Chippewas will go winless in MAC with pair of losses
The volleyball team is on the brink of joining the ranks of a select group of CMU teams — seven teams in the history of the university to go winless in the Mid-American Conference.
The sad seven are the ‘88, ‘92 and ‘93 field hockey teams; the ‘95 men’s basketball team; the ‘82-83 wrestling squad and the ‘85 and ‘88 gymnastics teams.
In an ironic twist of conference statistics, CMU (3-21 overall, 0-14 MAC) could also become one of just seven MAC volleyball teams to go winless since play began in 1983.
CMU hosts the Rockets Friday and Ball State Saturday at 7 p.m. at Rose Arena in its final chances to win a MAC match.
Its entry into this all-university hall of shame looks like a virtual lock since both Toledo and Ball State swept CMU once already this season.
It has lost 20 consecutive conference matches dating back to last season.
After being aced 12 times by No. 20 Ohio last weekend, CMU devoted much of this week’s practice to serve and passing.
Each practice, assistant coaches Sara Wilcox, Becky Olson and Casey Thompson keep tallies on each players performance on both defense and offense.
“We worked on passing and statistically our numbers show that we have improved,” said coach Erik Olson. “We also played with even teams during practice, which makes us better all around.”
Toledo (15-11 overall, 8-6 MAC) had a season-high .421 attack percentage when it swept CMU earlier this season.
The Rockets are led by junior outside hitter Kate Bean, who ranks fifth in the MAC with 4.05 kills per game and 4.84 points per game. Senior middle blocker Kelsey Culver has a .321 hitting percentage, while sophomore setter Emi Holsclaw is fourth in the MAC with 12.03 assists per game.
“Central Michigan is going to be prepared to play us because they do a good job of scouting,” Toledo coach Kent Miller said in a press release. “We need to go in and take care of what we do on our side of the court immediately and set the tone early in the match.”
Ball State (17-8 overall, 10-4 MAC) is led by senior hitter Sarah Obras, who enters this weekend 22 kills away from breaking the all-time MAC mark of 1,907. Senior hitter Rachel Refenes averages 4.49 kills per game.
It will be the final regular season matches for Chippewa seniors Ali McCrite and Jillian Bouchey.
McCrite moved into second place on the MAC’s career digs list after tallying 31 digs in a 3-1 loss to EMU last weekend.
