Thursday, October 12
Kalamazoo, Mich.
5:00 PM
Central Michigan University
8-12,2-6MAC
0
at
3
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Western Michigan
17-2,7-0MAC
1
2
3
F
Central Mich.
17
22
12
0
Western Mich.
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Julia Bice '22,M'24 - @jb.jpg10
Volleyball Falls to Western Michigan
10/12/2023 10:17:00 PM | Volleyball
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Central Michigan Volleyball returned to stateside competition on Thursday, falling to Western Michigan in Kalamazoo in straight sets.
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The Chippewas certainly had their hands full against a Broncos team that coach Mike Gawlik called a "really well-balanced team", falling 17-25, 22-25 and 12-25.
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"They're playing about as complete a volleyball as there is in this league," Gawlik said. "When you're playing a team that is capable of playing at a high level, you have to match that. I thought that there were moments tonight where we matched that. There were rallies where we would match where they are and at times do really well."
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In what was its closest matchup of the evening, set two saw CMU nearly keep pace with WMU offensively - registering 14 kills to the Broncos' 16 - and included 7 ties throughout.
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"I think set two was up for grabs and certainly was there in late game situations for us to jump on," Gawlik said.Â
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Junior opposite Linnea Willer continued her strong offensive output of late with six kills in set two, including the first two points for the Chippewas. She led CMU in kills on the night with 10 on an attack percentage of .286.
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Among other Chippewa statistical leaders were sophomore setter Claire Ammeraal, with 25 assists and a pair of block assists - which tied senior middle blocker Elly Medendorp. Junior libero Aly Gurtiza led the way with 13 digs.
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As Gawlik mentioned, CMU had some moments where it matched Western's level of play. Much of that was fueled by the Chippewas' offensive attack. However, Gawlik wants to see his team round out and play a more complete game overall.
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"For two sets we were hitting pretty well," he said. "Our problem is defensively, we didn't get enough stops. We weren't as aggressive as we wanted to be from the service line. We made a couple of early service errors."
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Along with Willer, junior outside hitter Lauren Schrock also had a strong performance. She registered six kills and was credited with a team-high three blocks.
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"I think Lauren took some big swings and had some big moments," Gawlik said.
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Looking forward, CMU will get another chance at WMU on Friday for the series finale at 5 p.m. ET. The Chippewas have already identified areas which they need to improve to even up the series.
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"In order to disrupt their ability to run their offense, you have to be able to take some risks from the service line," Gawlik said. "I think that's something tomorrow that we've got to be more accountable to accepting that challenge. I think we're capable. I know we're capable point-to-point. We have to put it together for longer stretches of time."
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The Chippewas certainly had their hands full against a Broncos team that coach Mike Gawlik called a "really well-balanced team", falling 17-25, 22-25 and 12-25.
Â
"They're playing about as complete a volleyball as there is in this league," Gawlik said. "When you're playing a team that is capable of playing at a high level, you have to match that. I thought that there were moments tonight where we matched that. There were rallies where we would match where they are and at times do really well."
Â
In what was its closest matchup of the evening, set two saw CMU nearly keep pace with WMU offensively - registering 14 kills to the Broncos' 16 - and included 7 ties throughout.
Â
"I think set two was up for grabs and certainly was there in late game situations for us to jump on," Gawlik said.Â
Â
Junior opposite Linnea Willer continued her strong offensive output of late with six kills in set two, including the first two points for the Chippewas. She led CMU in kills on the night with 10 on an attack percentage of .286.
Â
Among other Chippewa statistical leaders were sophomore setter Claire Ammeraal, with 25 assists and a pair of block assists - which tied senior middle blocker Elly Medendorp. Junior libero Aly Gurtiza led the way with 13 digs.
Â
As Gawlik mentioned, CMU had some moments where it matched Western's level of play. Much of that was fueled by the Chippewas' offensive attack. However, Gawlik wants to see his team round out and play a more complete game overall.
Â
"For two sets we were hitting pretty well," he said. "Our problem is defensively, we didn't get enough stops. We weren't as aggressive as we wanted to be from the service line. We made a couple of early service errors."
Â
Along with Willer, junior outside hitter Lauren Schrock also had a strong performance. She registered six kills and was credited with a team-high three blocks.
Â
"I think Lauren took some big swings and had some big moments," Gawlik said.
Â
Looking forward, CMU will get another chance at WMU on Friday for the series finale at 5 p.m. ET. The Chippewas have already identified areas which they need to improve to even up the series.
Â
"In order to disrupt their ability to run their offense, you have to be able to take some risks from the service line," Gawlik said. "I think that's something tomorrow that we've got to be more accountable to accepting that challenge. I think we're capable. I know we're capable point-to-point. We have to put it together for longer stretches of time."
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Team Stats
CMU
WMU
Kills
30
51
Errors
12
12
Attempts
97
105
Hitting %
.186
.371
Points
37.0
62.0
Assists
30
44
Aces
2
5
Blocks
5
6
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
10
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
S
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