Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
DePaul
Final In-Season Tournament Awaits Eagles
9/15/2009 3:36:59 PM | Volleyball
Eagles to play DePaul, Sacramento State and Western Kentucky
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FINAL IN-SEASON TOURNAMENT AWAITS EAGLES: The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team motors off to Chicago, Ill, Sept. 18-19, for the DePaul University Invitational at McGrath Arena. The four-team tournament is the Eagles' final in-season tournament of the 2009 campaign.
The Green and White face off against the host Blue Demons Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. CST. A quick turnaround pits the Eagles versus Sacramento State University Saturday morning at 10 a.m. before wrapping up the weekend at 5 p.m. versus Western Kentucky University.
ALL-TIME VERSUS THE PITT INVITATIONAL FIELD: Eastern Michigan has a very limited history with any of the teams in the field, having played just seven matches all-time versus the scheduled opponents. EMU and DePaul will be meeting for the sixth time on Friday with the Eagles holding a 4-1 all-time advantage versus the Blue Demons. The last time the two schools met was Sept. 11, 1999, when Eastern rolled to a 3-1 victory at the Valparaiso Classic in Valparaiso, Ind.
The other two series have just one meeting each. Sacremento State got the best of EMU in the only previous contest, a 3-0 sweep at the Sun Bowl Volleyball Invitational in El Paso, Texas, Aug. 26, 2006. Meanwhile, the Green and White topped the Hilltoppers of WKU, 3-0, in the opener of the Western Illinois Tournament in Macomb, Ill., Sept. 13, 2002
EAGLES AND CHIPPEWAS OPEN MAC PLAY NEXT FRIDAY: Eastern Michigan begins its run towards another West Division title Friday, Sept. 26, when it opens Mid-American Conference play against Central Michigan University. The Green and White have won 10 of the last 11 in conference lidlifters dating back to a three-set victory over Central Michigan, Sept. 23, 1998.
Next weekend's matchup also marks the third time that Eagles will play the Chippewas to open conference play. The last time the teams met in the MAC opener, EMU defeated CMU, 3-1, Sept. 22, 2004, at the Convocation Center in Ypsilanti.
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 on EMUEagles.com.
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
IAQUANIELLO IN SOME RAREFIED FRESHMAN AIR: Freshman outside hitter Rachel Iaquaniello continued her sensational start to the 2009 campaign with a 23 kill performance in the finale of the Mississippi State University Bulldog Invitational. However, it was not enough as the Eastern Michigan University volleyball team fell to MSU, 3-2 (29-27, 25-20, 24-26, 17-25, 16-18).
The 23 put-a-ways was a career best for the Plymouth, Mich. native and was the most kills by an EMU student-athlete since Becky Reenders accumulated 25 kills versus Kent State University, Nov. 10, 2007. The total is the most is recent history by an EMU freshman. Kristie Price picked up 20 kills against Oakland University, Sept. 12, 2000, while Melissa Bartlett powered down 20 kills again versus the Golden Grizzlies, Sept. 11, 2004.
Just a week earlier, Iaquaniello turned in an 18 kill effort versus Miami (Fla.). In 11 matches this season, she has reached double-digits in kills six times.
IAQUANIELLO NAMED TO BULLDOG INVITATIONAL AL-TOURNAMENT TEAM: Freshman Rachel Iaquaniello was selected to the All-Tournament team for the 2009 Bulldog Invitational , Sept. 11-12, in Starkville, Miss.
A TALE OF TWO TEAMS: The Eagles have had their share of ups and downs during the 2009 season, posting an 1-10 mark in 11 contests. In the one victory, EMU recording a .217 attack percentage to go along with 9.7 kills, 16.3 digs and 2.3 blocks per set. The opposition also posted just a .047 hitting percentage in that contests.
On the other side of the ledger in the setbacks, Eastern Michigan is managing just a .123 attack percentage and a drop to 11.5 kills, 15.3 digs and 1.5 blocks per set. The opponents are also posting a much better attack percentage at .246.
IT'S A LONG ROAD: Eastern Michigan starts off the 2009 season playing 13 of its first 14 matches on the road. The Eagles will travel just over 6,140 miles round-trip on the road in its first five weekends. Eastern opened the season at the Army Invitational, Aug. 28-29, and then traveled to Fort Wayne, Ind., Sept. 1, to face IPFW. From there, Eastern headed west to the Hampton Inn and Suites Northern Colorado Classic, Sept. 4-5.
The Green and White entertained Michigan, Sept. 9, to open up the home portion of the schedule before jetting south to the Mississippi State Invitational, Sept. 11-12. A final non-conference tune up at the DePaul Tournament, Sept. 18-19, awaits the Eagles before the MAC season tips off Sept. 25, when EMU hosts West Division rival Central Michigan.
