Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Kent State
Volleyball Captures Share of the Program's First MAC West Division Title
11/6/2005 4:55:58 PM | Volleyball
Melissa Bartlett tallied 20 kills nine digs and two block assists in the victory
KENT, Ohio – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team claimed at least a share of its first Mid-American Conference West Division Championship with a sweep of Kent State Friday, Nov. 5, here at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. The Eagles won the match 3-0 (30-25, 30-15, 30-28) to also clinch a first-round bye in the upcoming MAC Tournament.
With the victory, Eastern improves to 19-6 (12-2 MAC) on the season, while Kent State fall to 8-17 (4-10 MAC) on the season.
In the first set, the two teams traded points, knotting the score at 10-10. EMU went on a 16-10 run take a five point advantage that they would never relinqish and took the frame 30-25. Junior Lindsay Piccolini tallied five kills, while senior Becky Baltrare tallied nine digs.
In the second game, EMU rolled off 10 quick points to take a 10-3 advantage. The Golden Flashes would never challenge as the Eagles sealed the 2-0 match lead with a 30-15 victory. EMU's Melissa Bartlett tallied eight kills and a .778 attack percentage for the game, while Lindsay Piccolini added a five kills and two total blocks (1 solo, 1 assist). KSU was paced by Sarah Wilber with three kills.
In the finale, KSU moved out to a quick 3-2 lead and continued to battle as EMU would not let the game get out of reach. Holding a slim two-point advantage at 15-14, EMU would rattle off three-straight points to claim its biggest lead in the third game, 18-14. The two teams continued to exchange points, but it was the Green and White who would never trail the rest of the game and won the match, 30-28.
Bartlett tallied 20 kills nine digs and two block assists in the victory, while Lindsay Piccolini added 19 kills and four total blocks (1 solo, 3 assist). Sophomore Kate Sulewski added 49 set assists, and Baltare recorded a match-best 19 digs.
For Kent State, Danielle Holt paced the attack with 21 kills and 10 digs and a .364 attack percentage, while both Ashley Feutz and Wilber managed eight kills
The Eagles return home to close our the regular season with matches versus Ball State, Nov. 11, and Toledo, Nov. 12. Game time for both matches is set for 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center.
