Volleyball Closes Non-Conference Slate with the Michigan Challenge

Volleyball at Michigan Challenge
Date	Friday, Sept. 17 at 12 p.m. & 5 p.m. \| Saturday, Sept. 18 at 1 p.m.
Venue	Cliff Keen Arena - Ann Arbor, Mich. \| Convocation Center - Ypsilanti, Mich.
Preview Info	EMU Notes
Match Sponsor	Meijer - vs. Boston College
Digital Program	vs. Boston College
Watch	BTN+ at Michigan (subscription required) \| Eagle All-Access vs. Boston College
Live Stats	Live Stats
Twitter	@EMUVolleyball \| @EMUAthletics
Mask Policy	Masks are required inside the Convocation Center regardless of vaccination status

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team will close its non-conference slate with the Michigan Challenge, Sept. 17-18, hosted by the University of Michigan.
   The Eagles will open the tournament with Big Ten opponent Michigan Friday, Sept. 17, at 12 p.m. at the Cliff Keen Arena, before taking on the University of Dayton at 5 p.m. Eastern will finish the weekend by hosting Boston College Saturday, Sept. 18, at 1 p.m. inside the Convocation Center. The match between EMU and BC is sponsored by Meijer and is Youth/Family Day.
   Fans can catch the match against the Wolverines on BTN+, and the contest against the BC will be available on Eagle All-Access. The match against Dayton will not be televised, but all three matches will be available via live stats at EMUEagles.com/livestats. As always, fans can follow along on EMUEagles.com or on Twitter by following @EMUVolleyball.

AMONG THE LEADERS: Eastern Michigan ranks third in the Mid-American Conference averaging 1.7 service aces per set, behind Toledo's 1.9 and Northern Illinois' 1.80. The Eagles' 1.7 aces-per-set average is good for 94th in the NCAA.
   Individually, redshirt sophomore Raeven Chase leads the conference averaging 1.1 blocks per set. Additionally, the middle blocker ranks sixth with a .338 hitting percentage (72-20-154). Freshman Madeline Timmerman is second in the MAC with 0.50 aces per set, which is good for 46th among Division I volleyball student-athletes. Furthermore, sophomore Jayden Otto averages 10.0 assists per set, which ranks third in the MAC, while classmate Kamryn Stilwell is seventh in digs (4.0 dps).

BASHAM BREAKING THROUGH: Sophomore Samantha Basham posted a strong performance at the UIC Invitational, Sept. 10-11. The outside hitter led the Eagles in back-to-back matches with a season-high 14 kills against both UIC, Sept. 10, and Belmont, Sept. 11. Additionally, the Granville, Ohio native notched a season-best .600 hitting percentage (14-2-20) against the Bruins.
   Basham leads the Eagles averaging 2.73 kills per set (71 total) and has led EMU in kills three times this season.

CHASE ADDING A SPARK: Redshirt sophomore Raeven Chase posted three straight matches with 10-plus kills in the UIC Invitational, Sept. 10-11. Over the three contests, Chase tallied 31 total kills and boasted a team-high .482 hitting percentage (31-4-56). Additionally, the middle blocker recorded 11 total blocks.
   Chase opened the tournament with a team-best 10 kills with a .421 hitting percentage (10-2-19) and three blocks (2-1) in a three-set loss to Chicago State, Sept. 10. Then, she posted another 10-kill performance in a 3-1 win over the host UIC, Sept. 10. Additionally, the middle blocker boasted a .348% clip (10-2-23) and added four blocks (2-2). The Toronto, Ontario native finished the weekend strong with 11 kills, four blocks (1-3), two digs, and a season-high in hitting percentage at .786 (11-0-14).
   The redshirt sophomore leads the Mid-American Conference averaging 1.07 blocks per set and ranks third on the team averaging 2.57 kills per set (72 total).

BLOCK PARTY: Redshirt sophomore Raeven Chase continues to be a strong force at the net for Eastern Michigan. She leads the team with 30 total blocks (9-21) for a 1.1 blocks-per-set average. That average leads the Mid-American Conference.
   Chase posted a season-high six blocks (1-5) in a 3-1 loss to Indiana State, Aug. 28. Additionally, she has led the team in blocks in six matches this season.
   The middle blocker has tallied 199 career blocks (35-164). She needs 16 more block solos and 90 block assists to break into the top-10 of the EMU record book.

OTTO-MATIC: Quarterbacking the EMU offense again this season is sophomore Jayden Otto. The sophomore tallied 41 assists in a three-set sweep over Belmont, Sept. 11. Her 41-assist performance is tied for fifth in program history for a three-set match in the modern statistical era (since 2008).
   Otto averages 10.0 assists per set, which is good for third in the Mid-American Conference. She has led the Eagles in assists every match so far this season and needs 706 more assists to break into the top-10 of the EMU record books.

CAN YOU DIG IT?: Sophomore Kamryn Stilwell started the 2021 campaign as Eastern's primary libero in the first eight matches of the season. The defensive specialist has tallied a team-high 113 digs with a 4.0 digs-per-set average. Her digs-per-set average ranks seventh in the Mid-American Conference.
   Stilwell has recorded double-figure digs in six of the last seven matches, with her most recent performance with 12 versus Belmont, Sept. 11.

BIG HITTING: Eastern Michigan tallied a three-set season-high in kills with 48 kills against Belmont, Sept. 11. Additionally, the Eagles boasted a season-best .352 hitting percentage (48-11-105) against the Bruins.
   The last time EMU hit .350-or-above was against Akron, Oct. 20, 2018, when the Green and White recorded a .354% clip (45-10-99). In that match against the Zips, Eastern totaled 45 kills for a 3-0 win.
   The 1983 squad holds the EMU program record with a .641% clip against Ferris State, Sept. 10, 1983.

ACE, ACE BABY: Eastern Michigan has tallied 47 service aces this season. The 47 aces equals to 58.0% of EMU's total from last spring when the Eagles tallied 81.
   The Green and White average 1.7 aces per set, which ranks third in the Mid-American Conference. EMU recorded a season-high 10 aces in a 3-2 win over Montana, Aug. 28.
   Leading the Eagles in aces is freshman Madeline Timmerman, who has 14 total aces. She ranks second in the MAC with a 0.50 aces-per-set average. Additionally, sophomore Jayden Otto and freshman Annie Lockett have recorded nine each, respectively.

A-C-E! ACE!: Freshman Madeline Timmerman ranks second in the Mid-American Conference with a 0.50 aces-per-set average, which is also good for 46th in the NCAA. The Crystal Lake, Ill. native led the team with five aces in two matches at the Golden Grizzlies Invitational, Sept. 4-5. The middle blocker tied a career-high three aces at Oakland, Sept. 5.
   Timmerman leads EMU with 14 total aces and has led the Eagles in the category four times this season.

LOCKED IN: Annie Lockett continues to start her Eastern Michigan career with a spark. The freshman has recorded four matches with 10-or-more kills.
   Lockett ranked third on the team with 23 total kills (2.30 kps) in three matches at the UIC Invitational, Sept. 10-11. The outside hitter posted a weekend-best 12 kills in a 3-1 win over tournament host UIC, Sept. 10.
   The freshman posted a career-high 17 kills against Montana, Aug. 28, in her first weekend donning the Green and White.
   The Mason, Ohio native leads the team with 73 total kills on the season (2.61 kps) and has led the Eagles in the category three times this season.

SCOUTING MICHIGAN: Led by 23rd-year Head Coach Mark Rosen, Michigan enters the weekend with a 4-2 overall record. Most recently, the Wolverines dropped a 3-2 decision to North Carolina, Sept. 12, in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
   Michigan ranks third in the Big Ten Conference in aces per set with 1.92. The Wolverines average 12.7 kills per set, holding their opponents to 10.1 kps. Additionally, U-M is boasting a .244 hitting percentage (305-113-787), while keeping opponents to a .143% clip (243-133-771). Defensively, the Maize and Blue are recording 2.9 blocks and 14.0 digs per set.
   Leading Michigan is Paige Jones, who is averaging 3.95 kills per set (83 total) and 4.40 points per set. Her 3.95 kills-per-set average ranks third in the Big Ten and 51st in the NCAA. Jones is aided by Jess Mruzik, who is tallying 3.25 kills per set. Setting up the Wolverine offense is Scottee Johnson, who averages 9.58 assists per set. Hannah Grant leads U-M on the defensive side posting 4.33 digs per set, while Jess Robinson is adding 1.33 blocks per set.

LAST TIME VERSUS THE WOLVERINES: Eastern Michigan was unable to keep pace with the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) No. 24-ranked University of Michigan, as the Eagles fell 3-0 (22-25, 18-25, 19-25) to the Wolverines, Sept. 15, 2019.
   EMU (3-5) finished the match with eight blocks to U-M's (6-2) four, but the Wolverines held the advantage in attack percentage (.283 to .157), total assists (48 to 29), and total digs (51 to 39) on the evening.
   Eastern's well-balanced offensive attack was led by its pin hitters, as former Eagles, Franki Strefling, and Alayna Jansky each finished the match with seven kills. Cassie Haut registered six kills and had two solo blocks, while then-redshirt freshman Raeven Chase had a career day, registering six kills and four total blocks, both personal bests. Ariel Hamby set a new season-high with six total blocks, registering one solo and five block assists.

ALL-TIME VERSUS MICHIGAN: Friday's match will be the 44th meeting between the Eagles and Wolverines. U-M holds the 33-10 advantage in the all-time series, which dates back to 1976.
   The last time Eastern Michigan defeated Michigan was in a 3-1 decision inside Bowen Fieldhouse, Sept. 7, 1994. Additionally, EMU topped U-M in Ann Arbor, Mich. in 1988, when the Green and White won in five sets, Sept. 13.

ALL-TIME VERSUS THE BIG TEN: Eastern Michigan holds a 24-70 all-time record against Big Ten Conference teams. EMU holds a winning record against Rutgers (1-0).

CLOSE CONNECTIONS: Eastern Michigan has close ties to the University of Michigan as current Assistant Coach Ashlie Reasor came to Ypsilanti after a year stint with the Wolverines as a volunteer assistant last season. Additionally, former Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations Kyler Ludlow is in his second year with U-M after a three-year stint under Greg Steiner, Associate AD for Athletic Media Relations.

SCOUTING DAYTON: Led by 13th-year Head Coach Tim Horsman, Dayton comes into the weekend with a 4-4 overall record. The Flyers are on a two-match win streak after topping Central Michigan, 3-0, Sept. 11.
   Dayton averages 11.8 kills per set with a .179 hitting percentage (341-166-979) while holding their opponents to an A10-best .181% clip (340-168-949). The Flyers also lead the conference in blocks per set with 2.59, which is good for 39th in the NCAA.
   UD is led by Jamie Peterson and Lexie Almodovar, who are averaging 3.79 and 3.07 kills per set, respectively. Additionally, Peterson ranks second in the league with 4.45 points per set. Orchestrating the Flyer offense is Livie Sandt, who is recording 7.69 assists per set. Defensively, Amelia Moore leads the A10 averaging 1.41 blocks per set, which is good for 26th in the nation. Furthermore, Maura Collins ranks first on the team with 4.03 digs per set.

LAST TIME VERSUS THE FLYERS: Eastern Michigan last saw Dayton during the 2015 season, when EMU fell 3-0 (11-25, 20-25, 19-25) to the Flyers, Sept. 19.
   Kelsey Jones led the Eagles hitting at a .462 clip with six kills in the loss. Stacey Perinar paced the squad with 12 kills, while Jordan Smith added seven of her own. Corynne Smith was solid defensively recording 16 digs in three sets, while Cassie Haut posted a solo block along with two block assists. EMU hit at just a .139 attack percentage, while the Flyers owned the net, striking at a .360 clip.

ALL-TIME VERSUS DAYTON: Friday's match will be the eighth meeting between the two programs. The series between the Eagles and Flyers dates back to the 1979 season, where Dayton claimed the 2-1 win, Sept. 28.
   Eastern Michigan trails in the all-time series with a 2-5 record with their last win coming on Oct. 4, 1994, with a 3-0 sweep on the road.

ALL-TIME VERSUS THE A-10: Eastern Michigan holds a 12-8 record against Atlantic 10 Conference teams. The last A10 team the Eagles met was Fordham, Aug. 24, 2018, when EMU won 3-0 to start the 2018 season.
   Eastern has the advantage in the all-time series against six institutions: George Washington (2-0), Duquesne (2-1), Davidson (1-0), Fordham (1-0), George Mason (1-0), and Rhode Island (1-0).

SCOUTING BOSTON COLLEGE: Led by fourth-year Head Coach Jason Kennedy, Boston College enters the tournament with a 10-1 overall record. Most recently, the Eagles swept Rhode Island, 3-0, Sept. 12.
   BC leads the Atlantic Coast Conference in five statistical categories: total assists (549), total kills (596), total digs (639), total blocks (100.0), and total attacks (1,461). The Eagles' total assists and kills also lead the nation. Boston College averages 13.9 kills per set and 1.3 aces per set. Defensively, the Eagles are adding 2.3 blocks and 14.9 digs per set.
   Boston College is led by both Clare Naughton and Katrina Jensen, who are averaging 3.59 and 3.17 kills per set, respectively. The Eagles have three players who can set up their offense in Sophia Lambros (5.55 aps), Jane Petrie (5.33), and Grace Penn (4.89). Defensively, BC is led by Anna Murphy, who is recording 3.98 digs per set, while Amara Chukwujekwu is adding 1.05 blocks per set.

ALL-TIME VERSUS BOSTON COLLEGE: Saturday's match will be the first meeting between Eastern Michigan and Boston College in program history.
   Eastern Michigan holds a 9-18 overall record against Atlantic Coast Conference teams. EMU has the advantage in the all-time series against three institutions: North Carolina State (2-0), Virginia (2-1), and Virginia Tech (1-0).

COLLEGIATE DEBUT: After missing the 2021 spring season due to injury, freshman Olivia Szylar made her collegiate debut in the Green and White at Oakland, Sept. 5. The setter recorded an assist against the Golden Grizzlies.
   Additionally, "true" freshmen Mackenzie Gross, Annie Lockett, and Madeline Timmerman all made their collegiate debuts at the College of Charleston Invitational, Aug. 27-28. Both Lockett and Timmerman started all three matches, while Gross saw action against Indiana State and Montana.
   Lockett leads the team with 73 total kills with a 2.61 kills-per-set average. Timmerman ranks second in the Mid-American Conference averaging 0.50 service aces per set, while Gross has tallied seven kills and three digs.

RAKING IN THE AWARDS: Redshirt sophomore Raeven Chase and freshman Annie Lockett were named to the All-Tournament Team after their play at the Golden Grizzlies Invitational, Sept. 4-5.
   Chase posted 16 kills over the two-match tournament and boasted a .243 hitting percentage (16-7-37). Lockett finished the weekend with 15 kills (2.50 kps) and 12 digs (2.00 dps).
   Chase leads the team with 30 total blocks with a 1.07 blocks-per-set average, while Lockett ranks first on the squad with 73 total kills (2.61 kps).

STARTING OFF WITH A WIN: Eastern Michigan opened the 2021 season with a three-set sweep over the College of Charleston, Aug. 27. The Eagles have started the year with a victory in three of the last four seasons. The last time the Green and White began a campaign with a sweep, prior to 2021, was in 2018 when the Eagles defeated Fordham, Aug. 24.

OPENING WEEKEND: Eastern recorded a winning opening weekend at the College of Charleston Invitational, Aug. 27-28, with a 2-1 record. The Eagles opened the weekend with a three-set sweep over the host Cougars, Aug. 27, before going 1-1 the following day against Indiana State (L, 3-1) and Montana (W, 3-2).
   The last time the Eagles opened the season with a 2-1 record was in 2016 when EMU played in the Maryland Invite, Aug. 26-27. Eastern fell to Maryland, 3-0, before defeating Sacred Heart, 3-1, and Delaware State, 3-0, respectively.

ON THE HORIZON: Eastern Michigan will begin its 42nd year in the Mid-American Conference Thursday, Sept. 23 versus Western Michigan. Since the 1980 season, Eastern holds a 22-20 mark in MAC openers and a 4-6 record in league openers inside the Convocation Center.

Volleyball Closes Non-Conference Slate with the Michigan Challenge

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Players Mentioned

Samantha Basham

Raeven Chase

Mackenzie Gross

Alayna Jansky

Annie Lockett

Jayden Otto

Kamryn Stilwell

Franki Strefling

Olivia Szylar

Madeline Timmerman

Eastern Michigan Athletics