Eastern Michigan Athletics

Saturday, October 22
Buffalo, N.Y.
6 p.m.

Eastern Michigan University

8-15, 3-7MAC

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at
3

Buffalo

3-20, 2-8MAC

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2
3
4
5
F
Eastern Michigan
25
24
26
21
13
2
Buffalo
14
26
24
25
15
3
Rachel Irbe
Photo by: Andy Drabic

Eagles Fall in Five Set Match at Buffalo

10/23/2016 10:43:00 AM | Volleyball

Irbe and Smith grab career highs in kills but EMU falls in five

BUFFALO, N.Y. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team traveled to Buffalo, N.Y. to square off with the University at Buffalo Saturday, Oct. 22. The Eagles (8-15, 3-7 MAC) eventually fell to the Bills (3-20, 2-8 MAC), 14-25, 26-24, 24-26, 25-21, 15-13.

Rachel Irbe (Greenfield, Ind.-Greenfield Central) led the Green and White offensive atack with a career-best 21 kills, while Jordan Smith (Solon, Iowa-Solon) netted 20 kills of her own to go along with 17 digs for her fifth double-double of the 2016 campaign. Riley Taylor (Indianapolis, Ind.-Perry Meridian) handled the setting duties for EMU, posting 48 assists, seven kills and eight digs. Devon Murray (Shelby, Ohio-Shelby) grabbed six blocks and seven kills, while Samantha Falco (Antioch, Ill.-Antioch Community) net 10 blocks. Finally, Alyssa LaFace (Allen Park, Mich.-Allen Park) manned the back row for Eastern picking up 25 digs in the process.

Set one saw the Eagles soar on the offensive attack. The Green and White hit at a.368 attack percentage on its way to a quick 25-14 set win. Smith posted five kills while Irbe and Murray grabbed four apiece. Additionally, Kelly Ferguson (Lemont, Ill.-Lemont (Austin Peay)) added three kills, while the defense held Buffalo to just 10 kills and a .182 attack percentage.

With a 1-0 lead, Eastern Michigan continued its strong offensive output, hitting .308 in the second set. The Bulls were up to the task in set two though, hitting at a stout .353. Buffalo was able to overpower EMU toward the end of the set and eventually knotted up the match at 1-1 with a 26-24 set victory.

Eastern was able to take set three and look at victory in the eyes following the third frame. Irbe grabbed six kills in the set, while Smith and Taylor each contributed four. EMU hit .235 on its way to the 26-24 set win.

Buffalo was able to come away with wins in sets four and five, 25-21 and 15-13. The Green and White struggled on the offensive side of the net in the final two frames hitting at a combined .086. The Bulls hit .213 in the final two sets on their way to a win.

Eastern Michigan volleyball returns to the court Friday, Oct. 28, for a special Noon contest with Ball State University. The Eagles and Cardinals will square off at the Convocation Center on Education Day.
 

Team Stats

EMU
UB
Kills
67
63
Errors
28
24
Attempts
169
164
Hitting %
.231
.238
Points
89.0
81.0
Assists
64
58
Aces
9
7
Blocks
13.0
11.0

Game Leaders

Kills
21
Aces
4
Blocks
2
Kills
20
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
6

Players Mentioned

MB
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ Volleyball
RS/MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
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