Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Miami (Fla.)
Volleyball Jets Off to Colorado for the Weekend
9/3/2009 8:40:01 PM | Volleyball
The Eagles will face Miami (Fla.), North Dakota State and Northern Colorado
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EMU TREKS TO COLORADO STILL IN SEARCH OF ITS FIRST VICTORY: The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team continues its seven-match opening road swing, this time traveling to Greeley, Colo., Sept. 4-5, for the Hampton Inn & Suites Northern Colorado Classic.
The Eagles look to pick up their first victory Friday afternoon, Sept. 4, versus the University of Miami (Fla.) in the opener at 4:30 p.m. MST. Eastern will then square off versus the host Bears of the University of Northern Colorado Saturday, Sept. 5, at noon followed by a 4:30 p.m. contest versus North Dakota State University. All matches will take place at the Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion.
A LOOK AT THE TOURNAMENT FIELD: The Green and White have faced just one team in this year's field — that being a 3-0 victory over the Miami Hurricanes, Sept. 1, 2006, at the Spartan Invitational in East Lansing, Mich. The 'Canes enter the weekend sporting a 2-1 record, with the lone setback being a 3-1 decision at the hands of South Florida.
North Dakota State went 2-1 last weekend at the Florida State Invitational with wins coming over Central Michigan and Florida A&M. The Bison's lone loss was a 3-2 setback at the hands of host FSU. The Bison are led by a pair of outside hitters with 30+ kills each on the year. Leading the way is Chrissy Knuth (40 kills) and followed by Brooke VandenBergh (34 kills).
The Northern Colorado Bears serve as host for this weekend's Hampton Inn & Suites Northern Colorado Tournament. The Bears are 4-1 on the year after collecting three wins over UT-San Antonio, North Texas and SMU last weekend in Denton, Texas. In their last matchup, the Bears defeated in-state foe Colorado Tuesday night, Sept. 1. UNC is led by Kenzie Shreeve with 53 kills, while teammates Taylor Smith (43) and Ashley Lichtenberg (37) follow closely.
IAQUANIELLO MAKING A STATEMENT AS AN EAGLE: Making her collegiate debut last weekend, freshman Rachel Iaquaniello paced the Eagles' attack with a total of 35 kills, three total blocks and three service aces. She also contributed 27 digs in 11 sets played at the Army Invitational, Aug. 28-29, in West Point, N.Y. She is the only EMU student-athlete to average more than 3.0 kills per set as the next closest is averaging 1.82 per set.
Versus Fairfield, the Plymouth, Mich. native recorded 13 put-a-ways and followed that up with another 13 kill performance versus Sacred Heart. In the finale she powered down nine kills to lead the Eagles.
SWARTZ NAMED TO ARMY INVITATIONAL AL-TOURNAMENT TEAM: Junior Jennifer Swartz was selected to the All-Tournament team for the Army Invitational, Sept. 28-29, in West Point, N.Y.
