Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Miami
EMU Volleyball travels to Oxford, Ohio
10/12/2022 4:32:00 PM | Volleyball
The Eagles take on the RedHawks of Miami University
| Volleyball at Miami | |
| Date | Friday, Oct. 14 at 4 p.m. | Saturday, Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. |
| Venue | George Gervin GameAbove Center | Ypsilanti, Mich. |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes (PDF) |
| Watch | ESPN + |
| Live Stats | Live Stats |
| @EMUVolleyball | @EMUAthletics | |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team continues Mid-American Conference play Friday-Saturday, Oct. 14-15, when it travels to Oxford, Ohio to take on the RedHawks inside Millett Hall on the campus of Miami University. Friday's first serve is set for 4 p.m. while Saturday's match is set to begin at 5 p.m.
Both matches are slated to be streamed via ESPN+ with Scott Shriver on the call. Of course, you can follow the action for free all season long via live stats at EMUEagles.com/livestats.
QUICK HITS:
» Eastern Michigan is playing its 47th competitive season and sports a 711-744-16 overall record and stands 280-368-1 in Mid-American Conference play.
» Dating back to 1975, the start of the EMU volleyball program, the team has earned one MAC West Division title (2005), one MAC Tournament crown (2018), and has had one appearance in the NCAA Tournament (2018).
» The program's 47th season began with Head Coach Darcy Dorton announcing the promotion of Assistant Coach Tyler Golsteyn to Associate Head Coach back in early May 2022. Additionally, former standout at Purdue University and All-American libero Jena Otec joined the staff in mid-April.
» Under Dorton, who took the reigns in 2019 as the programs ninth head coach, the Green and White hold a 29-64 overall record and stand 18-42 in league play.
» This season, the Eagles opened their nest to four "true" freshman, and three transfers to complete their "soar of eagles", with key returners such as Raeven Chase, and Samantha Basham. In the 2021 campaign, Chase led the conference in total blocks (135) while Basham posted a total of 361 kills. Both were named to All-MAC teams with Chase earning first, and Basham second.
» Leading the team in kills with 176 on the year is senior Samantha Basham. Junior setter Olivia Szylar tops the Green and White in assists (323) and shares the top spot with Basham in service aces (16) while freshman Emma McMahon leads the way with 267 digs and fifth year senior Raeven Chase sits atop with 64 total blocks.
EAGLES IN THE MAC: Five Eagles are currently ranked in the top 50 in various statistical categories throughout the Mid-American Conference. With the highest ranking, Raeven Chase holds the number four spot in the conference for hitting percentage (.341). On the defensive end, she is sixth in the league in total blocks (64), and has moved to ninth in blocks per set (0.97). The fifth-year senior has also jumped four spots, holding the 26th position in kills per set (2.41). Also in the kills per set category is senior Samantha Basham (2.51), ranking 25th, with freshman Sabrina Gremm (1.96) ranking 38th and fellow senior Krista Blakely (1.88) following in 41st. Freshman Emma McMahon currently ranks seventh in the league for total digs (267).
POST MATCH NOTES 10/7/22 (OHIO):
» In its first and only meeting of the 2022 season with Ohio University, Eastern Michigan notched 60 or more digs for the fourth time this season, reaching 65 against the Bobcats. That total ranked as the third most the Green and White have recorded all season, as EMU grabbed 69 digs against both the University of Louisiana, Aug. 26 and Coppin State University, Sept. 16.
» Eastern Michigan reached 50 or more kills for the fifth time this season with 58. Six different Eagles registered kills against Ohio, including double digit stats from senor outside hitter Samantha Basham (19), graduate student Callie Minshew (12) and fifth year senior Raeven Chase (20).
» Raeven Chase's 20 kills against the Bobcats was good for the seniors new career high. Her previous career high was 19, set against Ball State University, Nov. 11, 2021. Additionally, Chase accounted for almost 24 percent of EMU's points against Ohio.
» Sophomore setter Kendall Burk blew past her career-high for assists with 44. The Illinois native's previous career-high came earlier this season, Sept. 30, at Ball State, where she tallied 37. Burk's big night moved her assist total to 316, just seven away from the Eagles leader, junior Olivia Szylar. The effort was also Burk's second career double-double, her first since accomplishing the feat against BSU, Sept. 30. In both instances, she has recorded 11 digs and 35-plus assists.
» Outside hitter Samantha Basham matched her season-high for kills with 17. She also charted 17 in the season's lid-lifter, Aug. 26, against Louisiana. Basham registered 17.5 points against the Bobcats, giving her 68.5 on the season. Basham also led the team in total attacks with 44 tonight, her fourth most this season.
POST MATCH NOTES 10/8/22 (Kent State):
» The Eastern Michigan front row had a day defensively, registering 12 blocks in the match, to the Golden Flash's seven. This is the third match in the 2022 campaign the Eagles have tallied double digit blocks, the last two coming against the University of Virginia, Sept. 3, with 10 blocks, and against the University of Louisiana, Aug. 26, with 15.
» As a team, EMU defeated its opponent in terms of kills, 35-32. Senior Raeven Chase paced the Eagles with nine kills, moving her career total to 668, the second best career total on the team behind senior Samantha Basham, who currently holds 756.
» The Green and White collected a match-high 20 digs from freshman Emma McMahon. The rookie continues to lead the Eagles in digs and has tallied double digits digs in every game this season for a total 267.
» Eastern Michigan attackers were helped by a match-high 29 assists from sophomore Kendall Burk. Burk set her career high in assists the night before against Ohio with 43.
» Sophomore Madeline Timmerman registered a total of eight kills for the match. With this occurrence, she has now tied her season-high of eight kills, now done three different times. Additionally, the sophomore provided eight total blocks over the weekend adding to her total 45.
» Middle blocker Raeven Chase registered her 77th block solo in an Eastern Michigan uniform. The middle blocker is now two block-solos away from holding sole-possession of sixth all time in EMU volleyball program history. Emily Busch (2001-2004) holds the no. 6 position with 79.
MATCH THEMES: The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in efforts to support and raise money for the cause, the Eastern Michigan volleyball team is a proud partner of the Side-Out Foundation and began the "Dig Pink" Initiative with its match against Ohio, Oct. 7. A QR code was provided in-game as well as on the EMU Volleyball social media accounts for anyone interested in donating to the cause through Eastern volleyball. Fans are encouraged to wear pink throughout the month of October.
SCOUTING MIAMI: The RedHawks of Miami University currently possess a 6-11 overall record, and 1-5 mark in league play. The Oxford, Ohio based team opened its 2022 conference season with two back-to-back losses to Ohio University (0-3, 1-3). The programs lone conference victory came over Kent State, Sept. 30, in a match decided by five sets before dropping a four-setter the following day. Last weekend, the RedHawks took on both Western Michigan Univeristy and Northern Iliinois University resulting in two three-set losses.
ALL-TIME VS. MIAMI: The Miami RedHawks hold a 43-16 overall record over the Eagles, dating back to 1979. The last time the two birds flew against each other was in 2021, in a split series. Miami took hold of the first match, 3-1, Oct. 14 before the Eagles put an end to the RedHawks four-game win streak, Oct. 15 with the same result.
In the victory, the Eagles were led by a double-double from Samantha Basham, who registered 15 kills and 17 digs on the day. Additionally, Krista Blakely added a career-high 17 kills to help the offense. On the defensive end, Kamryn Stilwell chipped in for EMU with 24 digs to go with eight blocks from Raeven Chase.
THE ULTIMATE GOAL: At the conclusion of regular-season play, the top six teams in the MAC standings will earn nods into the MAC Tournament with the highest seed gaining home court advantage. The start of the tournament will see the bottom four duke it out for a chance at the top two-seeded. In instances where two teams are tied for a top-six position, the team with a better overall record would win the tie. Furthermore, in cases where the two institutions are also knotted in overall records, the team who performed best against the higher seeded teams within the regular season will get the upper hand.
Through the first three weeks of conference play, Northrn Illinois University holds the upper hand with a 6-1 mark in league play. Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo both hold 5-1 records in the MAC, good for second place. Despite the early 0-6 record, the Green and White still have 12 conference matches left in the regular season to earn a berth into the MAC tournament. The Eagles hope to earn their first two league victories of the season over Miami (1-5).
OUT-BLOCKING OPPONENTS: Eastern Michigan has bested its opponent in the total blocks battle seven times this season. The Eagles put up 11 total blocks against the Bobcat's eight, Oct. 7 and 15 total blocks against the Golden Flashes' 11, Oct. 8. The 15 blocks aginst the Bobcat's offfense tied the 15 total blocks against Louisiana, Aug. 26 and was short two blocks from the team's season-high 17 coming against the Cardinals of Ball State, Sept. 1.
Moreover, in the second contest of the 2022 series against Toledo, Sept. 23, Eastern bested the Rockets in the total blocks battle, earning five, with the lone block-solo of the match giving the Eagles the edge. EMU recorded a perfect blocking percentage, while Toledo registered two errors in the match.
DIGGING FOR MILESTONES: Freshman Emma McMahon conitnues to hold the top spot in digs for the Eagles with 267. The rookie has been a consistent passer for the Green and White as she is ahead of the next Eagle, Sabrina Gremm by over 100 digs. Additonally, the Indiana native is ranked seventh within the MAC and 111th nationally, of the 297 ranked.
McMahon set a new career-high 24 digs against the Bobcats, Oct. 7 defeating her previous career-high of 23 recorded Sept. 16, against Coppin State University.
WAM-BAM, THANK YOU SAM: Against the Bobcats, outside hitter Samantha Basham earned a season-high 19 kills on the match. The senior's previous season-high 17 kills came in the season's lid-lifter, Aug. 26, against Louisiana. Basham's career-high 23 kills was also set against Ohio, but in the 2021 season in their home court, Oct. 8.
Additionally, Basham registered 17.5 points against the Bobcats, giving her 68.5 on the season, good for sixth in the MAC. She also led the team in total attacks with 44, her fourth most in the 2022 campaign. Then, against the Golden Flashes, Basham tallied seven kills. The Ohio native has now registered at least seven kills in all but two matches this season.
BURK'S HELPING HANDS: Eastern Michigan attackers were helped by a team-high 44 assists from sophomore Kendall Burk, who tallied a new career-high. The 44 helpers defeats her previous career-high 37 assists set at Ball State, Sept. 30, and is also her 15th match of the 2022 season in which the sophomore has recorded double digit assists.
Burk's big night combined with the 29 extra helpers set against Kent State, Oct. 8, moved her assist total to 316, just seven away from the Eagles leader, junior Olivia Szylar. The effort was also Burk's second career double-double, her first since accomplishing the feat against BSU, Sept. 30. In both instances, she has recorded 11 digs and 35-plus assists.
THE GREEN AND WHITE WALL: Sophomore Madeline Timmerman had an impressive outing over the weekend, collecting eight total blocks within the two matches. The middle blocker paced the Eagles in their match against the Bobcats, Oct. 7 with four total, two block-solos and two block-assists. Then, the sophomore recorded another three block-solos the day after with a lone block-assist to tie with senior Raeven Chase on the match.
Chase currenlty ranks sixth in the MAC in total blocks (64) and ninth in total blocks per set (0.97). Overall, the Eagles rank seventh in the league in total blocks per set (1.97).
TWO MORE, ON YOUR OWN: Against the Golden Flashes, senior Raeven Chase registered her 77th block solo in an Eastern Michigan uniform. The middle blocker is now just two block-solos away from holding sole-possession of sixth all time in EMU volleyball program history. Emily Busch (2001-2004) holds the no. 6 position with 79.
MOVING ON UP: Over the weekend, senior Raeven Chase appeared in the top 10 for hitting percentage within the Mid-American Conference, holding the fourth spot. Her 20 kills on 32 swings against the Bobcats was good for a .563 hitting percentage boosting her season hitting percentage to .341, the best on the team.
ON THE HORIZON: Following the matches against Miami, the Eagles will continue the #MACtion as they travel to Mount Pleasant, for a midweek matchup with the Chippewas of Central Michigan Univeristy, Wednesday, Oct. 19. The match is scheudled for 6 p.m. and will be streamed via ESPN+ and can be followed via live stats at EMUEagles.com/livestats.
FOLLOW THE ACTION ALL SEASON LONG: Stay connected with the Eagles all season long by following @EMUVolleyball and @EMUAthletics on Twitter for all of the latest EMU volleyball updates. Be sure to also follow the Green and White on Instagram, @EMU_Volleyball.
