Eagles Downed by Colgate in Non-Conference Finale

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Match Highlights

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- After beating Auburn University the night before, the Eastern Michigan University volleyball team concluded the Michigan Challenge today, Sept. 18, with a loss to Colgate University at the Convocation Center. Eastern (5-8) was unable to get things going offensively against the Raiders (4-7), falling by totals of 25-16, 25-14, and 25-22.

Overall, the Eagles only mustered an attack percentage of .053. However, the Green and White totaled 49 digs on the day, with a pair of Eagles hitting double-digit digs.

Sophomore Jordan Smith (Solon, Iowa - Solon) posted eight kills on the day while also picking up four digs. Freshman Rachel Irbe (Greenfield, Ind. - Greenfield-Central) was just behind Smith in kills, finishing the day with seven. Redshirt sophomore Mallory Rajewski (Midland, Mich. - Midland) led the team in assists, nabbing 10, while freshman Riley Taylor (Indianapolis, Ind. - Perry Meridian) finished with nine.

On the defensive end, a pair of Eagles totaled double-digit digs. Sophomore Alyssa LaFace (Allen Park, Mich. - Allen Park) finished the match with 13 to lead the team. The other Eagle to hit double-digits was Taylor, who nabbed 10.

The first set saw Eastern keep things tight early on, as the score stood at 12-12 before the Raiders erupted to a six-point lead at 20-14. From there, Colgate capped off the set by a final of 25-16. The second set was different, as the Raiders got off to a hot start, never relinquishing their lead other than a tie at three apiece.

EMU mounted a comeback attempt in the third set despite trailing 10-4 early. Eventually, the Eagles tied it up at 20, and then again at 22, but were then unable to pick up any more points. Ultimately, the comeback attempt fell short, with the squad losting the set 25-22, and the match 3-0.

The Green and White will resume action next weekend with a pair of Mid-American Conference road matches. First, EMU will head south to Toledo for a bout at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23. The following day, Sept. 24, EMU travels to Muncie, Ind. for a match with Ball State at 7 p.m.

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Team Stats

Jordan Smith

Rachel Irbe

Alysa Sutton

Kelly Ferguson

Players Mentioned

Rachel Irbe

Alyssa LaFace

Mallory Rajewski

Jordan Smith

Riley Taylor

Players Mentioned

Rachel Irbe

Alyssa LaFace

Mallory Rajewski

Jordan Smith

Riley Taylor

Eastern Michigan Athletics