Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Bowling Green
Volleyball Stays on the Road for a Pair
10/12/2009 5:08:42 PM | Volleyball
Eagles travel to Bowling Green, Oct. 16, and Miami, Oct. 17
Click Here for the Complete Releasse (PDF).
Click Here for Live Stats vs. BGSU.
Click Here for Live Stats vs. Miami.
EASTERN PREPS FOR MAC EAST FOES: The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team switches to cross-divisional play Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17-18, as the Mid-American Conference West Division begin a stretch versus the East Division.
First up for the Green and White is Bowling Green State University Friday evening at venerable Anderson Arena in Bowling Green, Ohio. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. Following the match, EMU motors south to Oxford, Ohio for a 5 p.m. contest Saturday versus the RedHawks of Miami University. First serve for that contest is set for 5 p.m. at Millett Hall.
IAQUANIELLO CONTINUES TO SHINE: Freshman Rachel Iaquaniello again showed why she is one of the top young players in the MAC, recording three straight double-doubles versus Oakland, Western Michigan and Northern Illinois. For the week, the Plymouth, Mich. Native averaged 3.69 kills, 3.46 digs and 3.96 kills per set while leading the squad in kills (48) total attacks (131) and points (51) while ranking second in digs (45) and service receptions (67).
Versus Oakland, Iaquaniello racked up 13 kill and 11 digs, she followed it up with 18 put-a-ways and 23 digs versus West Division leading WMU and closed out the weekend with 17 kills and 11 digs at NIU.
KICK AND DIG PINK: Green is the typical EMU color, however Saturday, Oct. 24, the color of choice will be pink as the Eagles try to “Kick and Dig Pink” to support Breast Cancer Awareness. The day starts with football at 1 p.m. versus Ball State University before the volleyball team squaring off against the University at Buffalo at 7 p.m.
EAGLES AND FALCONS MEET FOR THE 49TH TIME: Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green are hooking up for the 49th meeting in the all-time series Friday night at venerable Anderson Arena in Bowling Green, Ohio. The Falcons hold a 27-21 edge in the series, including posting a 3-0 victory at the EMU Convocation Center, Oct. 17, 2008. Eastern's last win over BGSU occurred Nov. 18, 2005, in the Quarterfinal Round of the MAC Tournament at the SeaGate Centre in Toledo, Ohio.
EMU LOOKS TO END A FOUR-MATCH DROUGHT VERSUS MIAMI: On Saturday, Oct. 17, the Eagles will be looking to end a four-match losing skid to the RedHawks, dating back to the 2006 campaign, when Miami notched a 3-0 decision at the Convocation Center, Oct. 12. Last season, MU rolled to a 3-0 victory at the Convo, Oct. 18, 2008. EMU's last win over Miami was a 3-0 road sweep, Oct. 14, 2005, at Millett Hall in Oxford, Ohio.
JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED: With all 15 players on her roster finally cleared to practice together for the first time since Aug. 18, head coach Kim Berrington's squad proved they are much better than their record has indicated. Injuries have plagued the team's senior core of Victoria Randolph (hand) and Kim Jarzynka (knee) leaving a team that is made up of 11 freshman and sophomores without that upperclassmen guidance on the court.
That all changed this past weekend, Oct. 2-3, with the team notching back-to-back victories in Mid-American Conference play over the University of Toledo and Ball State University for the squad's first two-match winning streak since 2008 when the Eagles knocked off Northern Illinois University, Oct, 4, and Oakland University, Oct. 7.
WHAT A WAY TO CAP A WEEKEND: A dramatic come-from-behind fourth set victory led the EMU volleyball team to a 3-1 victory (23-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-23) over Ball State University Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Convocation Center.
In the fourth set the Cardinals jumped out to a 19-11 lead. EMU, following a timeout, strung together five straight points and 11 of the next 12 to reverse the call and take a 22-20 lead. Ball State would answer with two straight points, but then Rachel Iaquaniello responded with her 11th kill of the night to give the Eagles a 23-22 advantage. Two points later Iaquaniello threw down another kill, giving the Eagles match point. Senior Victoria Randolph sealed the deal with a set-ending kill to lead Eastern Michigan to its first winning streak of the year.
HOME SWEET HOME: The Green and White have enjoyed the friendly confines of the EMU Convocation Center over the past eight seasons, posting a 63-29 mark in the “Nest,” including two home victories this season.
CATCH EMU VOLLEYBALL WORDWIDE ON YOUR COMPUTER: In a continuing effort to provide cutting-edge coverage on EMUEagles.com, a minimum of four volleyball matches will be live video streamed as part of Eagle All-Access package on EMUEagles.com. The next scheduled broadcast is Tuesday, Oct. 6, when the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies come calling to the Convocation Center. Air time is schedule for 6:50 p.m. from the Convocation Center.
Veteran play-by-play voice Chad Bush calls the action from the Convocation Center. Subscription packages are just $5.95 for a 24-hour pass, $9.95 for an entire month or $79.95 for a full calendar year. On-demand replays of the match are also available at EMUEagles.com/showcase.
