Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, February 26
Convocation Center
4 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
3
vs
2
Buffalo
Volleyball Surges in Late Sets to Defeat Buffalo, 3-2
2/26/2021 7:55:00 PM | Volleyball
EMU needed five sets to pick up its first home match of the season
Photo Gallery | Video Highlights.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University volleyball came from behind in impressive fashion to defeat the University at Buffalo in a five set (25-17, 27-29, 20-25, 25,-12, 15-11), Mid-American Conference thriller tonight, Feb. 26, inside the Convocation Center.
The win propelled Eastern (4-5, 4-5 MAC) to its fourth win of the young campaign, while the loss docks Buffalo (1-11, 1-11 MAC) to 10 games under .500 this season.
Senior Franki Strefling (Niles, Mich.-Buchanan) was strong in both aspects of the game as she finished the match with 24 kills and 23 digs, respectively, to pace all players in both categories. Redshirt sophomore Raeven Chase (Toronto, Ontario-Michael Power St. Joseph Catholic) added nine kills and led all players with nine blocks (one solo, eight assisted). Sophomore Jayden Otto (Crystal Lake, Ill.-Praire Ridge) registered 47 assists on the afternoon.
On the defensive end, freshman Bella Hommes (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Forest Hills Northern) dug out 21 balls, while junior Mackenzie Garis (Crystal Lake, Ill.-Prairie Ridge) and sophomore Kamryn Stilwell (Parma, Ohio-Padua Franciscan) were able to add 12 and 11 digs, respectively.
The Eagles jumped out to a hot start, as they built a 10-4 lead in the first set. The team was able to maintain the hot start and a lead throughout the stanza, winning the first set 25-17.
After losing the first set, the Bulls took charge, scoring first and taking control of the second set. The Eagles never led until the team turned the tide making the score 23-22. From there, the two teams traded points on hard-fought volleys, however, it was the Bulls came out victorious in the second set, 29-27.
In the third set, the Bulls continued to strike with power. Although the Eagles started with a 5-4 edge, Buffalo took over the set, taking the lead and never looking back. The Bulls finished third set off, 25-20.
Down two sets to one, the Eagles launched out to a 3-0 start in the fourth set, and completely changed the momentum. EMU soared from there as it never relinquished the advantage in the set. Redshirt freshman Krista Blakely (Detroit, Mich.-University High School Academy) added energy to the squad with two kills off the bench. The Green and White won the fourth set convincingly, 25-12.
UB started the final set hot with as they jumped out to a 5-2 lead. Undeterred, Eastern fought its way back into the game and took a 13-9 lead after a 4-0 run. The Eagles built upon that momentum and won the set, 15-11, to capture the match 3-2.
Next up for Eastern, the Eagles will host the University of Toledo Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6 inside the Convocation Center. Action will begin 6 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.
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.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University volleyball came from behind in impressive fashion to defeat the University at Buffalo in a five set (25-17, 27-29, 20-25, 25,-12, 15-11), Mid-American Conference thriller tonight, Feb. 26, inside the Convocation Center.
The win propelled Eastern (4-5, 4-5 MAC) to its fourth win of the young campaign, while the loss docks Buffalo (1-11, 1-11 MAC) to 10 games under .500 this season.
Senior Franki Strefling (Niles, Mich.-Buchanan) was strong in both aspects of the game as she finished the match with 24 kills and 23 digs, respectively, to pace all players in both categories. Redshirt sophomore Raeven Chase (Toronto, Ontario-Michael Power St. Joseph Catholic) added nine kills and led all players with nine blocks (one solo, eight assisted). Sophomore Jayden Otto (Crystal Lake, Ill.-Praire Ridge) registered 47 assists on the afternoon.
On the defensive end, freshman Bella Hommes (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Forest Hills Northern) dug out 21 balls, while junior Mackenzie Garis (Crystal Lake, Ill.-Prairie Ridge) and sophomore Kamryn Stilwell (Parma, Ohio-Padua Franciscan) were able to add 12 and 11 digs, respectively.
The Eagles jumped out to a hot start, as they built a 10-4 lead in the first set. The team was able to maintain the hot start and a lead throughout the stanza, winning the first set 25-17.
After losing the first set, the Bulls took charge, scoring first and taking control of the second set. The Eagles never led until the team turned the tide making the score 23-22. From there, the two teams traded points on hard-fought volleys, however, it was the Bulls came out victorious in the second set, 29-27.
In the third set, the Bulls continued to strike with power. Although the Eagles started with a 5-4 edge, Buffalo took over the set, taking the lead and never looking back. The Bulls finished third set off, 25-20.
Down two sets to one, the Eagles launched out to a 3-0 start in the fourth set, and completely changed the momentum. EMU soared from there as it never relinquished the advantage in the set. Redshirt freshman Krista Blakely (Detroit, Mich.-University High School Academy) added energy to the squad with two kills off the bench. The Green and White won the fourth set convincingly, 25-12.
UB started the final set hot with as they jumped out to a 5-2 lead. Undeterred, Eastern fought its way back into the game and took a 13-9 lead after a 4-0 run. The Eagles built upon that momentum and won the set, 15-11, to capture the match 3-2.
Next up for Eastern, the Eagles will host the University of Toledo Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6 inside the Convocation Center. Action will begin 6 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.
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.
Players Mentioned
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