Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Michigan
Volleyball Opens Home Schedule Wednesday Versus Michigan
9/8/2009 1:31:36 PM | Volleyball
Nationally ranked Wolverines come to Ypsilanti for the first time since 1994
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NATIONALLY RANKED WOLVERINES COME TO TOWN: For the first time since the 1994 campaign, the seventh-ranked University of Michigan volleyball team will make the short six mile trek for a Wednesday night, Sept. 9, non-conference tilt versus Eastern Michigan University at the Convocation Center. The Wolverines lead the all-time series, 27-10, including winning the past six decisions versus the Eagles dating back to the 1996 season.
The last time the teams played in Ypsilanti was Sept. 7, 1994, at venerable Bowen Field House with the Eagles walking away with a hard-fought 3-1 victory. Nona Richardson was manning the EMU sidelines as the program's head coach while Greg Giovanazzi was mentoring the Wolverines.
The match will be live video streamed as part of Eagle All-Access on EMUEagles.com. Veteran play-by-play voice Chad Bush will be calling the action from the Convocation Center beginning at 6:50 p.m. with first serve schedule for 7 p.m. 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.
UP NEXT FOR THE EAGLES: Following Wednesday's match the Eagles will again take to the sky for a trip to Starkville, Miss. for the Mississippi State Invitational, Sept. 11-12. The Eagles first face off against Northwestern State University Friday, Sept. 11, in the opener at 4:30 p.m. Eastern will then square off versus the Red Wolves of Arkansas State University at 10 a.m. before wrapping up play Saturday, Sept. 12, against the host Bulldogs of Mississippi State at 7 p.m. All matches will take place at the Newell-Grissom Building.
The Green and White have faced just one team in this year's field — that being a 3-2 setback to the then-Indians of Arkansas State, Sept. 9, 1995, at the Red Raider Blast in Lubbock, Texas.
IAQUANIELLO IN SOME RARIFIED FRESHMAN AIR: Freshman outside hitter Rachel Iaquaniello continued her sensational start to the 2009 campaign with an 18 kill performance in the opener of the Hampton Inn & Suites Northern Colorado Classic. However, it was not enough as the Eastern Michigan University volleyball team fell to the University of Miami (Fla.), 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-21), here at the Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion.
The 18 put-a-ways was a career best for the Plymouth, Mich. native and was the most kills by an EMU student-athlete since Victoria Randolph accumulated 19 kills last season versus Kent State University, Nov. 15, 2008. The total was also the most by an EMU freshman since Melissa Bartlett powered down 20 kills versus Oakland University, Sept. 11, 2004, in the finale of the Michigan/Pepsi Challenge in Ann Arbor, Mich.
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.
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.
A FRESH START: Youth will be heavily served in 2009 for Eastern Michigan, as 11 of the 15 players on the roster have one year or less of collegiate experience. Additionally, just two student-athletes have two-or-more years starting experience.
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 entertain 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.
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.
