Akron (7-8, 1-1 MAC)
The Zips have struggled as they have dropped five out of their last six matches, with the 3-1 win at Buffalo prior to its a five-set loss to Ball State at home. Amanda Bueter has been a bright spot on offense as she is seventh in the MAC with 3.27 kills per set. Akron hits the road again to take on Bowling Green and Miami this weekend.
Ball State (8-8, 2-0 MAC)
Starting their MAC season undefeated are the Cardinals, who picked up a pair of 3-2 victories over Toledo and the aforementioned match with Akron. The Cards' five five-set triumphs are the team's most since winning the regular season conference title in 2007. Leading the way for the Ball State attack is Jenna Spadafora with her 9.79 assists per set, which is good enough for third in the MAC. BSU hosts Northern Illinois and Western Michigan this weekend in some pivotal MAC West matchups.
Bowling Green (4-11, 0-2 MAC)
The Falcons didn't have a good weekend as they were swept by Ohio and lost in four sets to Kent State. The team was held to a hitting percentage of less than .155 and hope to turn it around at home this weekend against Akron and Buffalo.
Buffalo (2-12, 1-1 MAC)
After losing 3-1 to Akron, the Bulls picked up their second win of the season against Toledo. The offense for Buffalo finally got off the ground against the Rockets as five players recorded double-digit kills. UB has some tough outs this weekend as they travel to Miami and Bowling Green.
Central Michigan (6-9, 1-1 MAC)
Following a four-set defeat at Northern Illinois, the Chippewas came away from Kalamazoo with a big 3-2 win over Western Michigan in their first win there since 2006. Jessica Meichtry had a big night for the Chips with a .324 hitting percentage and 16 kills. CMU heads for Eastern Michigan before wrapping up the weekend with a home game against Kent State.
Eastern Michigan (8-7, 0-2 MAC)
The Eagles dropped their third and fourth matches in a row with losses at NIU and WMU. EMU's hitting percentage was held under .145 in the two matches, and it doesn't get any easier this weekend as it hosts CMU and Ohio.
Kent State (7-7, 1-1 MAC)
After its five-set loss to Miami, the Flashes rebounded nicely with a 3-1 victory over Bowling Green. Kelsey Bittinger led the charge for Kent State with a .433 hitting percentage and 16 kills against the Falcons as KSU looks to continue its offensive success against Ohio and at CMU this weekend.
Miami (9-6, 1-1 MAC)
The RedHawks fell in four sets to Ohio after taking down Kent State over the weekend as Miami struggled mightily on offense against the Bobcats, committed twice the amount of attack errors (28) than the 'Cats committed. MU looks to make amends this weekend as it hosts Buffalo and Akron.
Northern Illinois (6-8, 2-0 MAC)
Tied with Ball State atop of the MAC West standings after beating Central and Eastern Michigan, the Huskies face a road test in the division with the Cardinals and Toledo on the docket. T'ara Austin has been a consistent force on offense for NIU with 3.62 kills per set, which is 4th in the MAC.
Ohio (12-3, 2-0 MAC)
The Bobcats took their fourth and fifth match in a row with wins over Bowling Green and Miami. The 'Cats were far from flawless in their four-set victory over the RedHawks as they committed 14 service errors, but Abby Gilleland powered the team through its struggles with 13 kills and 22 digs. Ohio hits the road this weekend to take on Kent State and Eastern Michigan.
Toledo (3-12, 0-2 MAC)
Toledo's woes continue as they fell to Ball State and Buffalo in its MAC opener as the team has an average hitting percentage of sub-.100 in the two matches. Chances of the Rockets finding success this weekend are slim as they host Western Michigan and Northern Illinois.
Western Michigan (5-12, 1-1 MAC)
The Bronco's weekend ended on a sour note as they fell in five sets to Central Michigan after opening MAC play with a 3-1 win over Eastern Michigan. WMU couldn't get anything going after the second set against the Chippewas as they were held to a hitting percentage of .140 or less in the final three sets, including a .000 percentage in the fifth set. Western Michigan hits the road for some big MAC West match-ups against Toledo and Ball State this weekend.