Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Central Michigan
Volleyball Downs Instate Rival Central Michigan, 3-1
11/4/2005 10:34:11 PM | Volleyball
Junior Lindsay Piccolini tallies 21 kills and seven total blocks
YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team defeated Mid-American Conference West Division foe Central Michigan Friday, Nov. 4, here at the Convocation Center. The Eagles won the match 3-1 (30-19, 30-16, 28-30, 38-36) to close within one victory of clinching a share of the program's first MAC West Division title.
With the victory, EMU improves to 18-6 (11-2 MAC) on the season, while Central Michigan fall to 3-20 (0-13 MAC) on the season.
In the first set, the two teams traded points, knotting the score at 9-9. EMU rattled off 21 of the next 31 points to take the frame 30-19. Junior Lindsay Piccolini and sophomore Melissa Bartlett added five kills apiece, while sophomore Kate Sulewski tallied 14 set assists.
In the second game, EMU rolled off nine quick points to take a 9-1 advantage. The Chippewas would never challenge as the Eagles sealed the 2-0 match lead with a 30-16 victory. EMU's Bethany Piccolini tallied three kills two total blocks (1 solo, 1 assist), while sister Lindsay added a game-high four kills and three total blocks (1 solo, 3 assist), while CMU was paced by Sarah Warner with three kills.
Despite losing game two, the momentum was building for the Chippewas as they reached the mid-point of the game first with a 15-14 lead. The Maron and Gold led by as many as three points as they won the game 30-28.
In the finale, CMU moved out to a quick 5-4 lead and continued to battle as EMU would not let the game get out of reach. EMU built a four point lead, 18-14, before CMU rallied off six quick points to take a 20-19. CMU pushed the advantage to three, 26-23, and were looking to close out the frame and tie the match at 2-2. The Chippwas had trouble closing out though as the host Eagles would not go down without a fight. CMU had nine chances to win the game, but each time EMU responded with a sideout. Finally, it was the Eagles who closed out the game and the match, 38-36.
Four Eagles tallied double-digit kills, including junior Lindsay Piccolini who added 21 kills and seven total blocks (2 solo, 5 assist) in the victory. Senior Becky Baltare added 19 kills and three total blocks (1 solo, 2 assist),while sophomore Melissa Bartlett tallied 18 kills and 25 digs and senior Bethany Piccolini recorded 12 kills and six total blocks (2 solo, 4 blocks). Sulewski added 72 set assists.
For Central Michigan, Mary Ochmanek paced the attack with 13 kills and seven total blocks (1 solo, 6 assst) for a total of 18.0 points.
The Eagles travel to Kent, Ohio tomorrow, Nov. 5, to tangle with the Kent State Golden Flashes. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
