Friday, September 30
Toledo, Ohio
6 p.m.
Central Michigan University
10-5,3-1MAC
3
at
1
Toledo
10-5,3-1MAC
1
2
3
4
F
Central Mich.
25
25
22
25
3
Toledo
21
22
25
16
1
Photo by: Sydney Kline '26 - @sydney.kline.photography
Volleyball Bounces Back, Earns MAC Split At Toledo
9/30/2022 11:48:00 PM | Volleyball
TOLEDO, Ohio – After falling down, the only thing to do is to get right back up.
The Central Michigan volleyball team rebounded from its Thursday loss to Toledo on Friday as the Chippewas took down the Rockets in four sets to close out a Mid-American Conference series at Savage Arena.
After claiming the first sets, 25-21 and 25-22, the Chippewas were denied the sweep and fell in set three, 25-22. CMU then bounced back for the win in a dominant fourth set, 25-16.
"Our messaging (after Thursday's loss) was that great teams find ways to bounce back from disappointment," CMU coach Mike Gawlik said. "We aren't going to go undefeated on the year, it's never really been our goal -- even though it is a goal to win every match -- but the expectation is to bounce back.
"We said that this would be a more defining match for us about who we are as a group. From that standpoint, I was really pleased with our attention to detail and ability to grow from (Thursday's) match and fix some of the things we wanted to do better, and have some people who maybe didn't play as well as they'd wanted to show that they can bounce back."
An 8-1 run turned the tables in CMU's favor in the first set as the Chippewas trailed, 15-13, heading into a timeout. That big spurt led to the 25-21 set win. The momentum kept rolling in set two as CMU trailed just once, 1-0, and then pulled away, slowly, in building a comfortable lead to take the set.
An 8-1 Rockets lead set the tone for the third set, but the Chippewas refused to go down without a fight and pulled within one, 20-19, before eventually falling, 25-22.
The Chippewas led by just two, 12-10, in the finale and then hit the gas with a 13-5 run to reach match point, 24-15. Toledo scored once more, but could not fend off Natalia Rejment's match-winning attack.
Toledo completed the match with a cumulative .134 hitting percentage. The Chippewas, who hit .107 on Thursday, posted a .274 hitting percentage on Friday.
"I think we were able to up our offensive productivity by keeping Toledo right where they were at (on Thursday)," Gawlik said. "We wanted to manage that and be more patient through rallies, be more selective with the swings we're taking and be smarter with the ones we don't. I think that was more of the takeaway (Friday) that we executed really well."
Rejment and Mallory Hernandez had 11 kills apiece behind Anna Erickson's team-high 12.
Junior middle blocker Elly Medendorp contributed to seven of CMU's 12 blocks, Maddie Whitfield assisted with four.
Freshman setter Claire Ammeraal tabbed 43 assists, one shy of her career high, and Aly Gurtiza finished with 23 digs.
CMU is slated to return to McGuirk Arena to host a pair of matches against Ohio (8-6, 2-1 MAC) on Thursday, Oct. 6 (6 p.m.) and Kent State (9-5, 0-3) on Friday, Oct. 7 (6 p.m.). The Bobcats were swept by Bowling Green on Friday.
At 3-1, CMU is in good position as it begins to hit its stride in the MAC schedule. The Chippewas opened league play with a two-match sweep of defending league champion Ball State.
"We've played two really good teams through four matches," Gawlik said. "Hopefully, that helps us elevate our style of play and we're not willing to drop that no matter who we play, and I think the front of our schedule is pretty tough. I feel like our ability to battle night-in, night-out, one match at a time, is going to put us in a good position."
The Central Michigan volleyball team rebounded from its Thursday loss to Toledo on Friday as the Chippewas took down the Rockets in four sets to close out a Mid-American Conference series at Savage Arena.
After claiming the first sets, 25-21 and 25-22, the Chippewas were denied the sweep and fell in set three, 25-22. CMU then bounced back for the win in a dominant fourth set, 25-16.
"Our messaging (after Thursday's loss) was that great teams find ways to bounce back from disappointment," CMU coach Mike Gawlik said. "We aren't going to go undefeated on the year, it's never really been our goal -- even though it is a goal to win every match -- but the expectation is to bounce back.
"We said that this would be a more defining match for us about who we are as a group. From that standpoint, I was really pleased with our attention to detail and ability to grow from (Thursday's) match and fix some of the things we wanted to do better, and have some people who maybe didn't play as well as they'd wanted to show that they can bounce back."
An 8-1 run turned the tables in CMU's favor in the first set as the Chippewas trailed, 15-13, heading into a timeout. That big spurt led to the 25-21 set win. The momentum kept rolling in set two as CMU trailed just once, 1-0, and then pulled away, slowly, in building a comfortable lead to take the set.
An 8-1 Rockets lead set the tone for the third set, but the Chippewas refused to go down without a fight and pulled within one, 20-19, before eventually falling, 25-22.
The Chippewas led by just two, 12-10, in the finale and then hit the gas with a 13-5 run to reach match point, 24-15. Toledo scored once more, but could not fend off Natalia Rejment's match-winning attack.
Toledo completed the match with a cumulative .134 hitting percentage. The Chippewas, who hit .107 on Thursday, posted a .274 hitting percentage on Friday.
"I think we were able to up our offensive productivity by keeping Toledo right where they were at (on Thursday)," Gawlik said. "We wanted to manage that and be more patient through rallies, be more selective with the swings we're taking and be smarter with the ones we don't. I think that was more of the takeaway (Friday) that we executed really well."
Rejment and Mallory Hernandez had 11 kills apiece behind Anna Erickson's team-high 12.
Junior middle blocker Elly Medendorp contributed to seven of CMU's 12 blocks, Maddie Whitfield assisted with four.
Freshman setter Claire Ammeraal tabbed 43 assists, one shy of her career high, and Aly Gurtiza finished with 23 digs.
CMU is slated to return to McGuirk Arena to host a pair of matches against Ohio (8-6, 2-1 MAC) on Thursday, Oct. 6 (6 p.m.) and Kent State (9-5, 0-3) on Friday, Oct. 7 (6 p.m.). The Bobcats were swept by Bowling Green on Friday.
At 3-1, CMU is in good position as it begins to hit its stride in the MAC schedule. The Chippewas opened league play with a two-match sweep of defending league champion Ball State.
"We've played two really good teams through four matches," Gawlik said. "Hopefully, that helps us elevate our style of play and we're not willing to drop that no matter who we play, and I think the front of our schedule is pretty tough. I feel like our ability to battle night-in, night-out, one match at a time, is going to put us in a good position."
Team Stats
CMU
UT
Kills
54
48
Errors
14
27
Attempts
146
157
Hitting %
.274
.134
Points
70
61
Assists
51
45
Aces
4
7
Blocks
12
6
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
12
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
11
Aces
2
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Players Mentioned
Setter
/ VolleyballOpposite/Outside Hitter
/ Volleyball
Libero/Defensive Specialist
/ VolleyballOutside Hitter
/ Volleyball
Middle Blocker
/ VolleyballOutside Hitter
/ 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