CMU volleyball still searching for win and identity
Central Michigan volleyball players stand in a huddle during a timeout against Eastern Michigan University in McGuirk Arena, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (CM-Life | Alivia Cranick)
The Central Michigan volleyball team’s search for a win continues.
CMU was swept by the Ohio Bobcats Saturday evening and now falls to 0-15 overall and 0-2 in the Mid-American Conference.
“I think they're still trying to find out their identity, their culture,” head coach Arielle Wilson said.
The Chippewas kicked the night off with a 25-19 set loss to Ohio in which Sophomore outside hitter Taylor Cripe charted five kills.
CMU adjusted in the second set, switching setters from sophomore Brytn Lyon to freshman Audrey Hackney.
The Chippewas stuck around for the majority of the set and shaved the Bobcats’ lead to one at 21-20, forcing Ohio to take a timeout.
The Bobcats came out of the timeout stronger, picking up two quick points to make it 23-20.
Then, two attack errors from the Chippewas ultimately gave the Bobcats another set, 25-20.
Ohio wasted no time taking the reins in the third set, picking up an early six-point lead.
The team from Athens later went on a 5-0 run to separate from the Chippewas 19-11, then put an end to the night with a 25-19 win.
The visiting Bobcats’ offense was on tempo finishing the night with a .299 hitting percentage.
Again, the team in maroon and gold could not get over the hump.
"You got to fight harder,” Wilson said.
She emphasized the importance of being gritty and mentally tough if the team wants to secure the first win of the season.
“I think right now we’re working on again what that culture is and then also the fight,” Wilson said. “We just got to keep building.”
Cripe led the Chippewas with eight kills on Saturday, followed by sophomore right side Karla Sanchez-George, who had seven.
Sophomore defensive specialist/libero Rainey Weidman picked up 11 digs.
Lyon had 15 assists in the match, while Hackney contributed 13.
Weidman and freshman defensive specialist Addison Samolinski each had two aces apiece.
The Chippewas head to Kalamazoo on Tuesday to take on in-state rival Western Michigan. The match is set to start at 6 p.m.
Wilson said her team’s focus going into this matchup is working hard, building, and having mental toughness.
