Bulls Chip Away for 3-2 Win Over Central Michigan

Thursday, October 5

Buffalo, N.Y.

6 p.m.

14-3,4-1MAC

Central Michigan

8-10,2-4MAC

Central Mich.

Buffalo

Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UBBulls.com

Bulls Chip Away for 3-2 Win Over Central Michigan

10/5/2023 9:57:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Zach Monell

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo women's volleyball team (14-3, 4-1 MAC) defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas (8-10, 2-4 MAC) in a five-set thriller on Thursday evening, 22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 15-11. The 4-1 start in MAC play is their best start in program history.The Bulls defeated the Chippewas in back-to-back seasons for just the second time.

It was a career night for Katrin Trebichavska as she racked up a match and career-high 27 kills. The MAC leader in aces per set added four more to her total. Mandy Leigh helped the offensive attack as she added a season-high 57 assists. She finished with her 10^th double-double of the season as she had 13 digs on the evening. Maria Futey and Julianna Lopez added double digit digs with 17 and 18, respectively.

UB improved to 10-2 on the season when two Bulls had at least kills as Courtney Okwara added 13 kills to Trebichavska's 27.

There was no room for error throughout the match. The Chippewas won the first set despite only hitting .250 to UB's .312. The Bulls struggled on both sides of the serve in the set as they had four errors on receptions and while serving. That was the key difference as Central Michigan only had two.

The narrative flipped in the second set as it was the Bulls finding themselves hitting less than the Chippewas at .300 to .273. Three points was largest lead in the set which was held by Central Michigan twice, but the Bulls overcame the deficit. Lopez had a solid stretch of serves in the later stages of the set that helped the Bulls take the late 23-21 lead. UB held on to take the set, 25-23.

Neither team hit well in the third set as the Bulls were just hitting .087 with the Chippewas at .053. Trebichavska had a set-high six kills, just two less than what Central Michigan could muster up. Both squads had two aces, but the Chippewas had four services errors and two reception errors. Down 19-17, the Bulls finished the set on an 8-2 run to take it, 25-22.

It looked as though the Bulls would win the match in four, but the Chippewas had other plans. Despite having 16 kills, UB allowed 12 kills and Central Michigan to have a hitting percentage of .345. The Bulls kept the Chippewas in the set with seven attack, four service, and two reception errors. The Bulls found themselves leading 21-20 before a Central Michigan timeout. The Chippewas closed the set on a 5-0 run to win, 25-21.

The Bulls saved the best for last as they had an attack percentage of .476 in the final set. It was a balanced offensive attack as five Bulls racked up 11 kills in the set. UB won the decisive set as Manoela Forlin called game.

"We stayed steady with our game plan, we really got Katrin [Trebichavska] going from the front and back row," stated Head Coach Scott Smith. "We kind of leaned on her for a long time, but we had a lot of people step up. I think we're just really gritty. I think we didn't let the plays down and we kind of chipping away and we're able to put it together and pull it out at the end."

The Bulls are back in action tomorrow against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at 6 p.m. Catch the MACtion in Alumni Arena.