Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jeffrey Lamonde Freshman Sam Otte and the volleyball team travel to Ball State and Toledo this weekend, looking for their fourth and fifth consecutive wins. [Click to enlarge]

The volleyball team faces off against the two worst teams in the Mid-American Conference West Division this weekend.

The Chippewas take on Ball State at 7 p.m. Friday in Muncie, Ind., before going to Toledo, Ohio at 3 p.m. Saturday against the Rockets.

Ball State (3-19 overall, 2-8 MAC) and Toledo (3-18, 0-10) have combined for six wins this season, but CMU knows a win isn't guaranteed. Especially against a Toledo team that always seems to play the Chippewas tough.

"Even though Toledo is down, they always give us a good fight," said senior setter Courtney Kersten. "They are like little gnats that won't go away."

Kersten runs the offense by dishing out assists to reigning MAC West Division Player of the Week Kate Fissel. Fissel leads the MAC in kills with 4.85 per game and her .62 aces per game ranks her atop the MAC rankings for assists.

Although she has put together an exceptional season, Fissel isn't about to take the credit.

"I take pride in the team effort it takes to get an award like that," Fissel said.

The Cardinals are fourth in the MAC in digs and third in blocks, which is something coach Erik Olson is aware of, but feels his team will overcome.

Although BSU and Toledo present challenges this weekend, Olson believes if the Chippewas play solid volleyball CMU will come home with two wins.

"I don't think either team has enough game to go out there and truly beat us unless we lower our game," he said.



sports@cm-life.com

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