Central Michigan University
Morgan State
CMU Volleyball Bounces Back, Wins Tourney Finale
9/4/2016 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Central Michigan Volleyball team bounced back from an 0-2 start to the Auto Owners Insurance Spartan Invitational Sunday with a 3-1 victory over Morgan State in the Chippewas' tournament finale at MSU's Jenison Fieldhouse.
The Chippewas (2-4) dropped their first two matches of the tournament, both in straight sets, to No. 7-ranked Florida and host Michigan State, on Saturday.
"I think we made a lot of strides today," said CMU coach Mike Gawlik on Sunday. "After playing two very tough teams (Saturday) we knew we had to come out and be prepared for a real scrappy team in Morgan State and I think we did that."
CMU took the first two sets, 25-16 and 25-12. The Bears bounced back with a 25- 21 win in the third. The Chippewas captured the fourth set, 25-23, to wrap up the match.
Central Michigan finished the match with a season-high .379 hitting percentage. Morgan State finished at .209.
Jordan Bueter and Taylor Robertson had 11 kills apiece to lead CMU, while Paige Carey and Kathia Sanchez added 10 each. Sanchez also finished with a team-leading 25 assists from the setter position.
"I think we had a real god balance offensively today with several players contributing," Gawlik said. "When you have good balance, you're able to keep teams guessing with your middle blockers and outside hitters and I think that's the main reason why our hitting percentage as a whole was much better today."
Junior libero Courtney Hiltibran led the Chippewas on defense with team-high 16 digs. Bueter added 12, and Sanchez had 10.
Natashia Barker led Morgan State (0-7) with 17 kills.
"Overall I think we accomplished a lot of things we were looking to get out of this tournament," said Gawlik. "We still have a number of things to work on but we just need to work on improving each and every day."
The Chippewas are scheduled to play in the Valparaiso Popcorn Festival Tournament on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 9-10. CMU is slated to play South Dakota State, the host Crusaders, and Southeast Missouri in the tournament.
