Eastern Insider Podcast - Season 8 - Episode 9 - Eastern Michigan University Athletics

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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Mondays on the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE have a way of blending lighthearted banter with serious Eastern Michigan insight, and Episode 6 of Season 8 was no exception. Hosts Greg Steiner and Elena Davis opened the week's show by mixing Lions fandom, campus updates, and in-depth previews of EMU athletics into another lively conversation that captures the pulse of Ypsilanti.

"Welcome inside the Eastern Insider," Steiner began. "On this Monday, it's a glorious Monday because one of two things is about to happen. One, we're going to talk about Eastern Michigan, and two, Elena is going to get giddy because her Detroit Lions play tonight on Monday Night Football."

Davis didn't hold back her excitement. "I just want everyone to know I am wearing blue," she said, laughing as she described coordinating outfits with a coworker. "She's like, 'No, I root for the Bengals.' I was like, okay, so you just happen to wear blue on this amazing Monday Night Football game."

From Lions talk to "Information Overload Day," the episode promised listeners both fun and substance. "We will load you with information today," Steiner said. And they did, diving right into a full weekend of EMU sports results and previews.

Steiner led with EMU soccer's rainy victory over Akron, a key result that kept the Eagles in the race for a Mid-American Conference Tournament spot. "They're just a few points behind Bowling Green trying to get in that top six seed," Steiner said. "They wrap up their home schedule this Sunday against NIU."

Volleyball also earned the spotlight, with Davis previewing the team's two-match home series against Buffalo and introducing the week's featured guest, senior setter and captain Ashlynn Belcher. "She is awesome to talk to," Davis said. "She had one semester at Eastern and became a captain. Incredible story."

Belcher's feature, Davis noted, was one of her favorites of the season. "She told me, this is the best group of girls and coaches I've ever played with," Davis said. "I don't know if she was just saying that because I was talking to her, but it was such an incredible statement."

Belcher's family background added another layer to her story. "Her dad, Tim Belcher, pitched 14 years in the Major Leagues and won a World Series," Steiner said. "He was Rookie of the Year finalist in 1988 with the Dodgers, pitched for the Reds, White Sox, Tigers, Mariners, Royals, and Angels." Davis added that despite his success, Ashlynn described him as humble. "She said, 'He's always just been dad to me,'" Davis said. "That humility tells you everything about her, too."

From there, the hosts turned to football, reflecting on their trip to Oxford for EMU's matchup with Miami. "We didn't get a tan," Steiner joked. "No, we did not," Davis replied. "We did have a lot of technical problems, not just us, but everyone else. There was a massive outage."

Despite the off-field challenges, attention quickly shifted to this weekend's matchup against Ohio, a game filled with on-campus energy. "It is Made in the Mitten Day," Steiner said. "It is also Band Day. There'll be a large contingent of 22 bands."

The giveaways added to the excitement. "Students get a free rope hat," Steiner said, describing the green-and-white design. "General fans get a pennant and a rally towel. Or as I called it seven times while recording Eastern in 60, a rally tally."

On the field, EMU looks to improve against a strong Bobcats team led by quarterback Parker Navarro. "It'll be a good test for EMU's run defense," Steiner said. "They struggled at times last week against Miami."

Davis pointed to the need for balance. "The run game needs to be more effective," she said. "Eastern tried to run the football, but just could not. Twenty-two carries for 60 yards, that's only 2.7 per carry."

Still, there were bright spots. "Harold Mack had a monster game," Steiner said. "Six catches, 179 yards, and two touchdowns." He noted that the freshman's performance was historic. "You have to go back to 2016, also against Miami, when Dooley Aristilde did it," he said. "He's only the third freshman in the MAC this year to top 100 yards."

Davis praised her co-host's preparation. "You are so good at what you do," she said. "How do you even find that?"

"I spent a lot of time digging that stat up," Steiner admitted.

Segment 1 - Chris Creighton
Eastern Michigan football returns home this weekend to host defending Mid-American Conference champion Ohio at Rynearson Stadium. The matchup, which doubles as Made in Michigan Day and Band Day, will feature more than 1,100 band members from across the state and an EMU team eager to bounce back after a tough road loss at Miami.

Head Coach Chris Creighton said the Miami game hinged on a few key moments that swung the game's rhythm. "Those are obviously game breakers," Creighton said of Miami's third-down conversions. "They did a good job converting, and we weren't able to get off the field."

Miami controlled possession early, running a 20-play drive, while EMU's offense opened with three straight three-and-outs. "You put those two things together, and you have 23 minutes to seven of possession time in the first half," Creighton said. "But after all that, the score was still 21-14. When we scored, we scored quickly."

Despite the setback, EMU showed offensive promise, led by freshman wideout Harold Mack. The newcomer posted 179 receiving yards, becoming only the third EMU freshman since 1995 to top 100 yards in a game. "He got his opportunity and sure took advantage of it," Creighton said. "They were playing some man coverage over the slot, and he ran by guys. The first touchdown went exactly how the offensive staff drew it up—great design, great throw, great catch."

Quarterback Noah Kim also turned in a strong performance, passing for over 300 yards and four touchdowns. His aggressive style drew praise from Creighton, even with two interceptions. "Noah's played really well this season," Creighton said. "He'd be the first to tell you one of those throws was forced. But he's growing, he's learning, and he's giving our team a chance."

The game was not without challenges, including a rare headset malfunction that briefly disrupted play calling. "It just went quiet," Creighton recalled. "We called timeout, and the officials said it wasn't their jurisdiction. Later in the game, the league gave us the timeout back, which was the right thing."

Now, attention turns to Ohio, a team Creighton said commands respect despite turnover from last year's championship roster. "They've had changes in the staff and lineup, but they kept their quarterback, who's a complete player," Creighton said. "He runs their offense effectively, and their defense plays hard and disciplined."

The Bobcats enter with a mix of returning talent and new faces, while EMU aims to capitalize on home-field advantage. "We're going to have to take care of the ball and take it away," Creighton said. "Run the ball, limit their run, and win field position. It sounds like coach speak, but those are the things you have to do."

Saturday's game kicks off at noon at Rynearson Stadium. For Creighton, it's another opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd energized by music and Michigan pride. "We love being at home," he said. "We're ready for that and expecting to play great football."

Segment 2 - Ashlynn Belcher
For senior setter Ashlynn Belcher, volleyball has always been more than a game. It is family, leadership, and growth all wrapped into one. As she closes her collegiate career at Eastern Michigan University, Belcher carries herself with calm focus, quiet strength, and gratitude for the people who helped shape her journey.

"If I had a free day, I'd probably drive home and just lay on the couch and watch movies," Belcher said on the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE. "I just miss my family. Wherever they are, that's where I'd love to be."

Home is Ohio, but Belcher has found a second home in Ypsilanti. Her path to EMU came full circle after a winding start. "The coaches recruited me out of high school, but I ended up committing somewhere else," she said. "Then when I entered the transfer portal, they happened to need another setter again. So it was kind of a full circle moment."

Belcher transferred to Eastern from Old Dominion University after three seasons, stepping into a new team and a new challenge. "It was nerve-wracking at first," she admitted. "Everything was chaotic, especially with academics being so far along. But it could not have gone any better. The girls were so welcoming. The professors were helpful. It went as seamlessly as I could have imagined."

That transition turned into opportunity. Belcher quickly earned the trust of her teammates, who voted her team captain before the season began. "It's been awesome," she said. "Our captains are voted on by all of our teammates, so I really felt the love and appreciation from everyone being a newcomer."

Her leadership style matches her personality: steady, genuine, and authentic. "I don't go out of my way to be super energetic if I'm not feeling it that day," she said. "I just show up how I am and try to make everyone's day a little better somehow. I don't put too much pressure on myself or others. I just want everyone to show up the best way they can every day."

That consistency defines her play as well. As a setter, Belcher is the court's organizer, the one who touches the ball almost every play. "I've always been a pretty calm, collected person on the court," she said. "I love to play. It doesn't frazzle me when things go wrong. I love the challenge and being with my teammates."

Her love for sports runs deep. Belcher's father, Tim Belcher, pitched 14 seasons in Major League Baseball and won a World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers. But at home, he was simply "dad." "He's always just been dad to me," she said. "He's very humble. You'd never know who he was if you saw him at the grocery store. But if you asked him about it, he'd tell you everything you wanted to know."

Tim attends every EMU match. "Every single one," Ashlynn said with a laugh. "He gets more into it than I do. He's over there hitting the chairs, griping to my mom about calls. He's very vocal."

Her father's biggest lesson was confidence. "He's always told me to do my thing," she said. "He made me confident in myself. His advice has always been, 'You know what's best for you. You've got this.'"

Away from the court, Belcher balances an intense academic load as an exercise science major preparing for occupational therapy school. "I don't really have an option to procrastinate," she said. "I have to get things done when I have the chance or else I'll have no time. I'm forced to do things in the moment."

Her senior season brings perspective. "Nothing good lasts forever," she said. "I'm just trying to soak it all in. I love being part of a team. I'm so happy to have something I know I'm going to miss."

Asked what she hopes her teammates and coaches remember most, Belcher paused before answering. "I hope they remember how open I was to change," she said. "Coming here my last year, I was so nervous. It could have been the best or worst thing ever, and it ended up being the best thing. This has been my favorite team, my favorite staff, my favorite experience."

For Belcher, the final season is less about stats and more about gratitude. "I just want to have fun," she said. "I want to enjoy every match, because each one is one closer to the end. I'm so thankful for all of it."

Eastern Michigan Athletics

Eastern Insider Podcast - Season 8 - Episode 9

Players Mentioned

Ashlynn Belcher

Noah Kim

Harold Mack

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