Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Central Michigan
EMU Opens MAC Play This Weekend
9/22/2009 11:54:35 AM | Volleyball
Eastern and Central open the conference schedule at the Convocation Center
Click Here for the Complete Release (PDF).
Click Here to Watch the CMU-EMU Match.
Click Here for Live Stats vs. CMU.
Click Here for Live Stats vs. KSU.
EAGLES AND CHIPPEWAS OPEN MAC PLAY FRIDAY: The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team turns its attention towards another West Division title Friday, Sept. 25, when it opens Mid-American Conference play against Central Michigan University. First serve is set for 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center. The Green and White have won 10 of the last 11 in conference lid-lifters dating back to a three-set victory over Central Michigan, Sept. 23, 1998.
Friday's matchup also marks the fourth 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, in Ypsilanti.
EAGLES AND CHIPPEWAS RENEW RIVALRY: In-state rivals EMU and CMU are hooking up for the 68th meeting in the all-time series. Central Michigan holds a 49-18 edge in the series, including sweeping last year's season series.
EAGLES AND GOLDEN FLASHES BATTLE SATURDAY: Following Friday's match the Eagles motor off to Kent, Ohio for a 3 p.m. contest Saturday, Sept. 26, versus the Golden Flashes of Kent State University. EMU and KSU are hooking up for the 46th meeting in the all-time series Saturday night at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. The Eagles hold a 30-15-1 edge in the series, including winning eight of the last nine meetings dating back to the 2001 season. Last year, the Eagles notched a 3-2 win on senior night at the Convocation Center, Nov. 15, 2008.
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 package 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.
A TALE OF TWO TEAMS: The Eagles have had their share of ups and downs during the 2009 season, posting a 1-13 mark in 14 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 .130 attack percentage and a drop to 11.4 kills, 15.3 digs and 1.7 blocks per set. The opponents are also posting a much better attack percentage at .247.
IT'S A LONG ROAD: Eastern Michigan started off the 2009 season playing 13 of its first 14 matches on the road. The Eagles traveled just over 6,140 miles round-trip 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. EMU had a final non-conference tune up at the DePaul Tournament, Sept. 18-19, before coming home to tip off the MAC season, Sept. 25, versus Central Michigan.
HOME SWEET HOME: The Green and White have enjoyed the friendly confines of the EMU Convocation Center over the past eight seasons, posting a 61-27 mark in the “Nest,” including three home victories last season.
