Volleyball chasing WMU for top spot

The CMU volleyball team will finish a four-game home stretch at 7 p.m. Saturday against Kent State in Rose Arena.

The match is the finale for the Chippewas against East division opponents. The Golden Flashes have a 4-6 Mid-American Conference record, fourth in the East division.

“Kent State is a different team than any other in the MAC,” said coach Erik Olson. “Their offense is run out of the center of the court. Hitters can take sets from in front or behind the setter. It is very difficult to defend.”

Kent State senior Arjola Prenga leads her team with 301 kills. Prenga came over to Kent State from Albania.

“They have a really strong outside hitter from overseas,” Olson said. “They have also a libero who moved over from the outside hitter position.”

The Golden Flashes have been able to find success on offense while moving the block around on defense. KSU ranks second in the MAC in blocks per set.

“The way we challenge an offense like Kent State’s is to keep serving aggressively,” Olson said. “If we can keep them out of system, then we will do just fine.”

The Chippewas (6-5 MAC) are behind the West division leader Western Michigan by two matches, but could narrow the gap with a win.

“We are very excited to play Kent State because it is the last match we will get to play before having to go back on the road,” said senior libero Alexis Lonneman. “We have to make sure we don’t get down on ourselves if a couple points don’t go our way.”