Central Michigan University Athletics
Volleyball Releases 2024 Schedule
7/18/2024 12:49:00 PM | Volleyball
Trips to Illinois, New York and Pittsburgh with annual home tournament round out the 2024 Volleyball schedule.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — The Central Michigan Volleyball non-conference schedule was announced on Thursday. Trips for the team include Normal, Illinois, Albany, New York and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Chippewas will host the annual Chippewa Invitational as well, in McGuirk arena.
Breaking Down the Non-Conference Competition
The first road trip of the season comes as the team travels to the Illinois State Tournament where they will face Lindenwood, Bellarmine and host, Illinois State. Former Chippewa assistant coach, Matt DePauw serves as an assistant on the RedBirds coaching staff. Lindenwood and Bellarmine are brand new opponents for the Chippewas, the two programs have never faced off and will meet for the first time this season. In 2021, the Chippewas and RedBirds faced off for the first time and CMU walked away with a 4-set victory. CMU will be in Normal, Illinois on August 30th and 31st for the invitational.
In Albany, New York, the Chippewas will participate in the SUNY Albany Tournament where they will face Farleigh Dickinson, Iona and the host Grate Danes. FDU and Iona are also brand-new opponents for the Chippewa program. In 2023, Albany participated in the Chippewa Invitational and CMU walked away with a three-set victory. The tournament at UAlbany is set to take place September 6th and 7th.
Back in Mount Pleasant for the Chippewa Invitational on September 13th and 14th, Central Michigan will host Eastern Kentucky, SEMO and Green Bay. CMU and EKU have faced off seven other times in program history, most recently in 2001, a 3-4 record stands in favor of the Colonels. Last season, Central Michigan traveled to Southeastern Missouri and Green Bay for non-conference tournaments. CMU fell to SEMO 1-3 in the opening tournament and defeated Green Bay 3-0 at their own invitational.
Another trip out east will round out the non-conference preseason as CMU heads to Pennsylvania for the Duquesne /Robert Morris Invitational to face Canisius, Robert Morris and Duquesne . The tournament being held on September 20th and 21st will host games at both Robert Morris and Duquesne's campuses that are a mere 17 miles apart. CMU has never faced off with Canisius in volleyball. The Chippewas hold a 2-0 slate over the Colonials, most recently meeting in 2019 under the leadership of Gawlik, with a 3-0 victory. A 1-1 record is held between Duquesne and CMU where CMU defeated the Dukes 3-0 in 2016.
In the preseason schedule, there are 10 teams that finished the 2023 season in the top 50 for statistical categories for NCAA Division I Volleyball. Canisius (9) and EKU (29) finished in the top 50 with service aces/set with 1.97 and 1.83 respectfully, EKU finished 11th for assists/set (13.08),49th in team hitting percentage (.249), and 12th in kills/set (13.95). SEMO found themselves in the top 50 with 17.88 digs/set (2nd) and recorded 1538 total team assists on the season (28th). Iona found themselves in the top 50 in both digs/set and opponent hitting percentage. The Gaels recorded 17.77 digs/set – good for 5th best and held their opponents to a .165 hitting percentage on the season, good for 20th best in the NCAA.
Coach Gawlik Speaks on the Slate
Regarding the 2024 non-conference schedule, Coach Gawlik says "Our non-conference schedule will give us a chance to play several different styles of volleyball in preparation for our conference season. Our balanced and challenging schedule should test us in ways that will expose where we need to grow. We're excited to hose a home event as well as travel to some different places we've never been."
Gawlik enters his eighth season with the Chippewas and has taken CMU to the post season three times, including a berth in the NIVC Tournament in 2022.
The Chippewa Invitational hosted in McGuirk Arena on September 13th and 14th, will welcome, Eastern Kentucky, SEMO and Green Bay. "I speak for the team when I say we love being at home." Said Gawlk, "we play well here, we posted a 9-3 record here last season. We play well at home because of our crowd, our fans, and our families that travel. Creating an atmosphere at home that makes it fun for us and challenging for our opponent is important – that is what makes it a true home advantage."
The preseason slate proves to be one that will challenge Gawlik's squad. "We build our fall schedule to make us better and better each week before we get into MAC play." In the 2023 season, Illinois State, Green Bay and Eastern Kentucky all finished within the top 150 for NCAA Division I RPI, EKU finished in the top 100. "We try and find teams that play in different styles, with different systems and in different leagues so we can put ourselves in the best place to be competitive when we enter conference play."
Central Michigan will open conference play on the road as they head to Oxford, Ohio to take on Miami (OH) on September 26th. That match will kick off at 6:30 p.m.
Breaking Down the Non-Conference Competition
The first road trip of the season comes as the team travels to the Illinois State Tournament where they will face Lindenwood, Bellarmine and host, Illinois State. Former Chippewa assistant coach, Matt DePauw serves as an assistant on the RedBirds coaching staff. Lindenwood and Bellarmine are brand new opponents for the Chippewas, the two programs have never faced off and will meet for the first time this season. In 2021, the Chippewas and RedBirds faced off for the first time and CMU walked away with a 4-set victory. CMU will be in Normal, Illinois on August 30th and 31st for the invitational.
In Albany, New York, the Chippewas will participate in the SUNY Albany Tournament where they will face Farleigh Dickinson, Iona and the host Grate Danes. FDU and Iona are also brand-new opponents for the Chippewa program. In 2023, Albany participated in the Chippewa Invitational and CMU walked away with a three-set victory. The tournament at UAlbany is set to take place September 6th and 7th.
Back in Mount Pleasant for the Chippewa Invitational on September 13th and 14th, Central Michigan will host Eastern Kentucky, SEMO and Green Bay. CMU and EKU have faced off seven other times in program history, most recently in 2001, a 3-4 record stands in favor of the Colonels. Last season, Central Michigan traveled to Southeastern Missouri and Green Bay for non-conference tournaments. CMU fell to SEMO 1-3 in the opening tournament and defeated Green Bay 3-0 at their own invitational.
Another trip out east will round out the non-conference preseason as CMU heads to Pennsylvania for the Duquesne /Robert Morris Invitational to face Canisius, Robert Morris and Duquesne . The tournament being held on September 20th and 21st will host games at both Robert Morris and Duquesne's campuses that are a mere 17 miles apart. CMU has never faced off with Canisius in volleyball. The Chippewas hold a 2-0 slate over the Colonials, most recently meeting in 2019 under the leadership of Gawlik, with a 3-0 victory. A 1-1 record is held between Duquesne and CMU where CMU defeated the Dukes 3-0 in 2016.
In the preseason schedule, there are 10 teams that finished the 2023 season in the top 50 for statistical categories for NCAA Division I Volleyball. Canisius (9) and EKU (29) finished in the top 50 with service aces/set with 1.97 and 1.83 respectfully, EKU finished 11th for assists/set (13.08),49th in team hitting percentage (.249), and 12th in kills/set (13.95). SEMO found themselves in the top 50 with 17.88 digs/set (2nd) and recorded 1538 total team assists on the season (28th). Iona found themselves in the top 50 in both digs/set and opponent hitting percentage. The Gaels recorded 17.77 digs/set – good for 5th best and held their opponents to a .165 hitting percentage on the season, good for 20th best in the NCAA.
Coach Gawlik Speaks on the Slate
Regarding the 2024 non-conference schedule, Coach Gawlik says "Our non-conference schedule will give us a chance to play several different styles of volleyball in preparation for our conference season. Our balanced and challenging schedule should test us in ways that will expose where we need to grow. We're excited to hose a home event as well as travel to some different places we've never been."
Gawlik enters his eighth season with the Chippewas and has taken CMU to the post season three times, including a berth in the NIVC Tournament in 2022.
The Chippewa Invitational hosted in McGuirk Arena on September 13th and 14th, will welcome, Eastern Kentucky, SEMO and Green Bay. "I speak for the team when I say we love being at home." Said Gawlk, "we play well here, we posted a 9-3 record here last season. We play well at home because of our crowd, our fans, and our families that travel. Creating an atmosphere at home that makes it fun for us and challenging for our opponent is important – that is what makes it a true home advantage."
The preseason slate proves to be one that will challenge Gawlik's squad. "We build our fall schedule to make us better and better each week before we get into MAC play." In the 2023 season, Illinois State, Green Bay and Eastern Kentucky all finished within the top 150 for NCAA Division I RPI, EKU finished in the top 100. "We try and find teams that play in different styles, with different systems and in different leagues so we can put ourselves in the best place to be competitive when we enter conference play."
Central Michigan will open conference play on the road as they head to Oxford, Ohio to take on Miami (OH) on September 26th. That match will kick off at 6:30 p.m.
Volleyball on Mackinac Island 2025
Wednesday, August 27
Interview With Adam Jaksa and Arielle Wilson
Tuesday, August 26
2 Days Until First Serve
Tuesday, August 26
2025 Volleyball Maroon & Gold Scrimmage
Sunday, August 24