Friday, February 5
Mount Pleasant, MI
2 P.M.
Central Michigan University
3-3,3-3MAC
3
vs
1
Northern Illinois
1-5,1-5MAC
1
2
3
4
F
Northern Ill.
14
18
25
20
1
Central Mich.
25
25
23
25
3
Photo by: Keara Chaperon '22
Different Star, Same Result
2/5/2021 5:58:00 PM | Volleyball
Chippewas complete sweep of Northern Illinois
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Another career high in kills, a good day at the net, and another win for the Central Michigan volleyball team.
Savannah Thompson posted a career-high 19 kills as the Chippewas downed Northern Illinois in four sets in a Mid-American Conference match on Friday at McGuirk Arena.
The win followed CMU's five-set victory over the Huskies on Thursday as the Chippewas improved to 3-3 in posting their first sweep of the season.
The Chippewas took the first two sets, 25-14, 25-18; NIU rebounded to take the third, 25-23, before CMU captured the fourth, 25-20, scoring the final five points. The Chippewas go to Western Michigan for two matches next weekend.
"I think it just shows us what we're capable of and I think the most exciting thing is that's not the best that we have," Thompson said. "I think there's room to grow still and that's really exciting. It lifts us going into a big rival week next week and I'm really proud of how everyone played tonight. It was a good team win."
Thompson's Turn
Thompson, a junior outside hitter, stepped up and led a Chippewa offense that hit at .214 on the day. Thompson hit .268 on 56 swings with just four errors. Two of her kills came during CMU's match-clinching 5-0 spurt in the final set.
Teammates Anna Erickson and Maddie Whitfield added eight kills apiece. Erickson posted a career-high 25 kills in Thursday's win.
"You saw Savannah really take the reins today and be a big-time closer for us down the stretch," CMU coach Mike Gawlik said. "Great teams kind of share the load. Not everybody's going to have their best match every night, but I thought our block and Savannah and our defense really stepped up today to kind of pick up some areas that we struggled."
Strong Defense
Hannah Warners finished with a team-high 21 digs and the Chippewas finished with a season-high 14 blocks and did not have a block error. It was the second-straight big day for Warners, a senior who has filled a backup role for most of her CMU career. She had a career-high 31 digs in Thursday's victory as she filled in admirably at libero in both matches for teammate Kendall Braate.
How It Happened
The Chippewas controlled the first two sets and seemed poised to win 3-0 when they seized a 22-19 lead in the third. But NIU responded to take six of the next seven points to send the match to the fourth set.
In the fourth, CMU trailed 20-19 before back-to-back NIU attack errors put the Chippewas in front, 21-20. Thompson then recorded a pair of kills to make it 23-20. Two more NIU attack errors gave CMU the match.
"We say a lot of times, we didn't come here to win two sets, we came here to win three sets," Gawlik said. "I thought we needed a bit more intensity coming out of set three. Northern Illinois, or any team in our conference, is going to keep fighting. I thought we took our foot off the gas pedal there (in the third set). There needs to be a growth moment coming away from this match that when things are going well and you're up 2-0 there's still a lot of match to play.
"You try to separate that wave of emotion. Mature teams or poised teams, they just kind of stay in the fight and if they're winning, they keep their foot on the gas pedal; and if they're losing, they don't have to waiver a whole lot. You just have to get back to what makes you a special team and what helps you find success."
Savannah Thompson posted a career-high 19 kills as the Chippewas downed Northern Illinois in four sets in a Mid-American Conference match on Friday at McGuirk Arena.
The win followed CMU's five-set victory over the Huskies on Thursday as the Chippewas improved to 3-3 in posting their first sweep of the season.
The Chippewas took the first two sets, 25-14, 25-18; NIU rebounded to take the third, 25-23, before CMU captured the fourth, 25-20, scoring the final five points. The Chippewas go to Western Michigan for two matches next weekend.
"I think it just shows us what we're capable of and I think the most exciting thing is that's not the best that we have," Thompson said. "I think there's room to grow still and that's really exciting. It lifts us going into a big rival week next week and I'm really proud of how everyone played tonight. It was a good team win."
Thompson's Turn
Thompson, a junior outside hitter, stepped up and led a Chippewa offense that hit at .214 on the day. Thompson hit .268 on 56 swings with just four errors. Two of her kills came during CMU's match-clinching 5-0 spurt in the final set.
Teammates Anna Erickson and Maddie Whitfield added eight kills apiece. Erickson posted a career-high 25 kills in Thursday's win.
"You saw Savannah really take the reins today and be a big-time closer for us down the stretch," CMU coach Mike Gawlik said. "Great teams kind of share the load. Not everybody's going to have their best match every night, but I thought our block and Savannah and our defense really stepped up today to kind of pick up some areas that we struggled."
Strong Defense
Hannah Warners finished with a team-high 21 digs and the Chippewas finished with a season-high 14 blocks and did not have a block error. It was the second-straight big day for Warners, a senior who has filled a backup role for most of her CMU career. She had a career-high 31 digs in Thursday's victory as she filled in admirably at libero in both matches for teammate Kendall Braate.
How It Happened
The Chippewas controlled the first two sets and seemed poised to win 3-0 when they seized a 22-19 lead in the third. But NIU responded to take six of the next seven points to send the match to the fourth set.
In the fourth, CMU trailed 20-19 before back-to-back NIU attack errors put the Chippewas in front, 21-20. Thompson then recorded a pair of kills to make it 23-20. Two more NIU attack errors gave CMU the match.
"We say a lot of times, we didn't come here to win two sets, we came here to win three sets," Gawlik said. "I thought we needed a bit more intensity coming out of set three. Northern Illinois, or any team in our conference, is going to keep fighting. I thought we took our foot off the gas pedal there (in the third set). There needs to be a growth moment coming away from this match that when things are going well and you're up 2-0 there's still a lot of match to play.
"You try to separate that wave of emotion. Mature teams or poised teams, they just kind of stay in the fight and if they're winning, they keep their foot on the gas pedal; and if they're losing, they don't have to waiver a whole lot. You just have to get back to what makes you a special team and what helps you find success."
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
Team Stats
NIU
CMU
Kills
43
53
Errors
37
19
Attempts
162
159
Hitting %
.037
.214
Points
57
70
Assists
39
52
Aces
4
3
Blocks
10
14
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
19
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
7
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Players Mentioned
Libero/Setter
/ VolleyballOpposite/Outside Hitter
/ VolleyballOutside Hitter
/ Volleyball
Defensive Specialist
/ VolleyballMiddle 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