 9 (6 p.m.) at Ohio.
The 25-12, 25-15, 25-16 victory lifted the Chippewas to 20-4, 10-2. The 20 wins are the most by a Chippewa squad since 2007, when CMU posted 22 victories.
The win also moved the Chippewas one step closer to clinching the MAC West title. They hold a three-game lead over second-place Ball State, which is 7-5 in league play. Both CMU and Ball State have four league matches remaining, including the regular-season finale in Muncie, Ind. on Nov. 16 when they will go head to head.
How It Happened
The Chippewas played without one of their two setters, sophomore Kendall Braate. Junior Grace Butler, who normally shares the setting duties with Braate, handled the setting with aplomb and the Chippewas got across-the-board balance in downing the Huskies.
"I knew I couldn't freak out because that would freak (my teammates) out," said Butler, who posted a season-high 36 assists. "I basically just remembered that I did this all throughout high school, so I wasn't scared. I knew my hitters would (get kills) anyways, even if I was in the front row blocking."
The Chippewas never trailed in either of the first two sets, and were never down more than two points in the third. The broke a 7-7 tie in the third with a 6-1 spurt and never looked back.
"I thought we played a really complete match," CMU coach Mike Gawlik said. "To run a one-setter system, to not skip a beat and play at a high level is something we prepare for every day so that when we're thrown a curveball, we can wait back and knock it out of the park.
"I was really proud of the group with change in the last minute, (and) I thought we did a lot of really nice things. I thought all five attackers did an elite job of sharing the load offensively."
Leaders
Kalina Smith led the Chippewas with 12 kills, while Lisbeth Rosario-Martinez added 11 kills in finishing with a .500 attacking percentage.
Butler finished with a season-high 36 assists, Savannah Thompson posted a team-high 12 digs, and Megan Kern had four aces.
Numbers
CMU finished with a season-best hitting percentage of .375, just two nights after the Chippewas set their previous high (.351) in a win over Western Michigan. The Chippewas held NIU to a .053 hitting percentage.
Senior Night
Following the match, CMU paid tribute to seniors Jayla Wesley and Kern, along with Allison Knoll.
"I will always have a special place in my heart for Megan and Jayla," said Gawlik, who took over the program in 2016, when Kern, Wesley and Knoll were freshmen. "Kern, Wesley, and Knoll were a part of that first group that came in with a new coaching staff. They have been on this four-year journey with us that has brought us to a really neat spot. You can only appreciate where we're at right now when you recognize where we've come from.
"People like Megan and Jayla, who've been in our practice gym and working tirelessly over the last four years, they bring that perspective to the table when they know what we've been working towards for a long time."
Teammate Tributes
Sophomore outside hitter Savannah Thompson: "(Kern) is the type of person where no matter what kind of day she had, she's always there to make your day better. That's the type of human being you want to surround yourself with. For (Wesley), she's the type of girl that has anyone's back on the team on or off the court. She brings an energy that you don't find in a lot of programs."
Butler: "(Kern's) one of my best friends. She's an incredible teammate, I've never heard her complain about anything. She's always asking to get extra reps in practice, so I think she pushes other athletes on the court. (Wesley) has anyone's back, and we know it. She will do anything for the team."
Next
CMU will host its final game of the season at McGuirk Arena on Thursday, Nov. 7 (6 p.m.) against Eastern Michigan.
The Chippewas will finish the regular season with three straight MAC road matches, starting on Saturday, Nov. 9 (6 p.m.) at Ohio.
Team Stats
NIU
CMU
Kills
27
43
Errors
22
7
Attempts
95
96
Hitting %
.053
.375
Points
33
56
Assists
23
41
Aces
2
7
Blocks
4
6
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
12
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
Setter/Opposite
/ Volleyball
Setter
/ Volleyball
Libero
/ Volleyball
Middle Blocker
/ VolleyballMiddle Blocker
/ VolleyballOutside Hitter
/ VolleyballOutside Hitter
/ Volleyball
Middle Blocker
/ VolleyballInterview With Adam Jaksa and Arielle Wilson
Tuesday, August 26
BTS Volleyball Media Day
Thursday, August 07
Volleyball Passing Out Donuts
Thursday, April 10
Volleyball Sign Question
Tuesday, February 11