Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, March 5
Convocation Center
6 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
5-5,5-5MAC
3
vs
0
Toledo
2-7,2-7MAC
1
2
3
F
Toledo
22
13
19
0
Eastern Mich.
25
25
25
3
Volleyball Dismantles Toledo in Sweeping Fashion
3/5/2021 7:44:00 PM | Volleyball
EMU secured its first 3-0 win of 2021
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team played its most dominant match of the season as it disposed of its Mid-American Conference West Division rival, the University of Toledo, in the form of a three-set sweep (25-22, 25-13, 25-19) tonight, March 5, inside the Convocation Center.
Offensively, it was senior Franki Strefling (Niles, Mich.-Buchanan) that paced Eastern Michigan as she recorded 10 kills to finish off her eighth match with double digits in the category. She added 1.5 blocks on the night, and also picked up six digs and three assists. Strefling was aided by fellow senior April Houston (Minneapolis, Minn.-Southwest) and redshirt sophomore Krista Blakely (Detroit, Mich.-University High School Academy), who both added eight kills of their own. In all, eight Eagles combined for 40 total kills. At the net, it was Houston who dominated the contest as she recorded four blocks (2 solo, 2 assist) to pace any player in the contest.
Eastern's defensive efforts were led by sophomore Kamryn Stilwell (Parma, Ohio-Padua Franciscan), who recorded a team high seven digs. Freshman Bella Hommes (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Forest Hills Northern) and Strefling followed just behind with their six respective digs.
In an opening point that set the tone for the rest of the match, it was EMU that got on the board first in the match, a point which helped propel it to a fast 5-2 lead just moments into the first set. Despite the hot start, the Eagles faced a push of momentum from the visiting Rockets, who went on a 7-0 run to claim a 9-5 lead. Not to be outdone, EMU swung back with its own eight-point shift to reclaim a 13-9 lead, one that this time, it did not relinquish. Although Toledo did get back within one, 18-17, late in the set, its attack was no match for the Green and White, which won seven of the set's final 12 points to win, 25-22, and secure a 1-0 advantage in the match.
Playing with heightened energy after the first-set win, Eastern raced out to another big lead in the second set of action and eventually took a 10-3 lead. That run was sparked by four kills from four different players as EMU successfully displayed its wealth of offensive power. The Eastern defense also upped its game during the second set, as it kept Toledo from attempting any significant comeback in the set. In fact, EMU already had 17 points of its own on the board before UT reached double-digits in the set. That cushion was more than enough for Eastern, who dominated the final stretch of points in the half to cruise to a 25-13 win in the set, and 2-0 lead in the match.
Up 2-0 in the match, Eastern faced an aggressive visiting squad at the start of the third set. Playing with clear urgency, Toledo was able to secure a 3-1 lead in the frame, one that it built to 5-3 in the points after. Undeterred by its opponent's early success, EMU remained poised and continued to out-hit the Rockets. The Eagles, down 5-3, took four of the next five points to take its first lead of the set, 7-6. April Houston picked up two kills in that stretch to fuel the Eagles' run. Rolling with momentum, it was not long before EMU extended its lead to 15-8, and eventually 20-12. The clearly-dominant team in the match, the Eagles needed just 12 more points to finish off the Rockets, 25-19, and secure the match sweep, 3-0.
EMU will be back in action tomorrow, March 6, as it closes its two-game weekend set with Toledo inside the Convocation Center. The match is set to begin at 2 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information on all things EMU volleyball, visit EMUEagles.com and follow the team on social media at @EMUVolleyball.
Offensively, it was senior Franki Strefling (Niles, Mich.-Buchanan) that paced Eastern Michigan as she recorded 10 kills to finish off her eighth match with double digits in the category. She added 1.5 blocks on the night, and also picked up six digs and three assists. Strefling was aided by fellow senior April Houston (Minneapolis, Minn.-Southwest) and redshirt sophomore Krista Blakely (Detroit, Mich.-University High School Academy), who both added eight kills of their own. In all, eight Eagles combined for 40 total kills. At the net, it was Houston who dominated the contest as she recorded four blocks (2 solo, 2 assist) to pace any player in the contest.
Eastern's defensive efforts were led by sophomore Kamryn Stilwell (Parma, Ohio-Padua Franciscan), who recorded a team high seven digs. Freshman Bella Hommes (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Forest Hills Northern) and Strefling followed just behind with their six respective digs.
In an opening point that set the tone for the rest of the match, it was EMU that got on the board first in the match, a point which helped propel it to a fast 5-2 lead just moments into the first set. Despite the hot start, the Eagles faced a push of momentum from the visiting Rockets, who went on a 7-0 run to claim a 9-5 lead. Not to be outdone, EMU swung back with its own eight-point shift to reclaim a 13-9 lead, one that this time, it did not relinquish. Although Toledo did get back within one, 18-17, late in the set, its attack was no match for the Green and White, which won seven of the set's final 12 points to win, 25-22, and secure a 1-0 advantage in the match.
Playing with heightened energy after the first-set win, Eastern raced out to another big lead in the second set of action and eventually took a 10-3 lead. That run was sparked by four kills from four different players as EMU successfully displayed its wealth of offensive power. The Eastern defense also upped its game during the second set, as it kept Toledo from attempting any significant comeback in the set. In fact, EMU already had 17 points of its own on the board before UT reached double-digits in the set. That cushion was more than enough for Eastern, who dominated the final stretch of points in the half to cruise to a 25-13 win in the set, and 2-0 lead in the match.
Up 2-0 in the match, Eastern faced an aggressive visiting squad at the start of the third set. Playing with clear urgency, Toledo was able to secure a 3-1 lead in the frame, one that it built to 5-3 in the points after. Undeterred by its opponent's early success, EMU remained poised and continued to out-hit the Rockets. The Eagles, down 5-3, took four of the next five points to take its first lead of the set, 7-6. April Houston picked up two kills in that stretch to fuel the Eagles' run. Rolling with momentum, it was not long before EMU extended its lead to 15-8, and eventually 20-12. The clearly-dominant team in the match, the Eagles needed just 12 more points to finish off the Rockets, 25-19, and secure the match sweep, 3-0.
EMU will be back in action tomorrow, March 6, as it closes its two-game weekend set with Toledo inside the Convocation Center. The match is set to begin at 2 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information on all things EMU volleyball, visit EMUEagles.com and follow the team on social media at @EMUVolleyball.
Team Stats
UT
EMU
Kills
24
40
Errors
22
20
Attempts
89
95
Hitting %
.022
.211
Points
35
55
Assists
21
34
Aces
2
5
Blocks
9
10
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
6
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Players Mentioned
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