Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Central Michigan
Volleyball Wins a 3-2 Thriller Over CMU
11/2/2006 10:26:09 PM | Volleyball
Senior Lindsay Piccolini records 18 kills and eight blocks in the victory
Box score.
YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team captured an exciting 3-2 victory (30-26, 26-30, 30-27, 30-25, 15-7) over the Central Michigan Chippewas in front of the home crowd Thursday evening here at the Convocation Center. Eastern took a 2-1 lead but Central proved up to the test rallying to force the deciding fifth set. In the finale though it was all EMU, as the Green and White cruised to the 15-7 victory to take the match and push the squad's winning streak to six consecutive matches.
Senior middle blocker Lindsay Piccolini once again led the way with 18 kills and eight total blocks (5 solo, 3 assist). The only other Eagle reached double figures was freshman outside hitter Victoria Randolph with 11 kills and five digs. Senior libero Ashley Cudney posted 25 digs in the setback, while junior setter Kate Sulewski chipped in 47 assists.
For Central Michigan, Alison Baker registered 20 kill, a .371 attack percentage and four blocks (1 solo, 3 assist). Four other Chippewas tallied double-figures in kills, as Whitney Evers added 18, Kate Fissel turned in 13, Mary Ochmanek posted 13 and Sarah Warner added 10. Courtney Kersten chalked up 63 set assists while four players reached double-digits in digs.
In the opener the Eagles raced off to a 10-4 advantage before the Chippewas would get back into the contest and pull within a point at 24-23. Eastern would never give up the lead and take the lidlifter by a score of 30-26. Piccolini posted a game-high seven kills in the stanza and Sulewski registered 12 assists.
The second game would be even more tightly contested, as the set featured 15 tied and nine lead changes. Neither side was able to take a lead bigger than two points as the two squads reached the midway point tied a 15-all. CMU would eventually take a 23-22 edge that they would never relinquish, coasting to a 30-26 victory heading into the intermission.
Eastern jumped out to a 12-9 lead in the third frame but once again the Maroon and Gold would regroup and cut the deficit to just one at 22-21. Central would eventually go ontop at 27-26 but this time it was Eastern holding serve to end the game on a 4-1 run to claim the 30-27 decision. Piccolini and junior Katie Bates each posted four kills a piece as EMU took a 2-1 match lead despite being out-hit .286 to .250.
As tight as the previous games had been, game four would be no different as the teams reached the midway point all-square at 15. Back-and-fourth the rivals would battle with no side able to take more than a few point edge, until with the game tied at 25 Central would score the frame's final five points to take the 30-25 decision.
In the finale though it was all EMU, as the Green and white cruised to the 15-7 victory. The Chippewas held a 6-5 lead but the Eagles would go on a 10-1 run to close the match and dash any hopes of CMU claiming at least a share of the Mid-American Conference West Division title.
The Eagles close out the home portion of the 2006 season with a Senior Day match versus Kent State, Nov. 4. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center.
