Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
2-12,0-2MAC
Toledo
4-9,2-0MAC
Eagles Drop Three-Set Sweep to Toledo to Close Out Series
9/22/2023 7:50:00 PM | Volleyball
Gremm and Siefke led the Eagles with nine kills each
TOLEDO, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team closed out the 2023 series with the University of Toledo Friday, Sept. 22, in a three-set sweep to the Rockets in Savage Arena in Toledo, Ohio.
Both Ava Siefke (Cincinnati, Ohio/Saint Ursula Academy) and Sabrina Gremm (North Royalton, Ohio/Gilmour Academy) led the Eagles in kills finishing with nine each. Defensively, the Green and White saw two players reach double figures in digs as Hannah Howard (Toledo, Ohio/Saint Ursula Academy) had 18 and Siefke contributed 13.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Eagles found themselves in an early hole, losing a tough first set, 25-19. Eastern Michigan trailed by as many as six points as Toledo grabbed the advantage for good at 17-16 in a set that was knotted up 10 times before the Rockets took over in the second half of the stanza.
SET 2 | The Green and White then dropped set two, 25-14, to fall behind in the match, two sets to none. EMU trailed by as many as 11 points as Toledo grabbed the advantage for good at 4-3 in a set that was knotted up three times before the Rockets took over the lead.
SET 3 | Eastern could not win the third set and was swept by Toledo. The Eagles dropped set three, 25-23. Toledo grabbed the advantage for good at 24-23 in a set that was tied up three times before the Rockets took over in the second half of the stanza.
Match Notes
» Siefke led the Eagles in kills with nine for the first time in her early career. Additionally, she was just the second EMU player in today's match to record double-digit digs as she finished with 13.
» Prior to tonight's match, Callie Minshew (Brandon, Miss./Brandon/Mississippi State) led the Eagles in 13 consecutive competitions, recording double-digit figures in all. Only one other MAC member has a player record the sort as the University of Akron's Faith Johnson currently sits at 11 consecutive double-digit kill matches.
» Howard led the team in digs with 18 which marked as the rookie's eighth double-digit dig performance this season.
» The last time the Eagles fell in three-straight sets was when the Green and White dropped the math against tournament hosts, the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Sept. 15. Additionally, it marked just the fourth three-setter of the season.
Historical Notes
» The Green and White hold a 22-16 record when playing the Rockets in the "Glass City". The last time the Eagles were in the Rockets' town before this season was in the 2021 campaign when EMU dropped both matches of the series, Nov. 5-6, inside Savage Arena.
» Despite the two series setbacks, Eastern currently holds an impressive 61-23 record over the Rockets dating back to 1976.
Up Next
The Eagles are scheduled to open its home to in-state rivals, Central Michigan University, Tuesday, Sept. 26, for EMU's 2023 season home opener. The single match is scheduled to be aired on ESPN+ with a 6 p.m. start time inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. Following the midweek match with the Chippewas, the Eagles are slated to host the Cardinals of Ball State University, Friday-Saturday, Sept. 29-30.
