Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, February 12
DeKalb, Ill.
4 p.m. CT
Eastern Michigan University
1-3,1-3MAC
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Northern Illinois
2-6,2-6MAC
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Eastern Mich.
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Northern Ill.
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Photo by: Steven King/Steve King Studios
Heartbreak at Northern Illinois as Volleyball Falls 3-1
2/12/2021 7:50:00 PM | Volleyball
Jayden Otto sets new four-set record with a career-high 58 assists
DEKALB, Ill. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team battled through four sets, but ultimately dropped a Mid-American Conference affair at Northern Illinois University, 3-1 (22-25, 26-28, 31-29, 24-26) tonight, Feb. 12, inside NIU's Convocation Center.
The Eagles now hold a 1-3 overall record (1-3 MAC), while the Huskies improve to 2-6 (2-6 MAC). The back-and-forth match consisted of 14 lead changes and 41 ties.
Despite the setback, sophomore Jayden Otto (Crystal Lake, Ill.-Prairie Ridge) broke an EMU four-set record with a career-high 58 assists for the modern statistical era (2008-present). The previous record was held by Kim Hildreth and Mallory Rajewski, who both tallied 56 assists. Hildreth etched her name in the record book at Ball State, Oct. 6, 2012, then Rajewski tied the mark at Northern Illinois, Nov. 10, 2018. Otto's 58 assists ties for the second most in the conference this season.
Three Eagles recorded double-digit kill performances and was led by senior Franki Strefling (Niles, Mich.-Buchanan) who notched 19 kills. Sophomore Alayna Jansky (Mukwonago, Wis.-Mukwonago) and senior April Houston (Minneapolis, Minn.-Southwest) added 15 and 13, respectively.
Defensively, the Green and White was paced by Jansky with a career-high 19 digs, while freshman Bella Hommes (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Forest Hills Northern) also tallied 19 digs. Strefling, junior Mackenzie Garis (Crystal Lake, Ill.-Prairie Ridge), and Otto recorded 17, 12, and 10 digs, respectively. Junior Abbey Kearney (Las Vegas, Nev.-Palisades Charter) notched a team-high 3.5 total blocks (1-5) to go along with seven kills.
Eastern Michigan held the advantage in service aces (6-1), block solos (1-0), and digs (84-75). The Huskies posted the competitive edge in kills (70-66), hitting percentage (.254-.227), block assists (18-14), and total blocks (9.0-8.0). EMU and NIU were tied in two categories: points (80-80) and assists (61-61).
Northern Illinois started the first set strong, going on a 5-1 run to start the match. Over the next few possessions, NIU sustained its lead until the Eagles went on a 4-1 scoring stint to pull within two, 12-10. The Huskies sparked momentum and led by five, 20-15. However, the Eagles responded with a 5-1 run to cut NIU's lead to one, 21-20. But, NIU stayed ahead to take the first set, 25-22.
Down one set, Eastern Michigan posted a 5-0 scoring stint to begin the second set. The Green and White's offensive spark continued, as EMU sustained the lead throughout most of the set, 19-14. Northern Illinois answered with five-straight points to tie it up at 19 apiece. The scoring went back-and-forth with NIU completing the comeback with a 28-26 set victory.
The Eagles began the third set with a 4-2 lead highlighted by two kills and a service ace from Houston. The back-and-forth affair continued with 10 ties, before EMU took the two-point lead, 15-13, at the media timeout. The Green and White was the first team to 20, but the Huskies did not let up. The rest of the set highlighted seven ties, until the two big blocks from EMU sealed the 31-29 set victory to keep EMU alive in the match.
Trailing 2-1 in the match, the Green and White started the fourth set strong with a 13-6 lead, showcased by four Jansky kills. Northern Illinois answered with a spark of their own pulling within two, 16-14. Back-to-back Jansky kills extended EMU's lead to four, 18-14. However, NIU responded with three-straight points to make it a one-point set, 18-17, forcing an EMU timeout. The rally between both teams continued, but Northern Illinois came out on top, claiming the fourth set victory, 26-24. The Huskies won the match, 3-1.
Eastern Michigan continues its five-game road stint, when the Eagles visit Kent State University Monday, Feb. 15. The match is slated for 5 p.m. inside KSU's Development Center.
For more information on Eastern Michigan volleyball, follow the team's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/EMUVolleyball, on Facebook at Facebook.com/EMUVB, or on Instagram at Instagram.com/emu_volleyball.
The Eagles now hold a 1-3 overall record (1-3 MAC), while the Huskies improve to 2-6 (2-6 MAC). The back-and-forth match consisted of 14 lead changes and 41 ties.
Despite the setback, sophomore Jayden Otto (Crystal Lake, Ill.-Prairie Ridge) broke an EMU four-set record with a career-high 58 assists for the modern statistical era (2008-present). The previous record was held by Kim Hildreth and Mallory Rajewski, who both tallied 56 assists. Hildreth etched her name in the record book at Ball State, Oct. 6, 2012, then Rajewski tied the mark at Northern Illinois, Nov. 10, 2018. Otto's 58 assists ties for the second most in the conference this season.
Three Eagles recorded double-digit kill performances and was led by senior Franki Strefling (Niles, Mich.-Buchanan) who notched 19 kills. Sophomore Alayna Jansky (Mukwonago, Wis.-Mukwonago) and senior April Houston (Minneapolis, Minn.-Southwest) added 15 and 13, respectively.
Defensively, the Green and White was paced by Jansky with a career-high 19 digs, while freshman Bella Hommes (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Forest Hills Northern) also tallied 19 digs. Strefling, junior Mackenzie Garis (Crystal Lake, Ill.-Prairie Ridge), and Otto recorded 17, 12, and 10 digs, respectively. Junior Abbey Kearney (Las Vegas, Nev.-Palisades Charter) notched a team-high 3.5 total blocks (1-5) to go along with seven kills.
Eastern Michigan held the advantage in service aces (6-1), block solos (1-0), and digs (84-75). The Huskies posted the competitive edge in kills (70-66), hitting percentage (.254-.227), block assists (18-14), and total blocks (9.0-8.0). EMU and NIU were tied in two categories: points (80-80) and assists (61-61).
Northern Illinois started the first set strong, going on a 5-1 run to start the match. Over the next few possessions, NIU sustained its lead until the Eagles went on a 4-1 scoring stint to pull within two, 12-10. The Huskies sparked momentum and led by five, 20-15. However, the Eagles responded with a 5-1 run to cut NIU's lead to one, 21-20. But, NIU stayed ahead to take the first set, 25-22.
Down one set, Eastern Michigan posted a 5-0 scoring stint to begin the second set. The Green and White's offensive spark continued, as EMU sustained the lead throughout most of the set, 19-14. Northern Illinois answered with five-straight points to tie it up at 19 apiece. The scoring went back-and-forth with NIU completing the comeback with a 28-26 set victory.
The Eagles began the third set with a 4-2 lead highlighted by two kills and a service ace from Houston. The back-and-forth affair continued with 10 ties, before EMU took the two-point lead, 15-13, at the media timeout. The Green and White was the first team to 20, but the Huskies did not let up. The rest of the set highlighted seven ties, until the two big blocks from EMU sealed the 31-29 set victory to keep EMU alive in the match.
Trailing 2-1 in the match, the Green and White started the fourth set strong with a 13-6 lead, showcased by four Jansky kills. Northern Illinois answered with a spark of their own pulling within two, 16-14. Back-to-back Jansky kills extended EMU's lead to four, 18-14. However, NIU responded with three-straight points to make it a one-point set, 18-17, forcing an EMU timeout. The rally between both teams continued, but Northern Illinois came out on top, claiming the fourth set victory, 26-24. The Huskies won the match, 3-1.
Eastern Michigan continues its five-game road stint, when the Eagles visit Kent State University Monday, Feb. 15. The match is slated for 5 p.m. inside KSU's Development Center.
For more information on Eastern Michigan volleyball, follow the team's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/EMUVolleyball, on Facebook at Facebook.com/EMUVB, or on Instagram at Instagram.com/emu_volleyball.
Team Stats
EMU
NIU
Kills
66
70
Errors
25
22
Attempts
181
189
Hitting %
.227
.254
Points
80
80
Assists
61
61
Aces
6
1
Blocks
8
9
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
19
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
15
Aces
2
Blocks
2
Kills
13
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
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/ Volleyball
DS
/ VolleyballMB
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
MB
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/ VolleyballOH
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