Eagles Fall in Four to Xavier

LOGAN, Utah (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team closed out its time at the Utah State Tournament with a 3-1 loss to Xavier University Saturday, Aug. 31.

Junior Franki Strefling (Niles, Mich.-Buchanan) once again led the way for the Eagles (1-2), registering a double-double with season-high 17 kills and 10 digs. Redshirt senior Cassie Haut (Monroe, Mich.-St. Mary Catholic Central) finished the match with 16 kills and an eye-popping .500 attack percentage, while sophomore Julia Fisher (Kailua, Hawaii-Le Jardin Academy) notched a career-high 12 kills.

After falling easily in the first set, 12-25, the Eagles came back to make the second set closer, but ultimately fell 20-25. The third set turned into the longest set of the 2019 campaign, with Eastern prevailing 31-29. EMU's comeback fell short, however, as Xavier set the Green and White aside, 22-25, in the fourth set.

Senior setter Riley Taylor (Indianapolis, Ind.-Perry Meridian) served as the primary distributor for the Eagles, finishing with 27 assists to go along with 13 digs. Sophomore setter Mackenzie Garis (Crystal Lake, Ill.-Prairie Ridge) set a new career-high with 18 assists and added seven digs.

Overall, the Musketeers outhit the Eagles .333 to .238, while EMU out-blocked XU, eight to seven.

Eastern jumps one time zone closer in its second week of action for 2019, participating in the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic, hosted by the University of Louisiana. The Eagles kick off the event Friday, Sep. 6 at 11 a.m. CT by taking on Florida A&M, and wrap the day with a bout against the tournament host Ragin' Cajuns at 6:30 p.m. EMU's trip to the Bayou State finishes with a 10 a.m. CT showdown with fellow 2018 NCAA Tournament participant McNeese State.

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Team Stats

Franki Strefling

Cassie Haut

Julia Fisher

Samantha Basham

Players Mentioned

Julia Fisher

Mackenzie Garis

Cassie Haut

Franki Strefling

Riley Taylor

Eastern Michigan Athletics