EMU to Close Out Non-Conference Play at Flyer Invitational

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Eastern Michigan University's volleyball team has cruised through its first three weekends coming away with an extremely successful start to the year. The Eagles (7-3) will come to the culmination of their non-conference portion of the 2015 campaign this weekend, Sept. 18-19, when they travel south to Dayton, Ohio for the Flyer Invitational. At the Flyer Invite, the Green and White will square off with three different opponents over the two-day tournament.

Eastern Michigan will begin the weekend with a 4 p.m. contest versus Jacksonville University (3-6) Friday, Sept. 18 at the Frericks Center. Saturday, Sept. 19, will be the concluding day of the tournament and the Eagles' non-conference season as EMU will compete in a pair of matches through the afternoon and evening. First, the Green and White will take on Illinois State University (7-2) at 4 p.m. prior to meeting the host school, the University of Dayton (4-5), just three hours later at 7 p.m. It will be the second-straight weekend in which Eastern Michigan will have to play two matches in a three hour span.

NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS: In her first season at the helm of the EMU volleyball program, first-year head coach Kimi Olson has proven that she can lead this program. During the non-conference portion of the 2015 schedule, Olson's team is 7-3 and is in search of grabbing double-digit wins in non-conference play with a sweep at the 2015 Dayton Invitational. With the sweep, it would be the first time since 2013 when EMU won seven of its final eight non-conference tilts to reach 10 wins in the "preseason".

LEADERS OF THE WEST: After its quick, yet hot start to the 2015 campaign, Eastern Michigan is leading the West Division of the Mid-American Conference with a 7-3 record. In fact, EMU's winning percentage (.700) is the best in the MAC overall as conference-favorite, Ohio, has the same record and winning percentage.

YOUNG GUNS: Eastern Michigan has the luxury of a pair of freshmen stepping right into contributing roles this season. On the inside, Cassie Haut is hitting at a .248 clip, which ranks third on the squad, while Jordan Smith is racking up 2.39 kills per frame, which puts her second-most on the team. In addition, redshirt freshman Mallory Rajewski has split time with senior Alyssa Davis at setter and has done a fine job, averaging 5.32 assists per frame.

ALL-TIME AGAINST THE OPPONENTS: EMU has played a total of just eight matches against this week's four opponents. The Eagles will square off with Jacksonville for the third time and Dayton for the seventh time, while never having seen Illinois State on the volleyball court in the 39-year history of Eastern Michigan volleyball.

The Green and White holds a 2-0 edge throughout the two-match history of the squads. The Eagles have won both matches with the Dolphins. In the last outing, the Eagles swept JU, 3-0 in a match at North Florida, Sept. 3, 2005.

Eastern Michigan and Dayton will meet up for the first time following a 15-season hiatus. The Green and White will be looking to avenge a 3-0 loss at the hands of the Flyers during the Flyer Invitational back on Sept. 8, 2000.

MURRAY EARNS ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM HONORS: Junior middle blocker Devon Murray put together a solid weekend at the 2015 ISU Holiday Inn Classic, Sept. 11-12. The Shelby, Ohio native earned all-tournament team honors after averaging 2.11 kills with a .312 attack percentage. In addition, the junior recorded nine service aces in the tournament, good for 0.50 per set.

SMITH SETS HER SIGHTS ON HISTORY: After back-to-back seasons as one of the top libero's in the Mid-American Conference, senior Corynne Smith is looking to make a run at becoming the EMU all-time dig leader. The Norwalk, Ohio native is 571 digs shy of former Eagle Ashley Cudney's 2,266. During the 2013 season, Smith totaled 684 digs and will look to improve on her 577 from last season.

IN SEARCH OF A SETTER: Following the first weekend of the 2015 campaign, it looks as though head coach Kimi Olson will be splitting time between her two setters, senior Alyssa Davis and freshman Mallory Rajewski. After three matches, Davis has seen more time as the starter at setter but Rajewski is getting plenty of reps in the rotations. Overall, Davis leads the Eagles with 120 assists on the young season, while Rajewski has totaled 109. Combined, the duo is posting 11.45 assists per frame.

A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE LEADERS: As of the most recent full statistical release by the MAC, the EMU volleyball team is near the top in almost every statistical category following their strong 7-3 start to the season. In fact, Eastern leads the league in kills per set (12.97), assists per set (12.37) and digs per set (17.18) while ranking second in opponent hitting percentage (.180) and third in aces per set (1.39).

Individually, Stacey Perinar leads the conference in kills per set at 4.18 per frame, while Corynne Smith is second in the MAC in digs per set (5.45). Junior Devon Murray ranks in the top-10 in a pair of categories, recording a .287 attack percentage good for eight, along with the seventh-most digs per frame (0.34). Rounding out spots in the top-10 for EMU student-athletes is senior Katie Krasowski who is tied for eighth in blocks per set, averaging one stuff per frame.

NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT: EMU's senior libero, Corynne Smith, has been one of the top libero's in the conference since taking over the spot in 2013. In fact, Smith has become one of the best in the NCAA. She is averaging 5.45 digs per set which is tied for 12th in the country. Overall, the Eagles' defense has become well-known for its defensive prowess. As a team, the Green and White's 17.18 digs per set is the 15th-best in the country and best in the MAC by 0.28 digs per set.

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Players Mentioned

Alyssa Davis

Cassie Haut

Katie Krasowski

Devon Murray

Stacey Perinar

Mallory Rajewski

Corynne Smith

Jordan Smith

Eastern Michigan Athletics