Eastern Michigan Athletics
Blakely and Stilwell Earn Volleyball Scholarships
8/25/2021 1:50:00 PM | Volleyball
Blakely ranked third on the team with 33 blocks last season, while Stilwell finished with 70 digs
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Hard work and dedication has paid off for two Eastern Michigan University volleyball student-athletes. Redshirt freshman Krista Blakely (Detroit, Mich.-University High School Academy) and sophomore Kamryn Stilwell (Parma, Ohio-Padua Franciscan) have each earned a scholarship, Head Coach Darcy Dorton announced Tuesday, Aug. 24.
"It is a humbling honor to be able to put both Kamryn and Krista on scholarship this year," Dorton said. "Both of these young women have made great contributions to the program over the last few years. Not only are they great volleyball players, but they have been great inspirations to their teammates on how hard work on and off the court pays off."
Blakely appeared in 12 matches in her first season donning the Green and White last year. She averaged 1.19 kills and 0.87 blocks per set for the Eagles. The Detroit native recorded her first career kill, dig, and block against in-state rival Western Michigan, Feb. 4. Additionally, Blakely collected a personal-best eight kills in a three-set sweep over Toledo, March 5. An Academic All-MAC selection, Blakley is a journalism major and received a redshirt after sitting out her first season in Ypsilanti.
"It feels really good to know that the hard work I've put into this program has paid off," Blakely added. "This is only the beginning. I'm going to continue to do my best to contribute to my team and leave a legacy behind here at EMU."
Stilwell has seen action in 36 matches during her career for Eastern Michigan. The sophomore has tallied 142 career digs for a 1.43 digs-per-set average. During the 2021 spring season, the defensive specialist played in 16 matches for the Eagles. She finished the season with 70 total digs (1.56 dps) and three service aces. Stilwell recorded a career-high 13 digs in a 3-0 victory over Ohio, March 8. The Parma, Ohio native earned Academic All-MAC honors last season and is a criminology and criminal justice major.
"I am so grateful for this opportunity and I can't wait to contribute more to the team this season," Stilwell said. "I am looking forward to seeing the success that this team will bring this year."
Eastern Michigan finished the shortened 2021 spring season with an 8-12 overall and Mid-American Conference record. Dorton will begin her third season at the helm of the program.
The Eagles expect normalcy this fall and returns to their traditional schedule format with four non-conference tournaments before the 18-match league schedule. EMU opens the 2021 year with the College of Charleston Invitational Friday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m.
For more information on Eastern Michigan volleyball, follow the team's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/EMUVolleyball, by Facebook at Facebook.com/EMUVB, or on Instagram at Instagram.com/emu_volleyball.
"It is a humbling honor to be able to put both Kamryn and Krista on scholarship this year," Dorton said. "Both of these young women have made great contributions to the program over the last few years. Not only are they great volleyball players, but they have been great inspirations to their teammates on how hard work on and off the court pays off."
Blakely appeared in 12 matches in her first season donning the Green and White last year. She averaged 1.19 kills and 0.87 blocks per set for the Eagles. The Detroit native recorded her first career kill, dig, and block against in-state rival Western Michigan, Feb. 4. Additionally, Blakely collected a personal-best eight kills in a three-set sweep over Toledo, March 5. An Academic All-MAC selection, Blakley is a journalism major and received a redshirt after sitting out her first season in Ypsilanti.
"It feels really good to know that the hard work I've put into this program has paid off," Blakely added. "This is only the beginning. I'm going to continue to do my best to contribute to my team and leave a legacy behind here at EMU."
Stilwell has seen action in 36 matches during her career for Eastern Michigan. The sophomore has tallied 142 career digs for a 1.43 digs-per-set average. During the 2021 spring season, the defensive specialist played in 16 matches for the Eagles. She finished the season with 70 total digs (1.56 dps) and three service aces. Stilwell recorded a career-high 13 digs in a 3-0 victory over Ohio, March 8. The Parma, Ohio native earned Academic All-MAC honors last season and is a criminology and criminal justice major.
"I am so grateful for this opportunity and I can't wait to contribute more to the team this season," Stilwell said. "I am looking forward to seeing the success that this team will bring this year."
Eastern Michigan finished the shortened 2021 spring season with an 8-12 overall and Mid-American Conference record. Dorton will begin her third season at the helm of the program.
The Eagles expect normalcy this fall and returns to their traditional schedule format with four non-conference tournaments before the 18-match league schedule. EMU opens the 2021 year with the College of Charleston Invitational Friday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m.
For more information on Eastern Michigan volleyball, follow the team's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/EMUVolleyball, by Facebook at Facebook.com/EMUVB, or on Instagram at Instagram.com/emu_volleyball.
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