CMU Volleyball Beats BGSU in Five Sets on Volleyween Night

Central Michigan Volleyball celebrated its Volleyween night in style with a thrilling five-set victory over Bowling Green on Friday. The Chippewas (11-13, 5-7) had set wins of 25-16, 25-21, and 15-11 to secure their third straight victory.

The win was especially significant as it marked the first time CMU had won a set against BGSU in the schools’ last five meetings. Additionally, before Friday’s win the Falcons had won the last seven matches, as well as 10 of the last 11 meetings.

“It feels good,” said coach Mike Gawlik of the win. “We talked about turning the page between the first half of conference play and the second half last week. We said with seven of nine at that time being at home, we know that we play well in McGuirk. We play well in front of our home fans. The schedule goes the way it does, playing on the road as much as we did the first half. So, to win two last weekend’s then win today, really after getting waxed in set three. Our response to say ‘hey, we’re not going anywhere and we’re not backing down’ within matches, our season, and MAC play. We know that we always feel good going into a fifth set and I just loved how aggressive we were.”

Junior outside hitter Lauren Schrock led the Chippewas with 18 kills, one shy of her career high. Schrock also had five digs and three blocks. Sophomore setter Claire Ammeraal had a team-high 39 assists, five kills, and three blocks. Junior opposite Krystina Kasson led CMU with four blocks, while junior libero Aly Gurtiza chipped in a team-high 17 digs.

Bowling Green was led by sophomore outside hitter Lauryn Hovey, who charted 32 kills on the night, just shy of the program record for BGSU in five sets.

The Chippewas return to McGuirk on Saturday (Oct. 28) to face off against Miami (Ohio) in their Dig Pink themed game. The match is slated to start at 4 p.m. ET.