SETTING THE SCENE
The Central Michigan volleyball team will open Mid-American Conference play with a pair of home matches, the first on Thursday (7 p.m.) against Toledo (5-7), and the second against Ball State (8-5) on Saturday (8 p.m.).
GOOD START
The Chippewas went 8-4 during nonconference play, posting winning records in three of the four invitational in which they participated.
TOUGH COMPETITION
Two of CMU’s losses came in the Shamrock Invitational last weekend. They fell to 23rd-ranked Michigan State and to host Notre Dame. The Spartans and Irish emerged from the weekend a combined 20-3.