Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eagle Spikers Prep for Stretch Run
11/2/2005 11:30:14 AM | Volleyball
EMU in hunt for program's first MAC West Title
EAGLE SPIKERS PREP FOR STRETCH RUN:
With the Mid-American Conference Volleyball Tournament rapidly approaching, the Eagles currently own a two-match lead over second-place Ball State with four matches left on the conference regular season schedule.This week EMU hosts instate rival Central Michigan Friday, Nov. 4, before hitting the road to Kent, Ohio Saturday, Nov. 5, for a cross divisional tilt with Kent State. Game time for both matches is 7 p.m.
A LOOK AT THE OPPOSITION: The Chippewas enter the match with a 3-19 record and 0-12 mark in conference play after dropping its last 13 matches. CMU’s last victory came versus North Dakota State, Sept. 17, at the UW-Green Bay AmeriHost Classic. The Maroon and Gold lead the all-time series 45-15, but Eastern has won the last four matches between the two schools inlcuding a three-set sweep earlier this season, Sept. 30.
The Golden Flashes began the week with a 8-15 record and 4-8 mark in conference play after spliting a pair of matches last weekend to Miami and Bowling Green. The Green and White lead the all-time series 24-14-1, including winning the last four meetings dating back to the 2002 campaign.
EMU SURPASSES LAST YEAR’S WIN TOTAL: With 17 wins on the season, the Eagles have surpassed the win total for all of last season. Last year’s team posted an overall mark of 16-13 (10-6 MAC) and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the MAC Tournament. This year’s 23-match record is the best for an EMU club since the 2003 team went 18-5, that 2003 squad went on to post 21 wins the third most in the program’s history.
HOME SWEET HOME: The Green and White have enjoyed the friendly confines of the EMU Convocation Center over the past five seasons, posting a 43-10 mark in the "Nest," including five home victories this season.
BARTLETT SELECTED MAC WEST DIVISON PLAYER OF THE WEEK, OCT. 30
Bartlett totaled 44.5 points, 41 kills, 30 digs, three total block assists and a .450 attack percentage in extending the Eagles’ lead in the West Division to two matches with back-to-back wins last weekend. In the four-game win over Akron, Oct. 28, Bartlett collected a career-high 25 assists to go along with 20 digs, 26.5 points, and a .468 attack percentage. The win marked EMU’s first home victory over the Zips since the 1994 campaign.
Versus Buffalo (Oct. 29), Bartlett posted a match-high 16 kills, 10 digs, two block assists and a service ace for a total of 18.0 points. For the week, Bartlett averaged 5.86 kills, 4.29 digs, 0.43 blocks and 6.36 points per contest. For the year, Bartlett is averaging 3.30 kills, 3.26 digs and 3.66 points per game.
