Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
5-7,0-1MAC
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Western Michigan
8-4,1-0MAC
Volleyball Drops MAC Opener to Western Michigan
9/23/2021 8:43:00 PM | Volleyball
Three Eagles recorded 10-plus kills in the 3-1 loss
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team dropped its Mid-American Conference opener to in-state rival Western Michigan University in four sets (32-30, 20-25, 22-25, 22-25) tonight, Sept. 23, inside the Convocation Center. The Eagles took the first set, 32-30, but couldn't hang on with a dynamic Bronco team.
The loss dropped Eastern Michigan's record to 5-7 overall and 0-1 in MAC play.
The Eagles offense was paced by freshman Annie Lockett (Mason, Ohio-Mason), who finished with 15 kills on the day while accumulating a hitting percentage of .324. Sophomore Samantha Basham (Granville, Ohio-Newark Catholic) added 13 and redshirt sophomore Raeven Chase (Toronto, Ontario, Canada-Michael Power St. Joseph Catholic) chipped in with a season-high 12 as part of balanced Eastern Michigan attack. EMU got 30 digs from sophomore Kamryn Stilwell (Parma, Ohio-Padua Franciscan) to lead them defensively.
Game Notes
» Eastern Michigan had three players in double figures in kills.
» Sophomore Jayden Otto (Crystal Lake, Ill.-Prairie Ridge) had a team-high three aces in the loss.
» Lockett had a team-high 15 kills for Eastern Michigan.
» Eastern Michigan got a match-high 30 digs from Stilwell.
» Eastern Michigan attackers were helped by a team-high 43 assists from Otto.
» The Eagles posted a win in the first set, 32-30, which is EMU's longest set played this season.
» EMU tallied 65 total points and 65 kills, which is the second-most of the season in both categories.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Eagles earned a set-one victory, 32-30, powered by a solid performance on the attacking side. Eastern Michigan put together a .341 attack percentage with 17 kills in the set victory. After the lead changed hands 10 times, the Eagles took control for good at 31-30 and rode that advantage to victory.
SET 2 | Eastern Michigan then lost set two 25-20, evening things at a set each. The Eagles lost the first point and fought from behind the rest of the way before dropping the set.
SET 3 | Eastern Michigan fell again in set three to make it a 2-1 deficit. The Eagles fought back from an eight-point deficit at 22-14, but Western Michigan held on to win the set, 25-22.
SET 4 | Eastern Michigan lost set four and the match, falling 25-22. Western Michigan grabbed the advantage for good at 14-13 and Eastern Michigan was never able to recover in a set that was tied up six times before the Broncos took over in the second half of the stanza.
Up Next
» Eastern Michigan will finish a two-match series with Western Michigan Friday, Sept. 24. The match is scheduled for 3 p.m. inside the Convocation Center.
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