Eastern Falls in Four at Purdue Fort Wayne

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team traveled south for a mid-week matchup with Purdue University at Fort Wayne, Tuesday, Sept. 4, and was never able to find its footing against the Mastodons, falling 3-1 at Arnie Ball Court.

After struggling out of the gate, Eastern played tough with Purdue Fort Wayne in the final two sets, ultimately falling 20-25, 20-25, 26-24, and 25-23.

Three Eagles found double-figure kills in the match, as senior Jordan Smith (Solon, Iowa-Solon) led the way with 15. Sophomore Franki Strefling (Niles, Mich.-Buchanan) had 11 and junior Ariel Hamby (Oak Park, Ill.-Oak Park River Forest) added 10 on .409 hitting.

Both Mallory Rajewski (Midland, Mich.-Midland) and Riley Taylor (Indianapolis, Ind.-Perry Meridian) registered double-doubles, as Rajewski had 29 assists and 16 digs, and Taylor added 17 assists and 11 digs. Senior Alyssa LaFace (Allen Park, Mich.-Allen Park) led all players with 22 digs.

Purdue Fort Wayne was able to keep the Eastern attack at bay in the early going and finished with a slight advantage in attack percentage, .215 to .210. The Eagles out-blocked the Mastodons, 10.5 to 3, and the teams finished even in digs, 78 to 78.

Eastern returns to early-season tournament play at the William and Mary Colonial Classic, Sept. 7-8 in Williamsburg, Va. The Eagles will take on Norfolk State University, Savannah State University, and William and Mary College.

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Team Stats

Jordan Smith

Franki Strefling

Ariel Hamby

April Houston

Players Mentioned

Ariel Hamby

Alyssa LaFace

Mallory Rajewski

Jordan Smith

Franki Strefling

Riley Taylor

Players Mentioned

Ariel Hamby

Alyssa LaFace

Mallory Rajewski

Jordan Smith

Franki Strefling

Riley Taylor

Eastern Michigan Athletics