Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, September 23
Toledo, Ohio
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
6-8 (1-0MAC)
3
at
2
Toledo
7-6 (0-1MAC)
1
2
3
4
5
F
Eastern Michigan
17
25
25
14
15
3
TOLEDO
25
19
23
25
12
2
Photo by: Andy Drabic
Eagles Open MAC Play With Five Set Victory at Toledo
9/23/2016 11:47:00 PM | Volleyball
The Green and White knocked off the Rockets in Savage Arena
TOLEDO, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – After finishing up non-conference play, the Eastern Michigan University volleyball team defeated the University of Toledo in five sets on the road today, Sept. 24. The Eagles (6-8, 1-0 MAC) dismantled the Rockets (7-6, 0-1 MAC), 17-25, 25-19, 25-23, 14-25, 15-12, to open up Mid-American Conference action.
Junior Samantha Falco (Antioch, Ill.-Antioch Community) led the EMU offense with 11 kills, while connecting at a .500 clip. Sophomore Jordan Smith (Solon, Iowa-Solon) added a double-double with 10 kills and 11 digs, while freshman Riley Taylor (Indianapolis, Ind.-Perry Meridian) posted 26 assists and 11 digs as well. Additionally on the offensive end, senior Devon Murray (Shelby, Ohio-Shelby) and junior Kelly Ferguson (Lemont, Ill.-Lemont (Austin Peay)) each contributed eight kills, while freshman Rachel Irbe (Greenfield, Ind.-Greenfield Central) added seven of her own. Defensively, Falco led the squad with four blocks, three assists and a solo, while freshman Camille Schomer (Rochester, Mich.-Oakland Christian) led the team in digs with 15.
Eastern's offense struggled in the opening frame, hitting at a -.059 attack percentage, while the Rockets managed to connect at a .226 hitting percentage. EMU's attacking woes led to a 25-17 setback in the first set, but the Green and White did not fade after one.
The Eagles' offense and defense improved in set two as Falco, Ferguson, and Murray each tallied three kills, helping the Eastern Michigan offense to a .143 attack percentage. In addition, the Green and White's defense was strong, forcing Toledo to hit at a -.061 clip. Eastern used their offensive strength to pick up a 25-19 victory in the set to tie up the match at one set apiece.
The Green and White continued to improve offensively in set three, posting a .225 attack percentage with Irbe leading the way with four kills, while Falco and Smith each notched three kills. Defensively, EMU grabbed a trio of blocks, leading to a 25-23 set win to take a 2-1 lead following the break.
In set four, the Green and White saw Toledo's offense hit at a .391 percentage and cruise to a 25-14 set victory to even things up and force a fifth set at Savage Arena.
The Eagles had their best offensive performance in the final set of the match, hitting .238 with Falco leading the charge. Falco grabbed four more kills, as the Green and White took home a 15-12 victory, sealing a win in the MAC opener.
Eastern returns to the hardwood Saturday night, Sept. 24, when it squares off with Ball State in Muncie, Ind. The match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. from Worthen Arena and can be watched lived on ESPN 3 or the WatchESPN app.
Junior Samantha Falco (Antioch, Ill.-Antioch Community) led the EMU offense with 11 kills, while connecting at a .500 clip. Sophomore Jordan Smith (Solon, Iowa-Solon) added a double-double with 10 kills and 11 digs, while freshman Riley Taylor (Indianapolis, Ind.-Perry Meridian) posted 26 assists and 11 digs as well. Additionally on the offensive end, senior Devon Murray (Shelby, Ohio-Shelby) and junior Kelly Ferguson (Lemont, Ill.-Lemont (Austin Peay)) each contributed eight kills, while freshman Rachel Irbe (Greenfield, Ind.-Greenfield Central) added seven of her own. Defensively, Falco led the squad with four blocks, three assists and a solo, while freshman Camille Schomer (Rochester, Mich.-Oakland Christian) led the team in digs with 15.
Eastern's offense struggled in the opening frame, hitting at a -.059 attack percentage, while the Rockets managed to connect at a .226 hitting percentage. EMU's attacking woes led to a 25-17 setback in the first set, but the Green and White did not fade after one.
The Eagles' offense and defense improved in set two as Falco, Ferguson, and Murray each tallied three kills, helping the Eastern Michigan offense to a .143 attack percentage. In addition, the Green and White's defense was strong, forcing Toledo to hit at a -.061 clip. Eastern used their offensive strength to pick up a 25-19 victory in the set to tie up the match at one set apiece.
The Green and White continued to improve offensively in set three, posting a .225 attack percentage with Irbe leading the way with four kills, while Falco and Smith each notched three kills. Defensively, EMU grabbed a trio of blocks, leading to a 25-23 set win to take a 2-1 lead following the break.
In set four, the Green and White saw Toledo's offense hit at a .391 percentage and cruise to a 25-14 set victory to even things up and force a fifth set at Savage Arena.
The Eagles had their best offensive performance in the final set of the match, hitting .238 with Falco leading the charge. Falco grabbed four more kills, as the Green and White took home a 15-12 victory, sealing a win in the MAC opener.
Eastern returns to the hardwood Saturday night, Sept. 24, when it squares off with Ball State in Muncie, Ind. The match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. from Worthen Arena and can be watched lived on ESPN 3 or the WatchESPN app.
Team Stats
EMU
TOLEDO
Kills
48
50
Errors
31
31
Attempts
165
151
Hitting %
.103
.126
Points
63.0
64.0
Assists
47
48
Aces
5
7
Blocks
10.0
7.0
Game Leaders
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
10
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Players Mentioned
MB
/ VolleyballMB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ VolleyballRS/MB
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
S
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