Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Northern Illinois
Volleyball Tops Northern Illinois, 3-2
10/4/2008 5:50:02 PM | Volleyball
Senior Hayvolla Leite collected her first double-double of the season in the win
YPSILANTI, Mich.- The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team improved its record to 7-11 (2-2 MAC) this season, as the Eagles claimed a 3-2 (25-18, 19-25, 27-25, 19-25, 15-13) victory over the Huskies of Northern Illinois University Saturday afternoon, Oct. 4, at the Convocation Center.
After four close sets in-a-row forced a deciding fifth frame, the two squads went point-for-point, leading to a 13-13 tie. Following an EMU timeout, an NIU error would give the Eagles the 14-13 lead. Junior Kim Jarzynka (Pittsburgh, Pa.-Baldwin) would seal the win for EMU with an ace, giving her team the victory at home.
Senior Hayvolla Leite (Paraiba, Brazil-Indian Hills CC) collected her first double-double of the season, as she tallied a team-high 22 kills and 19 digs, hitting .280 against the Huskies. Freshman Ashley Mason (Eastlake, Ohio-Lake Catholic) hit a team-best .583 against the Huskies, while dishing out 48 assists and collecting 13 digs in the match.
The Eagles managed to get the momentum going in their favor early, taking an 18-9 lead over the Huskies in the afternoon’s opening set. EMU would seal the deal after a taking a timeout, registering a 25-18 victory in the first set.
The two squads went shot-for-shot in the second set, as nine lead changes led to a 17-16 advantage for the Huskies. NIU would eventually tack on eight more points to win the set, 25-19, and make it a 1-1 match.
The same would continue in the following set, as 19 lead changes would eventually leave the teams knotted at 25-all. The Eagles would end up claiming a 27-25 victory to go up 2-1, as a block by sophomore Jennifer Swartz (Canton, Mich.-Westland John Glenn) gave EMU the win going into the fourth set. Swartz hit .353 in the match, tallying eight kills on the afternoon.
After an Eagle timeout, the Huskies would take a 19-18 advantage in the fourth, their first lead of the set. The Huskies would reel off six more points to take the fourth set, 25-19, forcing the final set.
The Eagles will begin the first leg of a three-game road trip Tuesday, Oct. 7, when they head to Rochester, Mich. to take on Oakland University at 7 p.m. EMU claimed a 3-0 sweep over the Golden Grizzlies last season in Ypsilanti.
