Volleyball Heads to the Road

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VOLLEYBALL RETURNS TO THE ROAD: The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team hits the road again for a pair of Mid-American Conference East Division contests versus the University of Akron, Oct. 24, and the University at Buffalo, Oct. 25. First serve for both contests is set for 7 p.m. Heading into the weekend, the Eagles hold an 8-15 overall record and a 2-6 MAC mark after being swept by Bowling Green State University (Oct. 17) and Miami University (Oct. 18). The Zips sport a 7-12 (1-7 MAC) mark after falling 3-0 to Northern Illinois University (Oct. 17) and Western Michigan University. Buffalo is 5-17 (0-8 MAC) following a pair of sweeps to WMU (Oct. 17) and NIU (Oct. 18).

EAGLES LOOK TO CONTINUE STREAK VERSUS AKRON: The Eagles will look to continue their recent success over the University of Akron Friday, Oct. 24, at James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio. Akron lead the all-time series, 15-12, but the Eagles have won the last five matches versus the Zips dating back to Oct. 1, 2004. UA’s last win over EMU was a five-set thriller at the EMU Convocation Center, Oct. 13, 2003.

EASTERN HOPES TO REMAIN PERFECT VERSUS BUFFALO: The number 13 is one that superstitious people usually shy away from, but the number 13 is just the opposite for Eastern Michigan. The Eagles are hoping to go 13-0 all-time versus the University at Buffalo Saturday, Oct. 25, when the team travels to Buffalo, N.Y. for a cross-divisional contest. EMU has won every meeting in the series versus the Bulls dating back to Aug. 31, 1996, when the Green and White notched a 3-2 win in the opening match of the UB Tournament at Alumni Arena.

BERRINGTON NEEDS ONE FOR 200: Already the winningest coach in the program’s history, head coach Kim Berrington is just one victory shy of 200 victories in her 13 year tenure at Eastern Michigan University. In 17 years of coaching, Berrington has posted a 302-264 record, including a 199-190 mark in 13 years as the head coach at EMU. Prior to coming to Eastern Michigan, Berrington recorded a 103-76 mark in four years at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Mich.

FIVE-SET THRILLERS BECOMING ALL TOO FAMILIAR: Fans watching the 2008 EMU volleyball team have certainly gotten their monies worth this year. The Eagles have played in seven five-set matches this season. The Eagles are 3-4 in those five-set matches, including posting a perfect 1-0 mark inside the friendly confines of the Convocation Center with a win over Northern Illinois, Oct. 4. Last season, EMU played in just four matches that went to a deciding fifth set, while the 2006 squad had to go to a fifth stanza on six occasions. The Green and White are 16-19 since the 2002 season in matches that have gone five sets.

EMU DIGS PINK VERSUS MIAMI: The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team went all pink as they host the second annual "Dig Pink" Breast Cancer Awareness fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 18, versus Miami University. All proceeds from the event benefited the Side-Out Foundation. The team wore wear pink jerseys. The fundraiser was just one of many events in October – a national effort by the Side-Out Foundation to help educate and raise money to eliminate breast cancer.

A TALE OF TWO TEAMS: The Eagles have had their share of ups and downs during the 2008 season, posting an 8-15 mark in 23 contests. In the eight victories, EMU is recording a .212 attack percentage to go along with 13.0 kills, 16.4 digs and 2.0 blocks per set. The opposition is also posting just a .150 hitting percentage in those contests. On the other side of the ledger in the setbacks, Eastern Michigan is managing just a .130 attack percentage and a drop to 11.0 kills, 15.9 digs and 1.8 blocks per set. The opponents are also posting a much better attack percentage at .210.

EMU CONTINUES TO DOMINATE OAKLAND: The Eagles continued its domination of Golden Grizzlies of Oakland University, posting a 3-2 victory (26-24, 18-25, 25-16, 24-26, 15-8), Oct. 7, in non-conference action at the O’Rena. Senior outside hitter Hayvolla Leite paced the EMU offense with a match-best 18 kills and seven digs along with a .277 attack percentage (18-5-47) in the victory. With the win the Eagles push their winning streak over the Golden Grizzlies to 21 consecutive matches dating back to Oct. 15, 1977.

CHARLIE BATCH AND THE STEELERS TAKE TIME OUT FOR VOLLEYBALL: EMU graduate and current Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch recently took time out of his schedule to visit with the players and coaches from the volleyball team. While the Eagles were in Pittsburgh, Pa., Sept. 19-20, for the University of Pittsburgh Invitational, Batch arranged for the team to visit the Steelers’ practice facility and observe the walk-through prior to the Sept. 21 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Steelers’ Community Relations Manager, Michele Rosenthal, welcomed the team to the facility and showed the team around the library that contained the five Super Bowl trophies, the defense team room, training room, weight room and practice fields. Steelers placekicker Jeff Reed also gave the team a tour of the locker room. After observing the walk-through, Batch met the team, posed for pictures and signed autographs. Also coming to meet the Eagles were Ben Rothlisberger, Heinz Ward, Troy Polamalu, Larry Foote, Santonio Holmes and head coach Mike Tomlin.

HOME SWEET HOME: The Green and White have enjoyed the friendly confines of the EMU Convocation Center over the past eight seasons, posting a 60-23 mark in the "Nest," including a pair of home victories this season.

LEITE Named MAC West Volleyball Player of the Week: Senior outside hitter Hayvolla Leite was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Volleyball Player of the Week for the period ending Oct. 5. This marked Leite’s first career MAC weekly award. Leite led the Eagles to a 1-1 week, including a 3-2 victory over MAC West Division rival Northern Illinois University, Oct. 4. The senior outside hitter averaged 3.22 kills, 2.11 digs and 0.67 blocks per set and a .253 hitting percentage. In the win over the Huskies, Leite collected her first double-double of the season, as she tallied a career-best 22 kills and 19 digs to go along with her .280 hitting percentage.

AM I IN THE RIGHT PLACE?: The EMU Convocation Center sported a new look as the EMU volleyball team played host to Western Michigan, Oct. 3, and Northern Illinois, Oct. 4. Instead of playing on their traditional home floor, the Eagles were playing on the floor of the WNBA’s Detroit Shock. Due to a scheduling conflict with The Palace of Auburn Hills, the Convocation Center was used as the temporary home of the Shock during their playoff run. The Convo played host for two games of the Eastern Conference Championship versus the New York Liberty and then the WNBA Finals game versus the San Antonio Silver Stars. The Shock swept the Silver Stars in the best-of-five series, for their third championship in six seasons. It is believed that the pair of EMU matches were the first time a volleyball contest had ever taken place on the Shock’s floor. It also marked the first time a WNBA playoff game has been hosted on a college campus.

LEITE LIGHTS IT UP VERSUS NORTHERN ILLINOIS: In the win over the Huskies of Northern Illinois, Oct. 4, senior Hayvolla Leite collected her first double-double of the season, as she tallied a career-best 22 kills and 19 digs to go along with her .280 hitting percentage. Her 22 kills are tied for the 17th most in the EMU Convocation Center’s 10-year history and are the most by an EMU student-athlete since Becky Reenders posted 25 put-a-ways at Kent State University, Nov. 10, 2007.

BERRINGTON REACHES VICTORY NUMBER 300: Eastern Michigan University head volleyball coach Kim Berrington joined some select company Friday, Sept. 26, at St. Ursula Academy in Toledo, Ohio. Berrington captured her 300th career victory as the Eagles swept the University of Toledo, 3-0 (25-22, 30-28, 34-32), to open Mid-American Conference play. In 17 years of coaching, Berrington has posted a 302-264 record, including a 199-190 mark in 13 years as the head coach at EMU. Prior to coming to Eastern Michigan, Berrington recorded a 103-76 mark in four years at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Wolosiansky Named MAC West Volleyball Player of the Week: Senior outside hitter Jill Wolosiansky was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Volleyball Player of the Week for the period ending Sept 14. This marks Wolosiansky’s first career MAC weekly award. Wolosiansky turned in a stellar week as the Eagles posted a perfect 4-0 record, including capturing Georgia Southern University’s Bash in the Boro Invitational championship, Sept. 12-13. For her efforts, the Uniontown, Ohio native was named the MVP of the tournament with 2.42 kills, 1.83 digs and 0.83 blocks per set for the Eagles.

MVP HONORS FOR WOLOSIANSKY: Senior Jill Wolosiansky won MVP honors at the Georgia Southern University Bash in the, Sept. 12-13after leading her team to a tournament win. The senior from Uniontown, Ohio, recorded 37.0 points on the weekend with 29 kills and 10 blocks. Juniors Victoria Randolph and Kim Jarzynka were also named to the All-Tournament team.

FIVE-SET THRILLER: The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team rallied from a 2-1 deficit to win the Bash in the Boro volleyball tournament over host Georgia Southern University, 3-2 (16-25, 25-21, 24-26, 25-23, 15-10), Saturday afternoon, Sept. 13, at Hanner Fieldhouse. The Eagles of Georgia Southern held Eastern Michigan to a negative hitting percentage (-.003) through the first three sets but EMU hit .228 in the final two sets to complete their rally. Eastern Michigan came back from a 19-15 deficit in set four to post a 25-23 victory and force a deciding final frame. In the finale, EMU jumped out to an early 5-4 edge before GSU knotted the score at 7-7. From that point on it was all in favor of the team wearing Green and White, as EMU would roll off eight of the final 11 points to cruise to the 15-10 victory.

MASON SET THE TABLE IN VIRGINIA: Making her collegiate début, freshman Ashley Mason turned in a solid opening weekend by being named to the All-Tournament team at the William and Mary Tribe Volleyball Invitational, Aug. 29-30. In three matches, Mason averaged 9.75 assists per set, 3.08 digs per set and 0.75 kills per set.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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