Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Central Michigan
EMU Bows Out of the MAC Tournament with a 3-2 Setback to CMU
11/17/2009 10:10:51 PM | Volleyball
No. 5 seeded Chippewas advance to play No. 4 Northern Illinois Friday, Nov. 20
Box score.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team saw its season come to an end Tuesday night, Nov. 17, with a 3-2 (18-25, 27-25, 23-25, 30-28, 14-16) setback to Central Michigan University in the first round of the 2009 Mid-American Conference Tournament at the Rose Center. The No. 12 seeded Eagles struggled offensively managing just 55 kills and a .156 attack percentage compared to 69 kills and a .225 hitting percentage for the fifth-seeded Chippewas.
Eastern Michigan gave everything it could muster, nearly becoming the first 12-seed to advance in the MAC Tournament since the league expanded to the current format for the 2003 campaign. With the loss the Eagles end their season with a 5-28 (4-12 MAC) record. Meanwhile, the Chippewas improve to 16-11 (8-8 MAC) and will now face No. 4 Northern Illinois University Friday, Nov. 20, in the quarterfinals at the SeaGate Centre in Toledo, Ohio.
For the Eagles, freshman sensation Rachel Iaquaniello (Plymouth, Mich.-Dearborn Divine Child) paced the attack with 14 kills to go along with seven digs and two block assists. Senior Victoria Randolph (Cincinnati, Ohio-Mount Notre Dame) closed out a stellar collegiate career with a double-double by notching 12 kills and 10 digs. Junior Jennifer Swartz (Canton, Mich.-Westland John Glenn) rounded out the Eagles in double figure kills with 10 markers plus five service aces.
Four Central Michigan players reached double digits in kills led by the tandem of Lauren Krupsky and Kaitlyn Schultz each recording a match-best 19 put-a-aways. Kaitlyn Hurt finished with 12 markers and Val DeWeerd added 11 for the victorious Chippewas.
Tuesday's showdown marked the third time EMU and CMU squared off in the MAC's postseason tournament. The Green and White had won the previous two 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.
