Volleyball Begins Homestand with Central Michigan Tuesday

Volleyball vs. Central Michigan
Dates	Tuesday, March 23 at 6 p.m.
Venue	Ypsilanti, Mich. \| Convocation Center
Preview Info	EMU Notes
Television	ESPN+
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Twitter	@EMUVolleyball \| @EMUAthletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team begins a three-match homestand by hosting in-state rival Central Michigan University Tuesday, March 23. First serve inside the Convocation Center is set for 6 p.m. The match against Chippewas will be the second of a two-match home-and-home series, as the Eagles won the series opener, 3-2, in Mount Pleasant, Mich., March 16.
   Eastern Michigan (7-10, 7-10 MAC) dropped two matches at Miami, losing both 3-1, March 19-20. The Eagles have lost four of the last five contests. Central Michigan (10-9, 10-9 MAC) split the two-match series at Ball State, March 19-20. The Chippewas fell in a tough five-set in the series opener, then bounced back to defeat the Cardinals, 3-1.
   Fans can catch the action on ESPN+ with Ryan Wooley providing play-by-play and Lauren Withrow will serve as the analyst. As always, fans can also follow along on EMUEagles.com/livestats or on Twitter by following @EMUVolleyball.

AMONG THE LEADERS: Eastern Michigan leads the Mid-American Conference averaging 18.6 digs per set, which ranks 13th in the NCAA. The Green and White averages 38.6 attacks per set, good for second in the league and 29th among Division I programs.
   Individually, senior Franki Strefling ranks second in the MAC in both kills per set (4.23), and points per set (4.55). Her 4.23 kills-per-set average also ranks 28th in the nation. Redshirt sophomore Raeven Chase leads the MAC, averaging 1.33 blocks per set, which is good for 28th in the NCAA. Additionally, freshman Bella Hommes is fourth with 5.08 digs per set, while sophomore Jayden Otto is fifth with 10.4 assists per set league play.

MOVING UP IN THE RECORD BOOKS: Senior Franki Strefling has made her way into the Eastern Michigan record books as she ranks eighth with 3,393 career attempts. She passed former EMU volleyball players Becky Baltare (2002-05 - 3,184), Erin Chase (1991-94 - 3,195), and Emily Busch (2001-04 - 3,307). Strefling needs 141 more attempts to move into 7th all-time.
   The senior is also on pace to crack the top-10 in two more categories: career kills and career digs. Strefling currently has 1,078 career kills and 1,223 digs. She needs 124 more kills and 66 more digs to break the top-10.

THREE-STRAIGHT FOR BASHAM: Sophomore Samantha Basham has recorded 10-plus kills in the last three matches (March 16-20). The outside hitter tallied 12 kills in EMU's 3-2 win over Central Michigan, March 16, then notched 11 and 12 at Miami, March 19-20.
   Basham has recorded double-figure kills in seven matches this season and ranks third on the team with 146 total kills (2.2 kps).

ACE OUT: Eastern Michigan posted a season-high 13 service aces against an opponents in a two-match series at Miami, March 19-20. The Eagles tied a season-best seven aces in the series opener against the RedHawks, then tallied six the following day.
   Sophomore Samantha Basham led the Green and White in the first match against MU with three aces, while senior Franki Strefling notched three in the series finale. Basham has led EMU in service aces nine times this season.

DOWN GO THE CHIPS: Eastern Michigan posted its first five-set win of the season with a victory over in-state rival Central Michigan, March 16. The Eagles held the Chippewas to a -.030 attack percentage (9-10-33) in the third set, while EMU posted a .333 clip (14-3-33).
   Senior Franki Strefling led the team with 18 kills, while classmate April Houston and sophomore Samantha Basham added 12 each.

MAKIN' HISTORE: Eastern Michigan marked a new milestone in it's 3-2 win over Central Michigan, March 16. The victory was EMU's 700th win in the program's 44-year history. The Eagles hold a 700-705-16 overall record.
   The 1990 squad holds the program wins record with 30 victories. That team became the first EMU volleyball squad to reach a postseason tournament, when the Green and White played in the Women's Invitational Volleyball Championship. The Green and White later claimed the MAC West Division title in 2005, while the Eagles notched their first Mid-American Conference Tournament title in 2018 to advance to the NCAA Tournament.

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING: Eastern Michigan trailed Central Michigan 2-0 after the first two sets, March 16, but the Eagles were able to complete the comeback with a five-set victory. This was the first match during the 2021 spring season the Eagles recorded the win after losing the first two games. Additionally, it was the first time under Head Coach Darcy Dorton the Green and White posted a comeback after losing 2-0.

ACE, ACE BABY: Sophomore Samantha Basham recorded a career high with four service aces in EMU's five-set win over in-state Central Michigan, March 16. The outside hitter has tallied at least one ace in 10 matches this season and has led the team in the category seven times.
   Basham ranks ninth in the Mid-American Conference, averaging 0.32 aces per set (21 total), and boasts a .871 serving percentage.

APRIL SHOWERS BRING EMU POINTS: Senior April Houston has been a force to be reckoned with over the last two matches. The middle blocker posted back-to-back 10-plus kill performances with 10 at Bowling Green, March 12, and 12 at Central Michigan, March 16. At CMU, Houston also boasted a season-high .423 attack percentage (12-1-26).
   The senior has posted eight-or-more kills in six of the last eight matches, and has posted double-figure kills in five contests this season.
   Houston ranks second on the team in both kills (150) and kills per set (2.34).

ELITE GROUP: Senior Franki Strefling joined an elite group in EMU's 3-0 win over Ohio, March 8. The outside hitter's first kill of the match was the 1,000th of her career. She also surpassed 1,000 career digs in a 3-1 victory at Northern Illinois, Feb. 11. Strefling is the sixth EMU volleyball player to reach both 1,000 digs and kills in her career, and the first since Becky Baltare (2002-05).

WELCOME TO THE CLUB: Senior Franki Strefling reached another milestone in EMU's three-set sweep against Ohio, March 8. Her first kill of the match resulted in the 1,000th of her career. The outside hitter is the 13th EMU volleyball player to accomplish this feat. The Niles, Mich. native currently has 1,078 career kills, and needs 124 more to break the top-10 in program history.
   Strefling leads the Green and White in total kills (275), and ranks second in the Mid-American Conference with a 4.23 kills-per-set average.

BLOCK PARTY: Redshirt sophomore Raeven Chase leads the Mid-American Conference averaging 1.33 blocks per set (66 total). Her 1.33 blocks-per-set average also ranks 28th in the nation. The middle blocker notched a career-high nine blocks (1-8) in a five-set win over Buffalo, Feb. 26. Her nine-block performance ties for fourth in Convocation Center history.
   The Toronto, Ontario native has led the Eagles in blocks 14 times this season. Chase has 145 career blocks (23-122).

KILLS ON KILLS: Eastern Michigan posted 40 kills in its 3-0 win over Ohio, March 8. The 40 kills ties for the most in a three-set match this season. The Eagles also recorded 40 kills in a three-set sweep over Toledo, March 5.
   EMU is undefeated (5-0) this year when tallying more kills than their opponents. Under Head Coach Darcy Dorton, the Green and White are 16-4 when holding the kills advantage.

WINNING EARLY: When taking the first two sets, Eastern Michigan has better luck in the win column. The Eagles are currently 4-0 when they win the first two games of the match. In the Darcy Dorton era (2019-present), the Green and White is 13-0 when claiming the first two sets.

KILLIN' IT: Redshirt freshman Krista Blakely posted a career-high eight kills against Toledo, March 5. Along with her personal-best in kills, Blakely posted a .357 hitting percentage and four blocks. She followed that performance up with another strong outing against the Rockets the following afternoon, adding another seven kills.
   Blakely ranks sixth on the team averaging 1.31 kills per set and is tied for second with 0.85 blocks per set.

FIRST SWEEP: Eastern Michigan notched its first sweep of the 2021 spring season in the series opener against Toledo, March 5. The Eagles tallied 40 kills and boasted a .248 attack percentage (17-6-38) in the third set. EMU held the Rockets to 24 kills, which was a season low for a three-set match.
   Four Eagles posted six-or-more kills and were led by senior Franki Strefling, who recorded 10. Fellow senior April Houston and redshirt freshman Krista Blakely each added eight, while redshirt sophomore Raeven Chase tallied six.

OTTO-MATIC: This season, sophomore Jayden Otto has taken over as the "quarterback" of the Eastern Michigan offense. The setter has tallied 40-plus assists in three-straight matches, and has 50-or-more assists in three contests. Most recently, she tallied 40 dimes in EMU's 3-1 loss at Miami, March 20.
   Otto leads the team averaging 10.4 assists per set, which ranks fifth in the Mid-American Conference.

STREFLING ON FIRE: Senior Franki Strefling has been on fire offensively and defensively over the 17 matches played during the shortened 2020-21 spring season. The outside hitter has recorded 12 double-doubles with her most recent performance (13 kills, 12 digs) at Miami, March 20.
   Strefling tallied a career-high 26 kills versus the Bulls in the series opener, Feb. 25. Her 26-kill outing is tied for seventh in Convocation Center history. The senior has led the Eagles in kills 15 times this year, including four 20-plus kill performances.
   The Niles, Mich. native leads the team in kills (275) and ranks second in digs (264). Strefling's 4.23 kills-per-set average ranks second in the Mid-American Conference.

SCOUTING CENTRAL MICHIGAN: Led by fifth-year Head Coach Mike Gawlik, Central Michigan enters Tuesday's match with a 10-9 Mid-American Conference mark. The Chippewas split a two-match series with Ball State, March 19-20. The Chippewas fell in a tough five-set in the series opener, then bounced back to defeat the Cardinals, 3-1.
   CMU is paced offensively by Savannah Thompson, who has a team-best 289 kills and a 3.71 kills-per-set average, while Anna Erickson follows with a 2.84 kps average. Lisbeth Rosario-Martinex is boasting a team-best .356 attack percentage (149-39-309). Guiding the Chippewa offense is Grace Butler, who is dishing out 5.50 assists per set, while Kamryn Olson is adding 4.95. Defensively, CMU is led by Hannah Warners with 4.26 digs per set, and Kalina Smith is tallying 0.86 blocks per set.
   Central Michigan averages 13.1 kills per set and boasts a .207 attack percentage (1025-399-3031). CMU's opponents are recording 13.0 kills per set and posting a .200 hitting percentage (1012-426-2929). The Chippewas are recording 1.2 service aces per set, while adding 11.9 assists per game. Defensively, Central Michigan is averaging 16.5 digs per set.

ALL-TIME VERSUS CENTRAL MICHIGAN: Tuesday's match will be the 91st meeting between the Eagles and Chippewas in program history. Eastern Michigan trails in the all-time series, 29-61. EMU took the first match of the season series with a 3-2 victory on Mount Pleasant, Mich., March 16.
   The Eagles have won four of the last six meetings, but the Chippewas hold the 6-4 advantage over the last 10 contests.

ALL-TIME VERSUS THE MAC: The Green and White holds a 275-344-1 program mark against Mid-American Conference teams. Eastern has played Western Michigan the most (93 times), while facing Central Michigan 90 times, and Ball State 78 times. Since the 1980 season when EMU started competing in the MAC, EMU has won one MAC Tournament title (2018) and one MAC West title (2005). Under Darcy Dorton, the Eagles hold a 12-20 MAC record.

DOUBLE MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Eastern Michigan posted two MAC West Player of the Week honors, the league announced, March 1. Senior Franki Strefling earned MAC West Offensive Player of the Week, while redshirt sophomore Raeven Chase received the Defensive Player of the Week honor. The award was Strefling's second in her career and a first for Chase.
   Strefling, an outside hitter, tallied 50 kills in two matches against Buffalo, Feb. 25-26, which included a career-high 26 kills in the series-opener against the Bulls. She boasted a .331 hitting percentage (50-11-118) in 10 sets and averaged 3.40 digs per set. The senior paced the Eagles with a career-high 26 kills and a .356 hitting percentage (26-5-59) in a 3-2 loss to UB, Feb. 25. Strefling also contributed 11 digs en route of her fifth double-double of the season. The following day, she continued her momentum by recording 24 kills and 23 digs in a five-set victory against the Bulls.
   Chase, a middle blocker, notched 16 total blocks (1-15) in 10 sets versus Buffalo, Feb. 25-26. The redshirt sophomore tied a then career-best seven blocks (0-7) and added eight kills in the series opener against UB. The following day, Chase tallied a personal-best nine blocks (1-8) and recorded nine kills in EMU's 3-2 win over Buffalo.

CAN YOU DIG IT?: Freshman Bella Hommes continues to prove herself as Eastern Michigan's libero. The freshman notched a career-high 32 digs in EMU's 3-1 loss at Akron, Feb. 18. In the second match against the Zips, Feb. 19, Hommes tallied another 30-plus dig performance, finishing with 31.
   The defensive specialist has recorded double-figure digs in 14 of the last 15 matches, including two matches with 30+. Hommes has led the team in digs 12 times this season and leads the team with 335 digs total, averaging 5.08 dps. Her digs-per-set average ranks fourth in the conference.

1,000-DIG CLUB: Senior Franki Strefling surpassed 1,000 career digs in EMU's 3-1 victory over Northern Illinois, Feb. 11. The outside hitter only needed 13 digs going into the match against the Huskies and ended the evening with a career-high 26 digs. Strefling is the 17th EMU volleyball player to accomplish this feat.
   The Niles, Mich. native has 1,223 career digs and ranks second on the team this season with 264 digs (4.06 dps).

HOUSTON, WE HAVE A (GOOD) PROBLEM: Senior April Houston tied a career-best with 16 kills in a four-set win at Akron, Feb. 19. The middle blocker boasted a .316 hitting percentage (16-4-38) and added two digs to her statline.
   The game against the Zips was the first time Houston has led the team in kills this season. The senior is second on the team with 150 total kills (2.34 kps).

ON THE HORIZON: Eastern Michigan will conclude its three-match homestand and the 2021 spring season with a two-game series with Ball State University starting Friday, March 26. The match is slated for 6 p.m. inside the Convocation Center.

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Players Mentioned

Samantha Basham

Krista Blakely

Raeven Chase

Bella Hommes

April Houston

Jayden Otto

Franki Strefling

Eastern Michigan Athletics