CMU volleyball remains winless after DePaul/UIC Invitational
Central Michigan University sophomore defensive specialist/libero Rainey Weidman drops to receive the ball at the volleyball game at McGuirk Arena on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. Weidman had three digs against Michigan State University. (CM Life | Jasmine Brookins)
The Central Michigan volleyball team is now 0-10 after a trip to Chicago over the weekend. They competed in the DePaul/University of Illinois-Chicago Invitational and were swept in all three matches.
The Chippewas fell to DePaul Friday evening, then Auburn and UIC on Saturday.
Game 1
DePaul, which had just come off two losses to No. 1 Nebraska and No. 12 Penn State, got off to a hot start. It quickly took the lead 5-1, were the first to 15 points and ultimately took the first set 25-14.
Freshman outside hitter Alexis Carper charted three kills within the first few minutes of the set.
The rest of the night unfolded similarly. Errors at the service line, Chippewa overpasses, and a lack of communication led to a DePaul sweep.
The Blue Devils hit .500 in the final set and put up a strong block, making it difficult for CMU to gain any sort of traction.
Sophomore outside hitter Taylor Cripe led the Chippewas with 11 kills, while freshman middle blocker Brenna Storz and Carper followed with four apiece.
Sophomore defensive specialist/libero Cecilia Bustamente and Cripe both had nine digs.
Game 2
The Saturday afternoon matchup between Auburn and the Chippewas ended in another sweep.
The Tigers nearly doubled CMU’s kills, charting 45 compared to the Chippewas’ 22.
Central Michigan put up a fight in the first two sets, both of which ended 25-19, but the Tigers had full control over the third with a 25-11 win.
Cripe led the Chippewas again with nine kills, followed by Carper, who tallied seven. Sophomore setter/opposite Karla Sanchez-George picked up four kills.
Sanchez-George and Storz each had two blocks, and Bustamente charted 12 digs.
Game 3
Central Michigan concluded the invitational with a loss to UIC.
Sophomore middle blocker Lilly Mullholand, Storz, and Carper tallied seven kills apiece for the Chippewas.
Carper also picked up two aces.
Central Michigan maintained a lead for the majority of the second set, although UIC came out on top after tying the game at 15. The Flames ended this set 25-21 with a kill.
Freshman middle blocker Meisha Sykes, Storz and Mullholand each had three blocks, while Bustamente picked up 17 digs.
CMU concluded its weekend with a 25-20 loss in the third and final set.
Central Michigan heads to Miami, Florida next weekend to compete in FIU’s 305 Classic. The Chippewas take on Florida International University and Jacksonville Friday, then Alabama A&M Saturday morning.
