Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
9-9,3-1MAC
Miami
6-8,0-3MAC
Volleyball Soars in Sweep Over Miami
10/4/2024 8:41:00 PM | Volleyball
The win marked Eastern's third in the MAC this season, tying its 2023 conference win total just four matches into conference play
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team made quick work of Miami University, sweeping the RedHawks, 3-0, gaining its third Mid-American Conference (MAC) win of the season, and tying its 2023 conference win total Friday, Oct. 4, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
The victory moved the Eagles' record to 9-9 overall and 3-1 in conference play.
Abby Stanford (Zanesville, Ohio/Tri Valley/Ashland) finished with 11 kills on the day to lead the Eagles attack for the second time this season while finishing with a hitting percentage of .611.
Defensively, Eastern had two players reach double figures in digs as Hannah Blaney (Saline, Mich./Saline/Rhode Island) paced the squad with 15 and Ava Siefke (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula Academy) had 10. From the front row, Aubriegh Oswald (Lowell, Mich./Lowell) contributed a career-best six blocks and Maddie Stayer (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor/Southern Miss./Jacksonville State) tied a career-high with five rejections.
How it Happened
SET 1 | The Eagles opened up an early 1-0 lead, winning the first set, 25-20. Eastern never grabbed the advantage for good at 16-15 in a set that showcased two lead changes before the Eagles took over in the second half of the stanza. Eastern got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked four Miami attacks in the stanza.
SET 2 | Eastern Michigan won the second set, 25-19, swiftly grabbing a 2-0 match lead. The Eagles rallied from an 8-1 deficit to win the set. The Eagles jumped in front at 15-14 and hung on for the victory. EMU capitalized on 10 Miami attacking errors on the way to victory.
SET 3 | Eastern took the third set to earn a victory via the sweep. The Eagles took control of the set early at 3-2 and never trailed, winning the frame, 25-21. Eastern Michigan led by nine points at 17-8 before finishing off the set.
Match Notes
» Eastern Michigan had more kills, assists, digs, and blocks than its opponent. Marking the first time this has occurred since Sept. 13, at Morehead State. Eastern had 40 kills to Miami's 33, 40 assists to its 20, 55 digs to its 42, and 11 blocks to its 9.
» The Eagles out-hit the RedHawks, .174-.118, marking their 10th time this season out-hitting their opponent, Eastern is 8-2 when doing so in 2024, and 12-4 under Head Coach Kevin Foeman.
» Eastern posted 10 or more blocks (11) for the ninth time this season, it is 7-2 when swatting 10 or more this season. The Eagles stand third in the nation and first in the MAC with 174.5. EMU also stands first in the MAC in blocks per set with 2.52.
» The Eagles tabbed 40 kills and 40 assists in the match. They post a 7-3 record this season when eclipsing both the 40 kills and 40 assists plateau.
» Ella Voorhees (Morgantown, W.Va./Morgantown/Southern Miss.) led the way for Eastern Michigan in terms of assists with 21. The total is the 30th time in her career in which she has recorded at least 10 assists, and her eighth time posting 20 or more this season.
» Oswald recorded a career-best with six blocks. She bested her previous career-high of four not even two full sets into the match. The match marked her third time the season and second consecutive match leading the team in rejections.
» Taylor Smith (Pewamo, Mich./Pewamo-Westphalia) had a solid game for the Eagles recording 16 assists. It is the sixth time in her career in which she has recorded double-digit assists. Smith also had nine digs. The total ties her career-best achieved against George Washington, Sept. 6.
» Blaney had 15 digs to lead the Eastern Green and White in the category. It is the 53rd time in her career in which she has had double-digit digs. Blaney leads the MAC and stands seventh in the country with 273 digs this season.
» Stanford finished the contest with 11 kills, tying her career-best. The match went down as her third this season with double figure kills, and fourth of her career, it also marked her second time pacing the Eagles in the stat this season.
» Siefke grabbed 10 digs, her seventh time doing so in 2024, and 13th in her career.
Historical Notes
» The contest marked the 63rd all-time meeting between Eastern Michigan and Miami. After the win, the Eagles improved their record in the all-time series, as they post a 20-43 all-time record, and hold a 12-22 mark when facing them at home.
» Friday night's win marked the third conference win of the season for the Eagles, tying their 2023 MAC win total just four matches into conference play.
Up Next
Eastern Michigan will stay at home and play Miami for one more game tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 5. First serve is set for 4 p.m. The match can be streamed on ESPN+ here.
Follow Us
Stay connected with the Eagles all season long by following @EMUVolleyball and @EMUAthletics on X for all of the latest EMU volleyball updates. Be sure to also follow the Green and White on Instagram, @EMU_Volleyball and @emuathletics
