Eastern Michigan Athletics

Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography
Iaquaniello's 27 Kills Lead Volleyball Past Toledo, 3-1
10/1/2010 11:07:05 PM | Volleyball
Eagles improve to 7-0 on the road and 16-3 overall
Box score.
TOLEDO, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) –– Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Iaquaniello (Plymouth, Mich.-Dearborn Divine Child) blasted 27 kills and junior Ashley Mason (Eastlake, Ohio-Lake Catholic) contributed 51 assists to lead the Eastern Michigan University volleyball team to a 3-1 Mid-American Conference win (24-26, 25-20, 25-23, 25-20) over the University of Toledo Friday, Oct. 1, at Savage Arena.
The win moves the Eagles to 16-3 overall and a perfect 3-0 in the league. With the loss, Rockets to 5-9 overall and 0-3 in the MAC.
Iaquaniello's 27 kills is the fourth-best total among MAC players this season and the most kills recorded in a four-set match by any player in the conference since 2006. Her total is, however, the second-highest number of kills recorded in a MAC match this season. Besides being a career-best, Iaquaniello's 27 markers are also the most by an EMU student-athlete since Lindsay Piccolini notched 28 against Western Michigan, Sept. 23, 2006.
Junior libero Haley Stein (Carleton, Mich.-Monroe St. Mary's Catholic Central) topped the Eagles with a match-best 26 digs, and Mason produced a team-best six blocks to go along with the 51 set assists. Senior Jenn Swartz (Canton, Mich.- Westland John Glenn) was the only other Eagle to reach double-figures in kills with 11
For Toledo, Cassie Kleespies tallied a team-high 16 kills and match-best .484 attack percentage with Amber DeWeerdt (13) and Becca Reidy (10) also reaching double digits in put-a-ways. Libero Katie Westerfeld led the Midnight Blue and Gold defensively with 17 digs.
The opening set was evenly played throughout with 19 ties and eight lead changes. The Rockets appeared ready to take control late in the set following a four-point run to take a 20-17 advantage. However, EMU regrouped though to take a 24-22 advantage, but a UT kill and an Eagle error evened the contest at 24-24. Following a timeout by the Green and White, Toledo closed out the set with an EMU hitting error and a block.
The second set also was tight in the early stages as Toledo held a 12-9 advantage nearing the midway point. EMU would rally to even the score at 13 and eventually took control with a 6-0 run to make it 22-15. The Rockets would get no closer with EMU rolling to the 25-20 decision.
Following the intermission, Toledo surged to a quick 7-2 advantage in the third set, but EMU countered with six consecutive points to pull ahead 8-7. Neither team led by more than two points until a 5-0 Rocket spurt gave UT the 18-14 advantage. On the verge of behind 2-1, EMU poured it on with a 7-1 run as Iaquaniello took control to give the visitors a 25-23 victory.
In the finale, Eastern Michigan again fell behind early before rebounding to knot the score at 6-6. Neither team was able to gain control until late with the Green and White capturing a hard-fought 25-20 win.
The Eagles return to action on Saturday, Oct. 2 when it travels to Muncie, Ind. to face Ball State University. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Worthen Arena.
TOLEDO, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) –– Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Iaquaniello (Plymouth, Mich.-Dearborn Divine Child) blasted 27 kills and junior Ashley Mason (Eastlake, Ohio-Lake Catholic) contributed 51 assists to lead the Eastern Michigan University volleyball team to a 3-1 Mid-American Conference win (24-26, 25-20, 25-23, 25-20) over the University of Toledo Friday, Oct. 1, at Savage Arena.
The win moves the Eagles to 16-3 overall and a perfect 3-0 in the league. With the loss, Rockets to 5-9 overall and 0-3 in the MAC.
Iaquaniello's 27 kills is the fourth-best total among MAC players this season and the most kills recorded in a four-set match by any player in the conference since 2006. Her total is, however, the second-highest number of kills recorded in a MAC match this season. Besides being a career-best, Iaquaniello's 27 markers are also the most by an EMU student-athlete since Lindsay Piccolini notched 28 against Western Michigan, Sept. 23, 2006.
Junior libero Haley Stein (Carleton, Mich.-Monroe St. Mary's Catholic Central) topped the Eagles with a match-best 26 digs, and Mason produced a team-best six blocks to go along with the 51 set assists. Senior Jenn Swartz (Canton, Mich.- Westland John Glenn) was the only other Eagle to reach double-figures in kills with 11
For Toledo, Cassie Kleespies tallied a team-high 16 kills and match-best .484 attack percentage with Amber DeWeerdt (13) and Becca Reidy (10) also reaching double digits in put-a-ways. Libero Katie Westerfeld led the Midnight Blue and Gold defensively with 17 digs.
The opening set was evenly played throughout with 19 ties and eight lead changes. The Rockets appeared ready to take control late in the set following a four-point run to take a 20-17 advantage. However, EMU regrouped though to take a 24-22 advantage, but a UT kill and an Eagle error evened the contest at 24-24. Following a timeout by the Green and White, Toledo closed out the set with an EMU hitting error and a block.
The second set also was tight in the early stages as Toledo held a 12-9 advantage nearing the midway point. EMU would rally to even the score at 13 and eventually took control with a 6-0 run to make it 22-15. The Rockets would get no closer with EMU rolling to the 25-20 decision.
Following the intermission, Toledo surged to a quick 7-2 advantage in the third set, but EMU countered with six consecutive points to pull ahead 8-7. Neither team led by more than two points until a 5-0 Rocket spurt gave UT the 18-14 advantage. On the verge of behind 2-1, EMU poured it on with a 7-1 run as Iaquaniello took control to give the visitors a 25-23 victory.
In the finale, Eastern Michigan again fell behind early before rebounding to knot the score at 6-6. Neither team was able to gain control until late with the Green and White capturing a hard-fought 25-20 win.
The Eagles return to action on Saturday, Oct. 2 when it travels to Muncie, Ind. to face Ball State University. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Worthen Arena.
Concluding our senior spotlights with Ella Voorhees!🤩
Saturday, November 08
Volleyball Senior Highlights vs Ball State, Nov. 7, 2025
Saturday, November 08
Ashlynn’s set for senior night!👏
Thursday, November 06
Our spark plug on and off the court⚡️🦅 Excited to honor Ella Grasson on senior night this Friday!
Thursday, November 06






