Volleyball Drops MAC Opener to Chippewas, 3-2

Box score.

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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com)—The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team opened Mid-American Conference play here Friday evening, Sept. 25, with a 3-2 (18-25, 25-20, 19-25, 25-22, 10-15) setback to the Central Michigan University Chippewas. EMU rallied from a 2-1 deficit to extend the match to a fifth set, but the Chippewas powered their way to a decisive 15-10 win the fifth frame to take the first match of the young MAC season.

The Eagles fall to 1-14 overall and 0-1 in the MAC, while the Chippewas improve their record to 8-3 and 1-0 in conference play.

True freshman Rachel Iaquaniello (Plymouth, Mich.-Divine Child) paved the way for EMU offensively with 18 kills in 53 attempts. Sophomore Ashley Mason (Eastlake, Ohio-Lake Catholic) tallied 35 assists, while sophomore libero Haley Stein (Carleton, Mich.-Westland John Glenn) recorded 31 digs. Defensively, true freshman Kristen Baker (Mentor, Ohio-Mentor) notched seven block assists.

Central Michigan's offense was led by Lauren Krupsky, who totaled 18 kills in the win. Stephanie Budde recorded 41helpers to lead CMU.

The Green and White followed an opening set defeat with a 25-20 win to even the match at 1-1. Iaquaniello led the EMU attack with nine kills and 13 total attacks in the second set, while Baker chipped-in with five kills. EMU converted on a third of its kills in the set.

In the third frame, the Eagles marched out to an early 14-7 advantage. Following a CMU timeout, however, the Chippewas found the spark they needed and went on an 18-5 run to win match, 25-19.

The fourth match proved to be a see-saw affair in which both sides found themselves knotted at 20 apiece in the late stages. The Eagles took five of the final seven points to even the match at two. Six EMU players recorded kills, including senior Victoria Randolph (Cincinnati, Ohio-Mt. Notre Dame), who led with three. Iaquaniello spiked the final kill to extend the match to a fifth and final set.

With the match tied a two apiece, the Chippewas cruised to a 15-10 win in the fifth set to record the victory.

The Eagles will now head down to Kent, Ohio, for a battle with the Kent State University Golden Flashes Saturday, Sept. 26. The match is slated for 3 p.m the M.A.C. Center.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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