History made in an infamous way
There were only seven CMU teams in the history of the university to go winless in the Mid-American Conference before the weekend.
But after a pair of 3-1 losses to Toledo Friday and Ball State Saturday at Rose Arena, the volleyball team became the eighth team to join the group, finishing 0-16 in the MAC.
The team joins 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 to go winless.
It also became one of just seven MAC volleyball teams to go winless since play began in 1983.
CMU finished the regular season 3-23 and lost 22 consecutive conference matches dating back to last season.
“It’s just really disappointing,” said senior libero Ali McCrite. “It’s very hard to think that I was this team’s leader and we couldn’t accomplish more.”
CMU plays at Toledo for a rematch Tuesday in the opening round of the MAC tournament.
The Chippewas won game three against BSU to force a fourth game after losing the first two 30-25 and 30-20.
But in game four the Cardinals held CMU to a .022 hitting percentage to win the match-clinching game 30-21.
“I think I got all that I could out of my physical talent this season,” said coach Erik Olson. “We have talent, but we have to understand that playing well for one or two games and then playing bad for one or two games isn’t going to cut it. We didn’t seem to understand that you can’t just show up. It’s a mental aspect that we’re going to have to take to another level.”
CMU won the first game 31-29 against Toledo Friday, but lost the last three 30-21, 30-22 and 31-29.
The Chippewas led game four 29-26 before succumbing to a five-point Toledo rally to lose the match 3-1.
Sophomore Courtney Kersten set up junior hitter Kristen Wiloch to put CMU up 29-26, but consecutive kills by Toledo senior hitter Chelsey Poquette sparked the run.
The Chippewas never trailed in game one, as McCrite delivered the win from the serving stripe.
Evers led CMU with 14 kills, nine blocks and a .344 hitting percentage, while Fissel had 12 kills and freshman Erika Neumann had eight kills.
Kersten tallied 47 assists and 14 digs, while McCrite had 28 digs.
“We talk about the losing streaks all the time,” Evers said. “It’s real frustrating for us. Some how or some way, it would be nice if we could find a way to win.”
