Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Fairfield
Volleyball Opens 2009 Campaign at Army Invitational
8/28/2009 12:17:35 PM | Volleyball
The Eagles open the year versus Fairfield, Sacred Heart and Army
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EAGLES OPEN 2009 SEASON IN NEW YORK: The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team opens the 2009 season this weekend with three matches at the Army Invitational, hosted by the United States Military Academy. The Eagles open tournament play Friday, Aug. 28, against Fairfield at noon followed by a 3 p.m. match versus Sacred Heart. EMU concludes the tournament Saturday, Aug. 29, when the team faces the host Black Knights at noon. All matches will take place at Gillis Field House on the West Point, N.Y. campus.
ALL-TIME VERSUS THE ARMY INVITATIONAL FIELD: The Eagles have never squared off with any of the teams is this weekend's tournament is the program's existence. In fact, Eastern has a very limited history against any the three school's conference affiliates (Army - Patroit League; Fairfield - Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference; Sacred Heart - Northeast Conference).
EAGLES READY FOR 2009 CAMPAIGN: The Eagles return five starters from a predominately underclassmen-laden 2008 squad that finished in sixth in the Mid-American Conference West Division. Senior outside hitter Victoria Randolph (2.77 kills per set, 2.76 digs per set) and senior Kim Jarzynka (4.76 digs per set) will lead the way along with junior middle blocker Jennifer Swartz (2.06 kills per set and 0.76 blocks per set). Sophomore Ashley Mason returns for her second year setting the table for the EMU offense, recording 8.94 assists per set in her first collegiate season.
The Eagles had their share of ups and downs during the 2008 season, posting an 10-22 overall mark and 4-12 in Mid-American Conference play. In the 10 victories, EMU recorded a .218 attack percentage to go along with 12.9 kills, 16.4 digs and 1.95 blocks per set. The opposition also posted just a .145 hitting percentage in those contests. On the other side of the ledger in the setbacks, Eastern Michigan managed just a .132 attack percentage and a drop to 11.0 kills, 15.7 digs and 1.8 blocks per set. The opponents also posted a much better attack percentage at .224.
HOME SWEET HOME: The Green and White have enjoyed the friendly confines of the EMU Convocation Center over the past eight seasons, posting a 61-26 mark in the “Nest,” including three home victories last season.
BERRINGTON'S 14TH SEASON AT EMU: Head Coach Kim Berrington is entering her 14th season as head coach of the Eastern Michigan University volleyball team.
The seventh coach in EMU history became its winningest coach, Sept. 20, 2003, as the Eagles posted a victory over East Carolina in the Coastal Carolina Tournament. The victory was Berrington's 110th win at the helm of the EMU program. In her tenure as head coach, Berrington has posted an overall record of 201-195 and a 101-118 mark in conference play.
In eight of the last nine seasons, she has led the Eagles to the MAC Tournament, with the 1999 campaign marking the first time the squad has played in the postseason event since the 1990 season. Her teams have also led the MAC in digs in seven of the last 11 seasons, including ranking nationally in five of those campaigns.
