Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU Volleyball Prepped for 2012 Campaign
8/16/2012 10:58:00 AM | Volleyball
Eastern returns 10 letterwinners from 2011 for Kim Berrington's 17th season at the helm
The Eastern Michigan University women's volleyball team is coming off a successful campaign after making it to the 2011 Mid-American Conference Tournament. The Eagles recorded their 12th season with 20 or more wins, finishing the season with a 21-11 record. Eastern faced-off with Ball State University in the opening round of the MAC Tournament and put up a valiant fight before falling to the Cardinals in four sets at the SPIRE Institute, in Geneva, Ohio, where it was held for the first time.
Although they were full of youth, there was a nice balance of upper classmen that helped the Eagles to their 9-7 record in MAC play in 2011. Despite its success, Eastern finished fourth place in the tough West Division and fifth overall in the conference.
The Green and White return 10 letterwinners from the 2011 squad, including five starters. Seniors Kristen Baker, Rachel Iaquaniello and Kaitlyn Vincek will help to lead this team this season as they try to earn one of eight openings into the slimmed MAC Tournament field. EMU also welcome four new first-year faces to the 2012 roster.
Removed from last season's roster are three players, including a pair of All-MAC First Team award winners in Ashley Mason and Haley Stein. Both Mason and Stein made marks in the EMU record books during their four years donning the Green and White. Mason holds the career record for sets played with 506, while Stein sits in second with 487. Mason is also second on the career assists list with 4,907 and Stein is second in career digs with 2,158. Cassie Sowers, the other graduated senior from 2011, played the fourth-most sets in Eastern's history with 454 and was a major contributor on defense.
SETTER
In four years setting for the Eagles, Mason made her mark in the EMU record book, but the former first team All-MAC performer exhausted her NCAA eligibility in the 2011 season. The 2012 campaign opens the door to a pair of athletes vying for the starting setter position. Redshirt junior Kim Hildreth will battle with incoming freshman Alyssa Davis. Kim has been Mason's backup for the previous three seasons.
“Kim's experience may be crucial in leading the Eagles offense,” said Head Coach Kim Berrington.
Davis is a setter from Kalamazoo, Mich. who was a four-time letterwinner at Plainwell High School. Davis was named to the all-conference team three straight seasons, and led the Trojans to a district championship in her freshman campaign.
“Alyssa brings a lot of skills to the setting position,” remarked Berrington. “She can definitely challenge for the position.”
OUTSIDE HITTERS
For the 2012 campaign, the Green and White return two-time first team All-MAC selection Rachel Iaquaniello. The Plymouth, Mich. native played in each set of the 2011 season, racking up 468 kills. Iaquaniello was second in the MAC with 3.97 kills per set and 4.40 points per set. She not only led Eastern in kills, but aces as well with 32. The senior was exceptional defensively, picking up 323 digs, good for 2.74 per set. She maintained a .968 reception percentage, making just 10 receiving errors in 313 attempts. Iaquaniello notched 30.0 total blocks, along with 13 double-double performances and was in double-figures for kills in 30 of the Eagles' 32 matches throughout the 2011 campaign.
“I'm looking forward to Rachel bringing her beach experience indoors and to dominate both the front and back row,” mentioned Berrington.
Erin Short and Paige Roback will also continue to see time starting for the Eagles. Short was second on the team in assists, and averaged 1.80 kills per set. Roback was third on the team in kills with 290, averaging 2.42 per set. Both Short and Roback saw action in all 32 matches during the 2011 campaign. Roback was also named to the IUPUI Hampton Inn Invitational's All-Tournament team and was named Most Valuable Player of the Robert Morris Holiday Inn Volleyball Classic.
“Erin is a huge blocker for us, but I'm waiting for her to put up some big offensive numbers for us,” stated Berrington.
“Paige has become such a smart, steady player,” said Berrington. “She can come up big for us in any match.”
Also competing for playing time will be senior Vincek and freshman, Stacey Perinar.
“Kaitlyn is coming off of shoulder surgery, so we are hoping that she can contribute,” remarked Berrington. “She's such a hard worker and team player.”
“Stacey has a great arm swing and is so aggressive,” explained Berrington. “She certainly will add depth to our roster at the outside hitter position.”
MIDDLE BLOCKERS
Eastern returns a pair of stellar middle blockers from the 2011 campaign in Baker and Megan Crawshaw. Baker played in 119 of the 120 sets last season and looks to continue her success in the middle. Baker led the team in total blocks with 108, including 10 block solos. The senior also sits at number seven for the Eagles with 267 career block assists. Baker also was second on the team in kills, totaling 294. Crawshaw was named to the MAC All-Freshman team in 2011 after she accumulated 115 kills in 101 sets, while notching 68 total blocks.
“Kristen is our rock in the middle,” said Berrington. “I really expect her to have a breakout All-MAC type of year for the Eagles.”
“Megan had a great spring,” remarked Berrington. “I'm expecting her to add more offense this year.”
Redshirt junior, Carolyn Steger will continue to compete for time after appearing in 22 sets in the 2011 season.
“Carolyn has the knowledge and experience to be a contributor, she's also been working on her consistency,” mention Berrington.
Sophomore, Katie Krasowski and redshirt freshman Kelsey Jones will also fight for playing time this season for the Eagles. Krasowski saw action in 15 matches and recorded 15 kills on the season.
“Katie will come into pre-season nursing a back injury, so I'm not sure what to expect,” explained Berrington. “I hope she can get back to action so we can use her offensively.”
"Kelsey has improved so much," remarked Berrington. "She is a huge blocker for us and may see some playing time on the right side as well."
LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS
With the departure of the 2011 MAC Defensive Player of the Year, Stein, the Green and White have quite the void to fill at the libero position. However, the Eagles have a pair of freshmen and a sophomore who will look to fight over the open libero spot as both Sierra Reed and Corynne Smith had success at the high school level.
“I'm not sure who will wear the libero jersey this year, but it doesn't matter,” stated Berrington. “Both of these freshmen will be on the court. They are both talented and very feisty. They love to compete and it shows, they're a fantastic duo to have.”
“Sierra has both a state and national championship under her belt,” said Berrington. “I hope she brings that experience on the court when we need it in game five.”
“Corynne has a magical platform and can cover a big range on serve receive,” explained Berrington.
Also exhausting her eligibility last season was Sowers who appeared in every match for the Eagles as a defensive specialist. Sophomore Natalie Folk is in the mix for the libero position as well. She held a .969 reception percentage as a rookie in 2011.
“Natalie certainly did not play like a freshman last year, so I expect her to be the leader of our defensive specialists,” said Berrington. “She is the most versatile of the three of them, so she needs to be prepared for that role.”
SCHEDULE
The 2012 non-conference schedule should 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 Arkansas-Little Rock, Aug. 24, when they travel to Memphis, Tenn. to compete in the 2012 Memphis Invitational hosted by the University of Memphis. In between the Memphis Invitational and the Eagles next tournament, they open the home slate with Cleveland State University, Aug. 28, at the Convocation Center. The Eagles then head to Chicago, Ill. to compete in the University of Illinois-Chicago Invitational, Aug. 31-Sept. 1. Just one week later EMU heads to Denton, Texas to take part in the University of North Texas Mean Green Invitational, Sept. 7-8. Before their final pre-conference tournament, the Eagles travel to Rochester, Mich. to take on in-state rival, Oakland University. The Eagles finish up their pre-conference play, Sept. 14-15, at the University of Michigan Coke Invitational. The Green and White open up conference play Sept. 21 when it hosts MAC-West Division foe Western Michigan University. EMU will play host to eight conference opponents before the end of the season which wraps up with the MAC Tournament at the SPIRE Sports Complex, Nov. 16-18, in Geneva.
“Our schedule gives us an opportunity to see a variety of teams and playing styles,” explained Berrington. “We need to use each opportunity to prepare for the MAC. Hopefully we will be able to experiment with line-ups early to give us options later down the road. The more players that are able to contribute gives the coaches more options. We would love to be able to fill a need on any given night with the depth on our bench.”
Although they were full of youth, there was a nice balance of upper classmen that helped the Eagles to their 9-7 record in MAC play in 2011. Despite its success, Eastern finished fourth place in the tough West Division and fifth overall in the conference.
The Green and White return 10 letterwinners from the 2011 squad, including five starters. Seniors Kristen Baker, Rachel Iaquaniello and Kaitlyn Vincek will help to lead this team this season as they try to earn one of eight openings into the slimmed MAC Tournament field. EMU also welcome four new first-year faces to the 2012 roster.
Removed from last season's roster are three players, including a pair of All-MAC First Team award winners in Ashley Mason and Haley Stein. Both Mason and Stein made marks in the EMU record books during their four years donning the Green and White. Mason holds the career record for sets played with 506, while Stein sits in second with 487. Mason is also second on the career assists list with 4,907 and Stein is second in career digs with 2,158. Cassie Sowers, the other graduated senior from 2011, played the fourth-most sets in Eastern's history with 454 and was a major contributor on defense.
SETTER
In four years setting for the Eagles, Mason made her mark in the EMU record book, but the former first team All-MAC performer exhausted her NCAA eligibility in the 2011 season. The 2012 campaign opens the door to a pair of athletes vying for the starting setter position. Redshirt junior Kim Hildreth will battle with incoming freshman Alyssa Davis. Kim has been Mason's backup for the previous three seasons.
“Kim's experience may be crucial in leading the Eagles offense,” said Head Coach Kim Berrington.
Davis is a setter from Kalamazoo, Mich. who was a four-time letterwinner at Plainwell High School. Davis was named to the all-conference team three straight seasons, and led the Trojans to a district championship in her freshman campaign.
“Alyssa brings a lot of skills to the setting position,” remarked Berrington. “She can definitely challenge for the position.”
OUTSIDE HITTERS
For the 2012 campaign, the Green and White return two-time first team All-MAC selection Rachel Iaquaniello. The Plymouth, Mich. native played in each set of the 2011 season, racking up 468 kills. Iaquaniello was second in the MAC with 3.97 kills per set and 4.40 points per set. She not only led Eastern in kills, but aces as well with 32. The senior was exceptional defensively, picking up 323 digs, good for 2.74 per set. She maintained a .968 reception percentage, making just 10 receiving errors in 313 attempts. Iaquaniello notched 30.0 total blocks, along with 13 double-double performances and was in double-figures for kills in 30 of the Eagles' 32 matches throughout the 2011 campaign.
“I'm looking forward to Rachel bringing her beach experience indoors and to dominate both the front and back row,” mentioned Berrington.
Erin Short and Paige Roback will also continue to see time starting for the Eagles. Short was second on the team in assists, and averaged 1.80 kills per set. Roback was third on the team in kills with 290, averaging 2.42 per set. Both Short and Roback saw action in all 32 matches during the 2011 campaign. Roback was also named to the IUPUI Hampton Inn Invitational's All-Tournament team and was named Most Valuable Player of the Robert Morris Holiday Inn Volleyball Classic.
“Erin is a huge blocker for us, but I'm waiting for her to put up some big offensive numbers for us,” stated Berrington.
“Paige has become such a smart, steady player,” said Berrington. “She can come up big for us in any match.”
Also competing for playing time will be senior Vincek and freshman, Stacey Perinar.
“Kaitlyn is coming off of shoulder surgery, so we are hoping that she can contribute,” remarked Berrington. “She's such a hard worker and team player.”
“Stacey has a great arm swing and is so aggressive,” explained Berrington. “She certainly will add depth to our roster at the outside hitter position.”
MIDDLE BLOCKERS
Eastern returns a pair of stellar middle blockers from the 2011 campaign in Baker and Megan Crawshaw. Baker played in 119 of the 120 sets last season and looks to continue her success in the middle. Baker led the team in total blocks with 108, including 10 block solos. The senior also sits at number seven for the Eagles with 267 career block assists. Baker also was second on the team in kills, totaling 294. Crawshaw was named to the MAC All-Freshman team in 2011 after she accumulated 115 kills in 101 sets, while notching 68 total blocks.
“Kristen is our rock in the middle,” said Berrington. “I really expect her to have a breakout All-MAC type of year for the Eagles.”
“Megan had a great spring,” remarked Berrington. “I'm expecting her to add more offense this year.”
Redshirt junior, Carolyn Steger will continue to compete for time after appearing in 22 sets in the 2011 season.
“Carolyn has the knowledge and experience to be a contributor, she's also been working on her consistency,” mention Berrington.
Sophomore, Katie Krasowski and redshirt freshman Kelsey Jones will also fight for playing time this season for the Eagles. Krasowski saw action in 15 matches and recorded 15 kills on the season.
“Katie will come into pre-season nursing a back injury, so I'm not sure what to expect,” explained Berrington. “I hope she can get back to action so we can use her offensively.”
"Kelsey has improved so much," remarked Berrington. "She is a huge blocker for us and may see some playing time on the right side as well."
LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS
With the departure of the 2011 MAC Defensive Player of the Year, Stein, the Green and White have quite the void to fill at the libero position. However, the Eagles have a pair of freshmen and a sophomore who will look to fight over the open libero spot as both Sierra Reed and Corynne Smith had success at the high school level.
“I'm not sure who will wear the libero jersey this year, but it doesn't matter,” stated Berrington. “Both of these freshmen will be on the court. They are both talented and very feisty. They love to compete and it shows, they're a fantastic duo to have.”
“Sierra has both a state and national championship under her belt,” said Berrington. “I hope she brings that experience on the court when we need it in game five.”
“Corynne has a magical platform and can cover a big range on serve receive,” explained Berrington.
Also exhausting her eligibility last season was Sowers who appeared in every match for the Eagles as a defensive specialist. Sophomore Natalie Folk is in the mix for the libero position as well. She held a .969 reception percentage as a rookie in 2011.
“Natalie certainly did not play like a freshman last year, so I expect her to be the leader of our defensive specialists,” said Berrington. “She is the most versatile of the three of them, so she needs to be prepared for that role.”
SCHEDULE
The 2012 non-conference schedule should 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 Arkansas-Little Rock, Aug. 24, when they travel to Memphis, Tenn. to compete in the 2012 Memphis Invitational hosted by the University of Memphis. In between the Memphis Invitational and the Eagles next tournament, they open the home slate with Cleveland State University, Aug. 28, at the Convocation Center. The Eagles then head to Chicago, Ill. to compete in the University of Illinois-Chicago Invitational, Aug. 31-Sept. 1. Just one week later EMU heads to Denton, Texas to take part in the University of North Texas Mean Green Invitational, Sept. 7-8. Before their final pre-conference tournament, the Eagles travel to Rochester, Mich. to take on in-state rival, Oakland University. The Eagles finish up their pre-conference play, Sept. 14-15, at the University of Michigan Coke Invitational. The Green and White open up conference play Sept. 21 when it hosts MAC-West Division foe Western Michigan University. EMU will play host to eight conference opponents before the end of the season which wraps up with the MAC Tournament at the SPIRE Sports Complex, Nov. 16-18, in Geneva.
“Our schedule gives us an opportunity to see a variety of teams and playing styles,” explained Berrington. “We need to use each opportunity to prepare for the MAC. Hopefully we will be able to experiment with line-ups early to give us options later down the road. The more players that are able to contribute gives the coaches more options. We would love to be able to fill a need on any given night with the depth on our bench.”
Serving up tacos and aces!
Wednesday, October 22
Elite bench squad😤
Monday, October 13
Volleyball Highlights vs. Kent State, Oct. 9, 2025
Friday, October 10
Ava Siefke Career-High 22-Kill Match Highlight
Sunday, October 05