TOLEDO, OH – Toledo volleyball team defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas 3-2 on Friday evening in Savage Arena. The Rockets improve to 6-22, 3-12 MAC, while the Chips fall to 11-17, 6-9 MAC.
 
The Midnight Blue and Gold fell to the Chips earlier in the season but played a fantastic match across the court tonight with multiple Rockets assisting in the win.
 
Five Rockets tallied over 10 digs. Freshman libero Maurissa Leonard posted a team-high 16 digs, while senior DS Maddie Strall and freshman DS Andrea Stephenson recorded 15 apiece. Junior DS Maggie Johnston tallied 13 and freshman RSH/S Carly Townsend added 11.
 
Townsend quarterbacked Toledo's attack recording a career-high 55 assists.
 
Sophomore OH Saige Thomas led UT with 14 terminations while freshman MB Gracey Tuifua followed with 13 and junior OH Mary O'Connor added 12. Sophomore OH Annie Beasley and sophomore MB Rachel Vidourek both tallied 9 apiece.
 
Both teams brought intensity to the first set and tied the score 15 times. UT took a time out to regroup when they were down 24-22. The Rockets re-entered the set fired up and scored the last four points to win the set 26-24. Tuifua posted six terminations and a .545 ATK%.
 
The second set was as tight as the first but Toledo was not able to push through with a victory. Central Michigan took the set 25-23 with help from sophomore OH Jordan Bueter who notched seven kills.
 
The Rockets only trailed for one point in the third set until the Chippewas tied the score at 24 and notched the last two points to win the set.
 
The fourth set was the complete opposite of the third. Central Michigan only trailed for one point until the score was tied at 22. The Rockets tallied three of the last four points to take the set 25-23.
 
The Chippewas took control of the fifth set from the beginning. UT was able to tie the score up at 10 and the two teams battled for the victory. The Rockets scored the last two points to win the set 16-14 and take the match.
 
The Midnight Blue and Gold play their final match of the season tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. when they host Eastern Michigan. UT will also be honoring their two seniors, Alex Hines and Maddie Strall, for their achievements over the course of their time at Toledo.