Friday, March 5
Mount Pleasant, MI
12 P.M.
Central Michigan University
7-7,7-7MAC
1
vs
3
Bowling Green
13-0,13-0MAC
1
2
3
4
F
Bowling Green
25
25
21
25
3
Central Mich.
20
19
25
23
1
CMU's Lisbeth Rosario-Martinez (13) and Savannah Thompson go up for the block in the Chippewas' match with Bowling Green on Friday at McGuirk Arena.
Photo by: Keara Chaperon '22
Chippewas Drop Second Straight To MAC Leaders
3/5/2021 4:52:00 PM | Volleyball
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Not good enough to knock off Mid-American Conference-leading Bowling Green.
But certainly, a very good effort and, if replicated, should net the Central Michigan volleyball team plenty of positive results going forward.
Bowling Green handed the Chippewas a four-set loss on Friday at McGuirk Arena, completing a sweep of the two-match league series. The Falcons are 13-0; CMU is 7-7.
The Falcons took the match, 25-20, 25-19, 21-25, 25-23. Bowling Green swept Thursday's match.
"I thought we had a little better mojo today," CMU coach Mike Gawlik said. "I thought our good was good enough today. When we were operating at full tilt and really executing what we're capable of, I thought we were a handful for Bowling Green, which is an excellent team.
"Our push was pretty good and at times we got on these serving runs and we forced them to have to play good volleyball."
At .500, the Chippewas are squarely in the hunt for a top-four finish and a berth in the MAC Tournament. They have eight matches remaining, two each against Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Ball State and Miami (Ohio).
"We got an opportunity to see what the top of our league really looks like," Gawlik said. "We're looking for a way to get into that top four so that we get a second run at (Bowling Green) whether it's in the (tournament) semifinals or final. I'm optimistic about what we were able to show from our bounce back (after Thursday), but we've got bring that to the table a lot earlier as we play teams down the stretch."
The first two sets on Friday unfolded much like all three sets did in Thursday's match with Bowling Green seizing control and never letting the Chippewas get into much of a rhythm.
CMU finally broke through in the third set on Friday, jumping to a 3-0 lead and building it to seven, 14-7. The Chippewas held off the Falcons down the stretch when Bowling Green twice pulled to within a point, the second time at 21-20.
The teams played turnabout in the fourth set with Bowling Green going up early and the Chippewas pursuing. CMU trailed 14-8 and then made a late charge, closing to 22-23 and then 23-24 before succumbing.
"Bowling Green made two or three swings right at the end, elite-level swings by elite-level players," Gawlik said. "I don't think it was us playing poorly, I think it was Bowling Green just stepping up in that moment and there's something to be learned there. I think we're a good team with moments of great … and I think our good is pretty good."
Savannah Thompson had 15 kills and Anna Erickson added 12 for the Chippewas, who finished with a .204 hitting percentage and had just 18 errors on 157 swings. Bowling Green hit at .184, but had 12 aces.
The Chippewas finished with 11 blocks after posting just one in Thursday's match. Maddie Whitfield led CMU with six, one shy of her career high.
But certainly, a very good effort and, if replicated, should net the Central Michigan volleyball team plenty of positive results going forward.
Bowling Green handed the Chippewas a four-set loss on Friday at McGuirk Arena, completing a sweep of the two-match league series. The Falcons are 13-0; CMU is 7-7.
The Falcons took the match, 25-20, 25-19, 21-25, 25-23. Bowling Green swept Thursday's match.
"I thought we had a little better mojo today," CMU coach Mike Gawlik said. "I thought our good was good enough today. When we were operating at full tilt and really executing what we're capable of, I thought we were a handful for Bowling Green, which is an excellent team.
"Our push was pretty good and at times we got on these serving runs and we forced them to have to play good volleyball."
At .500, the Chippewas are squarely in the hunt for a top-four finish and a berth in the MAC Tournament. They have eight matches remaining, two each against Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Ball State and Miami (Ohio).
"We got an opportunity to see what the top of our league really looks like," Gawlik said. "We're looking for a way to get into that top four so that we get a second run at (Bowling Green) whether it's in the (tournament) semifinals or final. I'm optimistic about what we were able to show from our bounce back (after Thursday), but we've got bring that to the table a lot earlier as we play teams down the stretch."
The first two sets on Friday unfolded much like all three sets did in Thursday's match with Bowling Green seizing control and never letting the Chippewas get into much of a rhythm.
CMU finally broke through in the third set on Friday, jumping to a 3-0 lead and building it to seven, 14-7. The Chippewas held off the Falcons down the stretch when Bowling Green twice pulled to within a point, the second time at 21-20.
The teams played turnabout in the fourth set with Bowling Green going up early and the Chippewas pursuing. CMU trailed 14-8 and then made a late charge, closing to 22-23 and then 23-24 before succumbing.
"Bowling Green made two or three swings right at the end, elite-level swings by elite-level players," Gawlik said. "I don't think it was us playing poorly, I think it was Bowling Green just stepping up in that moment and there's something to be learned there. I think we're a good team with moments of great … and I think our good is pretty good."
Savannah Thompson had 15 kills and Anna Erickson added 12 for the Chippewas, who finished with a .204 hitting percentage and had just 18 errors on 157 swings. Bowling Green hit at .184, but had 12 aces.
The Chippewas finished with 11 blocks after posting just one in Thursday's match. Maddie Whitfield led CMU with six, one shy of her career high.
Team Stats
BGSU
CMU
Kills
51
50
Errors
24
18
Attempts
147
157
Hitting %
.184
.204
Points
76
67
Assists
48
44
Aces
12
6
Blocks
13
11
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
15
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
12
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
2
Blocks
3
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
3
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