Central Michigan University Athletics
Friday, August 26
Memphis, Tenn.
10 a.m. (ET)
Central Michigan University
vs
Eastern Washington
Linnea Willer (19) is among the top returnees to the CMU volleyball team in 2022.
Photo by: Keara Chaperon '22
CMU Volleyball Retools, Adjusts In Coach Gawlik's 7th Year
8/25/2022 4:39:00 PM | Volleyball
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Mike Gawlik can see why his fellow Mid-American Conference volleyball coaches carry the opinion they do about his Central Michigan Chippewas.
When half the roster has turned over since last season and a team must replace several solid mainstays, it's understandable that outsiders may believe a down year looms.
"While I disagree with us being the fifth-best team in the West," said Gawlik in reference to the preseason coaches poll, in which CMU finished fifth in the six-team MAC West. "I can understand where coaches would make that assumption based on how much experience we lost.
"I like what we look like in the gym right now. I do think it looks different than last year and it's some new faces for fans and people who follow our league. I would be really surprised if we finished in that spot."
Gawlik's Chippewas, who open the season on Friday at the Memphis Tiger Brawl, are retooling, adjusting and evolving.
There is plenty of talent and experience back in the likes of setter Kamryn Olson, libero Aly Gurtiza and outside hitters Linnea Willer and Anna Erickson. That quartet, along with several others, were part of the core in 2021.
Willer ranked second on the team a year ago with 268 kills while Erickson was fourth (164). Olson shared the setting duties with graduated Grace Butler and Gurtiza led the MAC with 5.34 digs per set.
"She's a standout defensive player in this league," Gawlik said of Gurtiza, a sophomore who last season earned a spot on the MAC All-Freshman Team. "I think she's one of the better ones around and will be for a couple of years to come."
Olson appears entrenched early on at the setter spot, though Gawlik said freshman Claire Ammeraal is likely to see the floor at that position and both could be in the lineup if and when the Chippewas go to a 6-2 formation.
Gawlik, who is in his seventh year, has his system and his culture firmly entrenched. His 2022 squad falls in line with what has always envisioned as he looks to have his Chippewas in the hunt for a MAC title come November.
"You have to love what you do and we try to recruit that in our program," he said. "People that are good teammates and people that are hard workers.
"We've really been careful in the recruiting process to pick people who match our culture and pick people who buy into the way that we want to play."
When half the roster has turned over since last season and a team must replace several solid mainstays, it's understandable that outsiders may believe a down year looms.
"While I disagree with us being the fifth-best team in the West," said Gawlik in reference to the preseason coaches poll, in which CMU finished fifth in the six-team MAC West. "I can understand where coaches would make that assumption based on how much experience we lost.
"I like what we look like in the gym right now. I do think it looks different than last year and it's some new faces for fans and people who follow our league. I would be really surprised if we finished in that spot."
Gawlik's Chippewas, who open the season on Friday at the Memphis Tiger Brawl, are retooling, adjusting and evolving.
There is plenty of talent and experience back in the likes of setter Kamryn Olson, libero Aly Gurtiza and outside hitters Linnea Willer and Anna Erickson. That quartet, along with several others, were part of the core in 2021.
Willer ranked second on the team a year ago with 268 kills while Erickson was fourth (164). Olson shared the setting duties with graduated Grace Butler and Gurtiza led the MAC with 5.34 digs per set.
"She's a standout defensive player in this league," Gawlik said of Gurtiza, a sophomore who last season earned a spot on the MAC All-Freshman Team. "I think she's one of the better ones around and will be for a couple of years to come."
Olson appears entrenched early on at the setter spot, though Gawlik said freshman Claire Ammeraal is likely to see the floor at that position and both could be in the lineup if and when the Chippewas go to a 6-2 formation.
Gawlik, who is in his seventh year, has his system and his culture firmly entrenched. His 2022 squad falls in line with what has always envisioned as he looks to have his Chippewas in the hunt for a MAC title come November.
"You have to love what you do and we try to recruit that in our program," he said. "People that are good teammates and people that are hard workers.
"We've really been careful in the recruiting process to pick people who match our culture and pick people who buy into the way that we want to play."
Players Mentioned
Setter
/ Volleyball
Setter
/ Volleyball
Opposite/Outside Hitter
/ Volleyball
Libero/Defensive Specialist
/ Volleyball
Setter/Opposite
/ Volleyball
Outside Hitter
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