Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, February 5
Convocation Center
6 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
0-2,0-2MAC
1
vs
3
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Western Michigan
4-2,4-2MAC
1
2
3
4
F
Western Mich.
25
22
25
25
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Eastern Mich.
16
25
16
23
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Photo by: Steven King/Steve King Studios
Volleyball Drops MAC Affair to Western Michigan
2/5/2021 8:08:00 PM | Volleyball
Four Eagles recorded double-digit dig performances
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team was unable to hang on as the Eagles fell to in-state rival Western Michigan, 3-1, tonight, Feb. 5, inside the Convocation Center. EMU (0-2, 0-2 MAC) posted a .203 attack percentage (55-19-177), but couldn't contain WMU's .292 attack clip (65-15-171).
Two Eagles posted double-digit kill performances, paced by senior Franki Strefling (Niles, Mich.-Buchanan) with 19 kills. Sophomore Samantha Basham (Granville, Ohio-Newark Catholic) also tallied double-figures with a career-high 14 kills, and notched seven digs. Classmate Jayden Otto (Crystal Lake, Ill.-Prairie Ridge) collected a personal-best 43 assists and tallied 15 digs, while freshman Bella Hommes (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Forest Hills Northern) led the EMU defense with a career-high 20 digs. Sophomore Alayna Jansky (Mukwonago, Wis.-Mukwonago) added 15 digs, while redshirt sophomore Raeven Chase (Toronto, Ont.-Michael Power St. Joseph Catholic) earned three blocks.
The Eagles outpaced the Broncos in blocks (5-4), however, Western held the advantage in every other category: kills (65-55), assists (64-50), service aces (4-3), and digs (86-80).
Western Michigan started the first set on a 9-1 run and continued the momentum throughout the match, not allowing the Eagles to get within four points. The Broncos claimed the first set with a score of 25-16.
Down one set, EMU opened the second with an offensive spark. Down by one, 6-5, The Green and White went on a 5-0 scoring stint to claim a two-point lead, 9-7, with three Strefling kills and an Otto solo block. Despite the small advantage, Western Michigan was able to respond by tying up the set at 10-10. A back-and-forth affair throughout the entire game, the Eagles were able to pull away, taking the set, 25-22.
Tied at one set apiece, Western Michigan elevated its level of play. Despite first points from Eastern, it was unable to outpace the Broncos, who took the next two sets by scores of 25-16, and 25-23, to claim the match, three sets to one.
Eastern will begin a five-game road tilt Thursday, Feb. 11, when the Eagles face MAC West foe Northern Illinois. The match is slated for 7 p.m. ET inside NIU's Convocation Center.
Two Eagles posted double-digit kill performances, paced by senior Franki Strefling (Niles, Mich.-Buchanan) with 19 kills. Sophomore Samantha Basham (Granville, Ohio-Newark Catholic) also tallied double-figures with a career-high 14 kills, and notched seven digs. Classmate Jayden Otto (Crystal Lake, Ill.-Prairie Ridge) collected a personal-best 43 assists and tallied 15 digs, while freshman Bella Hommes (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Forest Hills Northern) led the EMU defense with a career-high 20 digs. Sophomore Alayna Jansky (Mukwonago, Wis.-Mukwonago) added 15 digs, while redshirt sophomore Raeven Chase (Toronto, Ont.-Michael Power St. Joseph Catholic) earned three blocks.
The Eagles outpaced the Broncos in blocks (5-4), however, Western held the advantage in every other category: kills (65-55), assists (64-50), service aces (4-3), and digs (86-80).
Western Michigan started the first set on a 9-1 run and continued the momentum throughout the match, not allowing the Eagles to get within four points. The Broncos claimed the first set with a score of 25-16.
Down one set, EMU opened the second with an offensive spark. Down by one, 6-5, The Green and White went on a 5-0 scoring stint to claim a two-point lead, 9-7, with three Strefling kills and an Otto solo block. Despite the small advantage, Western Michigan was able to respond by tying up the set at 10-10. A back-and-forth affair throughout the entire game, the Eagles were able to pull away, taking the set, 25-22.
Tied at one set apiece, Western Michigan elevated its level of play. Despite first points from Eastern, it was unable to outpace the Broncos, who took the next two sets by scores of 25-16, and 25-23, to claim the match, three sets to one.
Eastern will begin a five-game road tilt Thursday, Feb. 11, when the Eagles face MAC West foe Northern Illinois. The match is slated for 7 p.m. ET inside NIU's Convocation Center.
Team Stats
WMU
EMU
Kills
65
55
Errors
15
19
Attempts
171
177
Hitting %
.292
.203
Points
73
63
Assists
64
50
Aces
4
3
Blocks
4
5
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
19
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
14
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
5
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
OH/RS
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
DS
/ Volleyball
OH
/ VolleyballS
/ VolleyballOH
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