Eastern Michigan Athletics
2011 EMU Volleyball Season Preview
8/25/2011 3:56:00 PM | Volleyball
The Eagles are coming off of one of their most successful seasons
Click Here for the 2011 Media Guide.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Coming off of one of her most successful seasons at the helm of the Eastern Michigan Volleyball program, Head Coach Kim Berrington and the Eagles look to again compete for a Mid-American Conference title in 2011. Berrington's squad went 24-11 in 2010, improving its win total from the previous season by 19 matches. The Eagles were able to make it to the quarterfinals of the 2010 Mid-American Conference tournament, but fell just two points shy of Northern Illinois in five sets.
Although they were full of youth, there was a nice balance of upper classmen that helped the Eagles to their 10-6 record in MAC play in 2010. Despite its success, Eastern finished fourth place in the West Division.
The Green and White return 10 letterwinners from the 2010 squad, including five starters and their libero. They also welcome four new first-year faces to the 2011 roster. Seniors Ashley Mason, Haley Stein and Cassie Sowers will help to lead this team this season as they try to earn one of eight openings into the slimmed MAC Tournament field.
Removed from last season's roster are four players, including one starter in Jenn Swartz. Swartz was third on the team in kills during the 2010 season with 279. The middle blocker as the Eagles' all-time leader in sets played and averaged .71 blocks per set throughout the 2010 season.
SETTER
In three years setting for the Eagles, Ashley Mason has made her mark in the EMU record book as she ranks fourth in career assists with 3,664. Mason was fourth in the MAC in assists, averaging 10.72 per game which was good for 47th in NCAA Division I. Mason was a second team All-MAC selection following the 2010 season.
“Her range is incredible and she will be able to run play sets from further distance away from the net than some of our opponent's and that should give us an advantage, attacking-wise, “ said Berrington of Mason. “We have to increase our attacking percentage and she will be the catalyst for that.”
Redshirt sophomore Kim Hildreth and freshman Natalie Folk will see some time on the court for the Eagles as spot setters and defensive specialists.
OUTSIDE HITTERS
For the 2011 campaign, the Eagles return first team All-MAC selection Rachel Iaquaniello. The Plymouth, Mich. native played in each set of the 2010 season, racking up 515 kills good for 3.90 kills per set. Iaquaniello was third in kills per set in the MAC, and ranked 49th nationally. She has also made a dent in her quest to re-write the EMU record book. In her first two seasons as an Eagle, Iaquaniello is 11th in total kills in EMU history with 927 in her career.
“Rachel just keeps getting better and better,” stated Berrington. “The weakest part of her game has been defense, but she played beach ball all summer and it is paying off.”
Erin Short looks to build on her All-MAC Freshman Team award winning performance in 2010. Short had a .281 hitting percentage in 2010 which led the team's hitters. She was fourth in kills and second in assists for the Eagles.
“Erin is impressive, her stats are impressive,” said Berrington. “She also has big kills and big blocks at key times.”
Paige Roback will also continue to see time starting for the Eagles. Roback was second on the team in kills with 324, averaging 2.45 per set in her 2010 season.
“Paige got off to a slow start with her stats, mainly attack percentage last year,” stated Berrington. “But, if you look her stats in the MAC Tournament and the last five or six MAC matches, she was really stellar for us.”
Also competing for playing time will be junior Kaitlyn Vincek and freshman Megan Crawshaw.
“Vincek is a solid back-up on the outside,” stated Berrington. “She is playing much higher above the net and her arm speed has improved. She could contribute more this year for us.”
“Crawshaw comes from good high school and club programs in the Kalamazoo area,” said Berrington. “She is long and lean, light on her feet, and plays pretty high above the net. She will get some work on the right side for us.”
MIDDLE BLOCKERS
With the departure of 2010 senior Jenn Swartz, there is a void left at the middle blocker position. The Eagles do return Kristen Baker who saw time in 131 of the 132 sets last season and looks to continue to succeed in the middle. Baker led the team in total blocks with 98, including 14 block solos. The junior also sits at number 18 for the Eagles with 169 career block assists.
“Kristen has battled injuries toward the end of the year,” said Berrington. “We need to keep her healthy because she will definitely be a leader as a middle blocker.”
Redshirt sophomore, Carolyn Steger will compete for time after sitting out the 2010 season due to a knee injury. Steger saw time in 14 matches in the 2009 season.
“Steger is coming off of a knee injury and redshirted last season,” mentioned Berrington. “She will fight for that middle blocker position. She had a very solid spring and she knows what we want to do blocking-wise.”
Two freshmen in Crawshaw and Katie Krasowski will also fight over the open middle blocker position. Krasowski was a 2010 Under Armor Girl's High School honorable mention All-American selection by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
“Crawshaw is showing some versatility by competing for the middle blocker spot and some playing time as an opposite,” mentioned Berrington. “She has been picking things up quickly.”
“Katie Krasowski comes from a great high school program, and a club program that has been one of the top four in the country over the past few years” said Berrington. “She comes in with a ton of experience, which should help the transition to Division I play.”
LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS
Senior Haley Stein is continuing to impress throughout her career at EMU. Stein set a single season record for digs in 2010 by picking up 757. Stein is also on her way to setting a career record in digs. At third on the career digs list, she is 685 digs away from the record holder with 1,513. She was also named All-MAC first team in last season's campaign after leading the MAC in digs. Stein ranked fifth nationally in digs per set with 5.73. She was also second nationally with her 757 digs.
“She is without a doubt the best libero in the conference,” stated Berrington when asked about Stein. “She is the hardest worker on our team and is so exciting to watch. She has also become a vocal leader for us as well. I am sure she will have another record breaking season.”
Another senior, Cassie Sowers, will see considerable time in the back row for another season with the Eagles. Sowers saw action in 128 sets in 2010. She averaged 1.94 digs per set and had 22 service aces for the Eagles in their 2010 campaign.
“Cassie provides so much energy because she covers so much court and she plays so hard. She doesn't care where she's going to dig the ball, she just gets it done,” said Berrington. “She is also our deep server, and she does so many little things that don't fill up the stat sheet but really help us.”
SCHEDULE
The 2011 schedule will prove to provide the Eagles with plenty of challenges prior to starting the 16-match Mid-American Conference slate. The Green and White will open their campaign with perennial volleyball powerhouse Notre Dame, Aug. 26 when they travel to South Bend, Ind. to compete in the 2011 Shamrock Invitational hosted by the Fighting Irish. In between the Shamrock Invitational and the Eagles next tournament, they open the home slate with Oakland University, Aug. 31 at the Convocation Center. The Eagles head to Indianapolis to compete in the IUPUI Hampton Inn Invitational, Sept. 3-4. Just one week later EMU heads to Salt Lake City, Utah, and takes part in the Utah Invitational, Sept. 9-10. The Eagles finish up their pre-conference play, Sept. 16-17, by competing in the Robert Morris Holiday Inn Volleyball Classic. The Eagles open up conference play Sept. 23 when they travel to Kalamazoo to take on MAC-West Division foe Western Michigan. The Green and White host Ohio for their first home conference match-up Oct. 1. EMU will play host to eight conference opponents before the end of the season which wraps up with the MAC Tournament which will be held at the SPIRE Sports Complex, Nov. 18-20 in Geneva.
“I like to open up playing against tough competition because we need to learn how to play against teams that play at that NCAA Tournament level,” said Berrington. “I like the schedule that we have because we have some big, formidable opponents, but we also play some scrappier opponents who play great defense. It is a nice mix for us that provides an opportunity to work on a lot of different things before we head into MAC play.”
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Coming off of one of her most successful seasons at the helm of the Eastern Michigan Volleyball program, Head Coach Kim Berrington and the Eagles look to again compete for a Mid-American Conference title in 2011. Berrington's squad went 24-11 in 2010, improving its win total from the previous season by 19 matches. The Eagles were able to make it to the quarterfinals of the 2010 Mid-American Conference tournament, but fell just two points shy of Northern Illinois in five sets.
Although they were full of youth, there was a nice balance of upper classmen that helped the Eagles to their 10-6 record in MAC play in 2010. Despite its success, Eastern finished fourth place in the West Division.
The Green and White return 10 letterwinners from the 2010 squad, including five starters and their libero. They also welcome four new first-year faces to the 2011 roster. Seniors Ashley Mason, Haley Stein and Cassie Sowers will help to lead this team this season as they try to earn one of eight openings into the slimmed MAC Tournament field.
Removed from last season's roster are four players, including one starter in Jenn Swartz. Swartz was third on the team in kills during the 2010 season with 279. The middle blocker as the Eagles' all-time leader in sets played and averaged .71 blocks per set throughout the 2010 season.
SETTER
In three years setting for the Eagles, Ashley Mason has made her mark in the EMU record book as she ranks fourth in career assists with 3,664. Mason was fourth in the MAC in assists, averaging 10.72 per game which was good for 47th in NCAA Division I. Mason was a second team All-MAC selection following the 2010 season.
“Her range is incredible and she will be able to run play sets from further distance away from the net than some of our opponent's and that should give us an advantage, attacking-wise, “ said Berrington of Mason. “We have to increase our attacking percentage and she will be the catalyst for that.”
Redshirt sophomore Kim Hildreth and freshman Natalie Folk will see some time on the court for the Eagles as spot setters and defensive specialists.
OUTSIDE HITTERS
For the 2011 campaign, the Eagles return first team All-MAC selection Rachel Iaquaniello. The Plymouth, Mich. native played in each set of the 2010 season, racking up 515 kills good for 3.90 kills per set. Iaquaniello was third in kills per set in the MAC, and ranked 49th nationally. She has also made a dent in her quest to re-write the EMU record book. In her first two seasons as an Eagle, Iaquaniello is 11th in total kills in EMU history with 927 in her career.
“Rachel just keeps getting better and better,” stated Berrington. “The weakest part of her game has been defense, but she played beach ball all summer and it is paying off.”
Erin Short looks to build on her All-MAC Freshman Team award winning performance in 2010. Short had a .281 hitting percentage in 2010 which led the team's hitters. She was fourth in kills and second in assists for the Eagles.
“Erin is impressive, her stats are impressive,” said Berrington. “She also has big kills and big blocks at key times.”
Paige Roback will also continue to see time starting for the Eagles. Roback was second on the team in kills with 324, averaging 2.45 per set in her 2010 season.
“Paige got off to a slow start with her stats, mainly attack percentage last year,” stated Berrington. “But, if you look her stats in the MAC Tournament and the last five or six MAC matches, she was really stellar for us.”
Also competing for playing time will be junior Kaitlyn Vincek and freshman Megan Crawshaw.
“Vincek is a solid back-up on the outside,” stated Berrington. “She is playing much higher above the net and her arm speed has improved. She could contribute more this year for us.”
“Crawshaw comes from good high school and club programs in the Kalamazoo area,” said Berrington. “She is long and lean, light on her feet, and plays pretty high above the net. She will get some work on the right side for us.”
MIDDLE BLOCKERS
With the departure of 2010 senior Jenn Swartz, there is a void left at the middle blocker position. The Eagles do return Kristen Baker who saw time in 131 of the 132 sets last season and looks to continue to succeed in the middle. Baker led the team in total blocks with 98, including 14 block solos. The junior also sits at number 18 for the Eagles with 169 career block assists.
“Kristen has battled injuries toward the end of the year,” said Berrington. “We need to keep her healthy because she will definitely be a leader as a middle blocker.”
Redshirt sophomore, Carolyn Steger will compete for time after sitting out the 2010 season due to a knee injury. Steger saw time in 14 matches in the 2009 season.
“Steger is coming off of a knee injury and redshirted last season,” mentioned Berrington. “She will fight for that middle blocker position. She had a very solid spring and she knows what we want to do blocking-wise.”
Two freshmen in Crawshaw and Katie Krasowski will also fight over the open middle blocker position. Krasowski was a 2010 Under Armor Girl's High School honorable mention All-American selection by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
“Crawshaw is showing some versatility by competing for the middle blocker spot and some playing time as an opposite,” mentioned Berrington. “She has been picking things up quickly.”
“Katie Krasowski comes from a great high school program, and a club program that has been one of the top four in the country over the past few years” said Berrington. “She comes in with a ton of experience, which should help the transition to Division I play.”
LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS
Senior Haley Stein is continuing to impress throughout her career at EMU. Stein set a single season record for digs in 2010 by picking up 757. Stein is also on her way to setting a career record in digs. At third on the career digs list, she is 685 digs away from the record holder with 1,513. She was also named All-MAC first team in last season's campaign after leading the MAC in digs. Stein ranked fifth nationally in digs per set with 5.73. She was also second nationally with her 757 digs.
“She is without a doubt the best libero in the conference,” stated Berrington when asked about Stein. “She is the hardest worker on our team and is so exciting to watch. She has also become a vocal leader for us as well. I am sure she will have another record breaking season.”
Another senior, Cassie Sowers, will see considerable time in the back row for another season with the Eagles. Sowers saw action in 128 sets in 2010. She averaged 1.94 digs per set and had 22 service aces for the Eagles in their 2010 campaign.
“Cassie provides so much energy because she covers so much court and she plays so hard. She doesn't care where she's going to dig the ball, she just gets it done,” said Berrington. “She is also our deep server, and she does so many little things that don't fill up the stat sheet but really help us.”
SCHEDULE
The 2011 schedule will prove to provide the Eagles with plenty of challenges prior to starting the 16-match Mid-American Conference slate. The Green and White will open their campaign with perennial volleyball powerhouse Notre Dame, Aug. 26 when they travel to South Bend, Ind. to compete in the 2011 Shamrock Invitational hosted by the Fighting Irish. In between the Shamrock Invitational and the Eagles next tournament, they open the home slate with Oakland University, Aug. 31 at the Convocation Center. The Eagles head to Indianapolis to compete in the IUPUI Hampton Inn Invitational, Sept. 3-4. Just one week later EMU heads to Salt Lake City, Utah, and takes part in the Utah Invitational, Sept. 9-10. The Eagles finish up their pre-conference play, Sept. 16-17, by competing in the Robert Morris Holiday Inn Volleyball Classic. The Eagles open up conference play Sept. 23 when they travel to Kalamazoo to take on MAC-West Division foe Western Michigan. The Green and White host Ohio for their first home conference match-up Oct. 1. EMU will play host to eight conference opponents before the end of the season which wraps up with the MAC Tournament which will be held at the SPIRE Sports Complex, Nov. 18-20 in Geneva.
“I like to open up playing against tough competition because we need to learn how to play against teams that play at that NCAA Tournament level,” said Berrington. “I like the schedule that we have because we have some big, formidable opponents, but we also play some scrappier opponents who play great defense. It is a nice mix for us that provides an opportunity to work on a lot of different things before we head into MAC play.”
Statement win😤👊
Wednesday, October 29
Wrigley with a career-best 10 blocks!🙅♀️🚫
Monday, October 27
Serving up tacos and aces!
Wednesday, October 22
Elite bench squad😤
Monday, October 13