Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Akron
Volleyball Returns Home for a Pair
10/19/2009 3:12:03 PM | Volleyball
Akron, Oct. 23, and Buffalo, Oct. 24, invade the Convocation Center
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VOLLEYBALL RETURNS HOME: The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team returns home for a pair of Mid-American Conference East Division contests versus the University of Akron, Oct. 23, and the University at Buffalo, Oct. 24. First serve for both contests is set for 7 p.m.
Heading into the weekend, the Eagles hold a 3-21 overall record and a 2-6 MAC mark after falling to Bowling Green State University, Oct. 16, and Miami University, Oct. 18. The Zips sport a 10-11 (2-6 MAC) mark after falling 3-1 to Northern Illinois University (Oct. 17) and upsetting Western Michigan University (Oct. 16). Buffalo is 13-8 (4-4 MAC) following a defeat of WMU and a loss at NIU.
EAGLES LOOK TO CONTINUE STREAK VERSUS AKRON: The Eagles will look to continue their recent success over the University of Akron Friday, Oct. 23, at the Convocation Center. Akron leads the all-time series, 16-12, but the Eagles have won five of the last six matches versus the Zips dating back to Oct. 1, 2004. The Zips pulled out a 3-2 thriller last season, Oct. 24, 2008, at James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio to snap the Eagles five-match winning streak.
EASTERN HOPES TO REMAIN PERFECT VERSUS BUFFALO: The Eagles are hoping to go 14-0 all-time versus the University at Buffalo Saturday, Oct. 24, when the Bulls invade the Convo 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.
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.
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.
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.
