Volleyball Pushes Western Michigan to Limit in Home Finale

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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team fell behind early and nearly rallied to claim the match after trailing 2-0, but Western Michigan University was able to pull out the 3-2 decision in the regular season finale Saturday, Nov. 14. The Broncos had an impressive early run winning 25-18 and 25-18, but the Eagles took the next two 25-19 and 25-23. An early WMU lead proved costly for the Eagles in the finale, as the Red Raiders took the victory with a 15-8 game five decision.

The Eagles will be the No. 12 seed in the upcoming 2009 MAC Tournament and will travel to No. 5 Central Michigan University for a first-round showdown Tuesday evening, Nov. 17. First serve will be at 7 p.m. inside the Rose Center in Mount Pleasant, Mich.. Tuesday's showdown will mark the third time EMU and CMU have squared off in the postseason tournament. Eastern Michigan has won both postseason meetings, a 3-0 sweep in the opening round of the 2004 MAC Tournament, Nov. 16, and a 3-1 victory in the semifinals of the 1988 MAC Tournament, Nov. 25.

The match marked the final time seniors Victoria Randolph (Cincinnati, Ohio-Mount Notre Dame) and Kim Jarzynka (Pittsburgh, Pa.-Baldwin) would take to the Convocation Center floor. Both had solid evenings, with Randolph leading as she surpassed 900 career kills in her career as she finished with 15 put-a-ways to go along with her 14 digs. Jarzynka also notched six digs off the bench. Sophomore Ashley Mason (Eastlake, Ohio-Lake Catholic) led the team with 42 assists and 20 digs as well.

Western Michigan's Michelle Moore had 20 kills and 13 digs and Jessica Brown added 19 kills and hit .300. Caitlin Strimel added a match-high 33 digs for the Broncos, while Jillian Mitchell added a season-high 60 assists. Katie Eberling added 16 kills and 20 digs for the Broncos (21-10, 13-3 MAC) against the Eagles (5-27, 4-12 MAC).

WMU hit .200 with 14 kills and seven errors, while EMU countered with five blocks and hit .405 with 18 kills and three errors. Eberling had nine kills for WMU in the fourth frame.

Overall, WMU hit .250 with 73 kills, 26 errors, 101 digs, 10 blocks and four aces, while EMU hit .201 with 55 kills, 17 errors, 78 digs, 10 blocks and two aces.

2009 MAC Volleyball Tournament Seeds:
#1 Ohio (1st Round Bye)
#2 Western Michigan (1st Round Bye)
#3 Miami (1st Round Bye)
#4 Northern Illinois (1st Round Bye)
#5 Central Michigan (1st Round Host)
#6 Toledo (1st Round Host)
#7 Kent State (1st Round Host)
#8 Ball State (1st Round Host)
#9 Akron
#10 Buffalo
#11 Bowling Green
#12 Eastern Michigan

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