Eagles Drop Vandals in Straight Sets

Box score

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's volleyball team finished up strong in the 2011 Shamrock Invitational by defeating the Idaho Vandals in straight sets on Sunday. The Eagles took the first set 25-19 and never looked back taking the final two frames 25-23 and 25-21 at the Joyce Center.

EMU moved to 2-1 on the young 2011 campaign, while the Vandals fell to 1-2 on the season.

Leading the Green and White offensively was Rachel Iaquaniello (Plymouth, Mich.-Dearborn Divine Child) with 15 kills and a pair of aces. She also chipped-in with seven digs and two assists. Erin Short (Orrville, Ohio-Orrville) helped out at the net banging home nine kills. She also picked up 10 digs in the Eagles winning effort. Cassie Sowers (Williamsport, Ohio-Wesfall) served up three aces for EMU, while Ashley Mason (Eastlake, Ohio-Lake Catholic) had a team high 36 assists. Carolyn Steger (Wexford, Pa.-Pine Richland) had a pair of blocks and six kills with a .600 attack percentage and Haley Stein (Carleton, Mich.-Monroe St. Mary's Catholic Central) led the Green and White in digs with 17.

The Eagles took the opening set 25-19 with help from Mason. The senior came away with 13 assists and three kills in the first frame. Iaquaniello led the offense with five kills, and a .714 attack percentage in the opening set, while Paige Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Notre Dame Academy) helped out by banging home three kills for herself. Sowers, Short and Steger each chipped-in with two kills each.

EMU came out and took the second set 25-23 with help from Steger and Short. Steger drove home five kills and had a block in the second frame, while Short had three kills, two blocks, an ace, and an assist. Mason added 13 more assists to help set things up for the Eagles.

The Green and White took the final set of the match 25-21. Iaquaniello was strong in the third frame as she served up a pair of back-to-back aces, and knocked home six kills for the Eagles.

EMU had a pair of athletes named to the Shamrock Invitational's All-Tournament Team as senior setter Ashley Mason and junior outside hitter Rachel Iaquaniello both garnered the honor.

The Eagles open up their home season on Wednesday, Aug. 31 when they play host to the Oakland Golden Grizzlies. The match is set for 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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