Point Lookout, Mo. – The Central Methodist University volleyball team opened play at the Chick-fil-A Classic on Friday afternoon, hosted by the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout Missouri. CMU defeated Johnson & Wales University from Denver 3-0, and they also defeated Haskell Indian Nations University 3-1.
With the victories, Central Methodist improves to 18-3 on the season.
"We came out strong in the first match against Johnson & Wales," said CMU head volleyball coach Allison Jones-Olson. "The second match was a hard fought battle against a scrappy Haskell team. Tomorrow (Saturday) we need to come prepared and focused for our two matches."
In the first match of the day against Johnson & Wales University from Denver, the Eagles won 3-0. Final scores were 25-22, 25-21, and 25-12. As a team Central hit .252% for the match, while holding Johnson & Wales to a .083% hitting percentage.
Individually, Darcy Latham (JR/Bismark, Mo.) led the Eagles with 14 kills. Erin Dodd (SR/Pittsburg, Ill.) finished with a team high 15 digs, and Melody Hanson (SR/Spring Hill, Kan.) chipped in with 11 digs. Caitlin Petty (SO/Leopold, Mo.) had a team high 14 assists.
In the second match of the day, Central Methodist faced Haskell Indian Nations. CMU had a tougher test in their second match of the day, but came out victorious 3-1. Final scores were 25-18, 20-25, 25-19, and 25-19. Both teams struggled hitting the ball in the match, as CMU was held to a .174 hitting percentage, and Haskell hit just .065% for the match.
Individually, the Eagles were led by Madison Bond (JR/Jefferson City, Mo.)'s 15 kills. Melody Hanson led CMU with 16 digs, as Erin Dodd finished with 15 digs and Darcy Latham finished with 14 digs. Caitlin Petty finished with a team high 18 assists, with Samantha Reed (SO/Westfield, Ind.) chipping in with 17 assists.
The Eagles finish off play on Saturday morning in The Chick-fil-A Classic, hosted by the College of the Ozarks. CMU will face both Kentucky Christian University and Fisk University, with match times set for 10am and 12 noon.
For more information about Central Methodist University athletics, visit http://www.cmueagles.com. Follow CMU athletics on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cmathletics and on Twitter twitter.com/cmueagles.
