EMU Returns Home for Two Cross-Divisional Contests

Volleyball vs. Bowling Green and Miami
Date:	October 14 \| October 15
Location:	Ypsilanti, Mich. - Convocation Center
Weekly Notes:	EMU Notes
Live Stats:	EMU Live Stats
Watch Live:	Eagle All-Access

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Currently riding a three-match losing streak, the Eastern Michigan University volleyball team returns to the Convocation Center to continue Mid-American Conference action. Following a two-loss weekend, the Eagles (7-12, 2-4 MAC) look to get revenge in a pair of MAC contests this weekend, Oct. 14-15.

The #MACtion continues Friday night, Oct. 14, when the Green and White host MAC East foe Bowling Green State University. The Falcons (13-6, 3-3 MAC) come into the match after cruising to victory over Buffalo last Saturday, Oct. 8. The match is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center. Friday evening's contest can be streamed live on Eagle All-Access at EMUEagles.com/watch. Following their match with BGSU, the Eagles will square off with the MAC East leading Miami University RedHawks. The RedHawks (14-4, 6-0 MAC) have yet to lose a conference contest. In fact, Miami has lost just one set since starting league play. That came in the RedHawks' 3-1 win over Akron, Oct. 8. The Green and White's match with MU will also be available on Eagle All-Access.

DIG PINK: Saturday's contest against the RedHawks will mark EMU's annual Dig Pink match. Fans wearing pink attire will receive $1 tickets, while EMU Athletics will be auctioning off gear, adidas aparrel, items donated by local businesses, and signed memorabilia. In addition, the Eagles' volleyball parents will be hosting a bake sale. All proceeds from the bake sale and the auction will proceed the SideOut Foundation.

ALL-TIME VERSUS THIS WEEKEND'S OPPONENTS: After three weekends of Mid-American Conference play in the books, the Eagles return home for a pair of cross-divisional matches at the Convocation Center. In all, the Green and White has met this weekend's opponents a total of 109 times, holding a 42-67 record against BGSU and MU.

FIGURING OUT THE FALCONS: Eastern Michigan will begin the weekend with MAC East foe Bowling Green on Friday night. The Eagles and Falcons have met on the hardwood 57 times. The series is pretty even between the two squads but the Green and White trail, 27-30. A year ago, the Eagles met the Falcons on a single occasion with Eastern coming away with a 3-2 victory. In fact, Bowling Green and Eastern Michigan have split their last 10 meetings.

READING THE REDHAWKS: The RedHawks have been a thorn in the Eagles' side throughout the years, holding a 37-15 edge over Eastern in 52 meetings. Last year, the Green and White dropped its only match with the RedHawks, 3-2, Oct. 17, 2015. Additionally, the Eagles are riding a four-match losing streak versus Miami. The last victory for Eastern Michigan came during the 2011 season when EMU swept the RedHawks, Oct. 14.

WEEKEND ROUNDUP: Eastern posted a 0-2 record when it completed the third weekend of Mid-American Conference play last weekend. The Eagles hit the road Thursday, Oct. 6, to take on Central Michigan, but fell, 3-2, while they also dropped a five-set match to Ohio, Oct. 8.

ROAD WOES: Like most teams in intercollegiate athletics, EMU has had much less success on the road. So far this season, the Eagles are 1-8 in true road matches. In the history of the program, the Green and White maintains a 183-265 overall record away from Ypsilanti. In addition to that number, Eastern Michigan holds just a 100-164 mark away from the Convo. Last year, EMU went 5-8 in true road matches.

COMFORTS OF THE CONVO: Since beginning play in 1976, Eastern Michigan has compiled a 227-166 record on their home court, highlighted by a 116-79 mark since moving to the Convocation Center in 1998.

REDHAWKS ARE ROLLING: Taking a look at Miami's squad, the RedHawks have been rolling as of late. They are undefeated in Mid-American Conference tilts, while dropping just four matches all season. Miami's last loss came at the hands of Illinois State, 3-2, when the RedHawks fell, Sept. 2, at the Tiger Invitational in Columbia, Mo. Since then, MU has dropped just six sets, including one in #MACtion.

OFFENSIVE STRUGGLES: The Eastern Michigan offense has struggled so far this season. In fact, the squad ranks 11th in the conference in hitting percentage (.174), assists (11.10/set) service aces (0.99/set) and kills (11.88/set).

TAYLOR HAS TAKEN OVER: Although both freshman Riley Taylor and redshirt sophomore Mallory Rajewski have been starting matches as of late, Taylor has become the Green and White's main setter since starting Mid-American Conference play. Overall, Taylor is posting 31.33 assists per match and 6.96 assists per set.

ALREADY IN THE RANKS: Redshirt sophomore setter Mallory Rajewski racked up 794 assists in her first year competing for the Green and White. This season, Rajewski has registered 280 assists, pushing her career total to 1,186. That number ranks as the 12th-most in Eastern Michigan history. Rajewski does have quite a bit of ground to make up, as Kate Sulewski holds the all-time career assists record with 5,474.

ON THE HORIZON: After returning home for a pair of Mid-American Conference cross-divisional matches this weekend, Oct. 14-15, the Eagles will hit the road again next weekend. EMU head to Akron Friday, Oct. 21, before traveling to upstate New York to take on Buffalo Saturday, Oct. 22. The match with Akron will be played at 7 p.m. on Friday night, while the Saturday contest is slated for 6 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Mallory Rajewski

Riley Taylor

Eastern Michigan Athletics