Eastern Michigan Athletics
Volleyball Announces Addition Of Five For Class of 2018
4/11/2018 12:37:00 PM | Volleyball
The four incoming freshman hale from California, Canada, Hawaii, Illinois, and Michigan
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University Head Volleyball Coach Kimi Olson has announced the addition of four student-athletes for the upcoming 2018 campaign following the signing of their National Letter of Intent (NLI), April 11. Joining the Green and White are Raeven Chase (Toronto, Ontario-Michael Power St. Joseph Catholic Secondary School), Heidi Fausze (Temperance, Mich.-Bedford), Julia Fisher (Kailua, Hawaii-Le Jardin Academy), Mackenzie Garis (Cyrstal Lake, Ill.-Prairie Ridge), and Abbey Kearney (Pacific Palisades, Calif.).
"I am so excited to announce this year's signing class," said Olson. "The group of five will bring a lot of high-level playing experience into the practice gym this year. The strengths of this group will add so much value to the culture of the program that we are creating here at Eastern. Our team will continue to push the limits of what we are capable of on the court, in the classroom, and in the community. You can be sure that these young ladies will leave here as better people and volleyball players."
Fausze joins the Eagles as the lone Michigan native of the class, coming to Ypsilanti from Temperance. The incoming-freshman is set to graduate from Bedford Senior High School where she played three years of varsity volleyball for the Kicking Mules. During her prep career, Fausze set the record for most kills in a match (33), and kills in a season (721), while also earning a spot on the all-conference, MIVCA All-Region, and being named Bedford Player of the Year. The outside hitter was also a member of the MIVCA All-State Second Team and earned an AVCA State of Michigan Player of the Week nod during her final campaign. She played club ball for Toledo Volleyball Club and head coach Sydney Antonio.
Fisher, a middle blocker from Kailua, Hawaii, becomes the first Hawaiian to don the Green and White in the program's 42-year history. The middle blocker played four years at Le Jardin Academy, playing middle, outside, and right side in her time with the Bulldogs. The two-time state champion finished her final prep campaign with 232 kills, 32 blocks, 152 digs, and 16 aces on the way to Le Jardin's second consecutive state title. She earned a spot on the all-state second team while also being named the team's most valuable and most inspirational player. Fisher also played club volleyball for Ku'ikahi Wahine for head coach Kainoa Obrey.
Garis is set to join Eastern Michigan by way of Prairie Ridge High School and Crystal Lake, Ill. The defensive specialist played varsity all four years for the Wolves, earning All-Fox Valley Conference honors as a senior, while also being named team MVP her junior and senior campaigns. In her time at PR the team also saw success, winning two regional titles. Played club volleyball for Fusion and Sky High where she played for coach Ray Rugebregt and was an All-American during her 16U season.
The final member of the 2018 recruiting class is middle blocker Abbey Kearney. Kearney played her prep ball at Palisades Charter High School in Pacific Palisades, Calif., becoming the first player from the Golden State to ever play for the EMU volleyball program. During her time with the Dolphins, Kearney lettered three seasons, each of which they won conference titles. She was also named all-conference first team in her final season. Kearney played her club ball for Actyve Volleyball Club, where she was an AAU All-American.
Last to join the Eagles is the lone international player of the class, Raeven Chase, who joins Eastern Michigan from Michael Power St. Joseph Catholic Secondary School in Toronto, Canada. The middle blocker was a four year player for the Trojans, earning the title of captain as a senior. Chase also played club for the Etobicoke Titans and Pakmen for three years.
"This class is filling in the gaps that we lost to graduation, as well as giving us more possibilities to run a fast and complex offense, as well as a tenacious defense," said Olson. "In order to remain the best blocking team in the MAC, Julia, Abbey, and Raeven will help in the middle and right side positions. To assist in our ball control and defense, Mackenzie and Heidi will help us be in system and dig more balls. I want to give a special thank you to my team and staff, who have worked relentlessly to find the right student athletes to add to our program. Eastern needs more people that are determined to make our program successful. The loyalty of our staff and student-athletes is instrumental in helping the program accomplish our goals."
"I am so excited to announce this year's signing class," said Olson. "The group of five will bring a lot of high-level playing experience into the practice gym this year. The strengths of this group will add so much value to the culture of the program that we are creating here at Eastern. Our team will continue to push the limits of what we are capable of on the court, in the classroom, and in the community. You can be sure that these young ladies will leave here as better people and volleyball players."
Fausze joins the Eagles as the lone Michigan native of the class, coming to Ypsilanti from Temperance. The incoming-freshman is set to graduate from Bedford Senior High School where she played three years of varsity volleyball for the Kicking Mules. During her prep career, Fausze set the record for most kills in a match (33), and kills in a season (721), while also earning a spot on the all-conference, MIVCA All-Region, and being named Bedford Player of the Year. The outside hitter was also a member of the MIVCA All-State Second Team and earned an AVCA State of Michigan Player of the Week nod during her final campaign. She played club ball for Toledo Volleyball Club and head coach Sydney Antonio.
Fisher, a middle blocker from Kailua, Hawaii, becomes the first Hawaiian to don the Green and White in the program's 42-year history. The middle blocker played four years at Le Jardin Academy, playing middle, outside, and right side in her time with the Bulldogs. The two-time state champion finished her final prep campaign with 232 kills, 32 blocks, 152 digs, and 16 aces on the way to Le Jardin's second consecutive state title. She earned a spot on the all-state second team while also being named the team's most valuable and most inspirational player. Fisher also played club volleyball for Ku'ikahi Wahine for head coach Kainoa Obrey.
Garis is set to join Eastern Michigan by way of Prairie Ridge High School and Crystal Lake, Ill. The defensive specialist played varsity all four years for the Wolves, earning All-Fox Valley Conference honors as a senior, while also being named team MVP her junior and senior campaigns. In her time at PR the team also saw success, winning two regional titles. Played club volleyball for Fusion and Sky High where she played for coach Ray Rugebregt and was an All-American during her 16U season.
The final member of the 2018 recruiting class is middle blocker Abbey Kearney. Kearney played her prep ball at Palisades Charter High School in Pacific Palisades, Calif., becoming the first player from the Golden State to ever play for the EMU volleyball program. During her time with the Dolphins, Kearney lettered three seasons, each of which they won conference titles. She was also named all-conference first team in her final season. Kearney played her club ball for Actyve Volleyball Club, where she was an AAU All-American.
Last to join the Eagles is the lone international player of the class, Raeven Chase, who joins Eastern Michigan from Michael Power St. Joseph Catholic Secondary School in Toronto, Canada. The middle blocker was a four year player for the Trojans, earning the title of captain as a senior. Chase also played club for the Etobicoke Titans and Pakmen for three years.
"This class is filling in the gaps that we lost to graduation, as well as giving us more possibilities to run a fast and complex offense, as well as a tenacious defense," said Olson. "In order to remain the best blocking team in the MAC, Julia, Abbey, and Raeven will help in the middle and right side positions. To assist in our ball control and defense, Mackenzie and Heidi will help us be in system and dig more balls. I want to give a special thank you to my team and staff, who have worked relentlessly to find the right student athletes to add to our program. Eastern needs more people that are determined to make our program successful. The loyalty of our staff and student-athletes is instrumental in helping the program accomplish our goals."
2025 EMU Volleyball Tournament Highlights
Monday, September 08
Volleyball Highlights vs. Valparaiso
Saturday, September 06
Volleyball Highlights vs. Purdue Fort Wayne
Friday, September 05
Script Eastern Volleyball Jerseys Reveal
Thursday, September 04