Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Insider Podcast - Season 8 - Episode 7
10/6/2025 6:05:00 PM | Football, Volleyball, General
Creighton Preps NIU, Srinivasan Steps Up as Volleyball Leader
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE kicked off Episode 7 of Season 8 with hosts Greg Steiner and Elena Davis diving into Car Show Week and plenty of laughs from the road. Head Coach Chris Creighton joined the show to preview one of his favorite events, the annual car show he helped start, and to share stories about his first ride, a 1987 blue Honda Civic.
The hosts also swapped first car stories before recounting a chaotic travel weekend to Buffalo that included rental car issues, late buses, and Davis' unfortunate run-in with a deer. Despite the road bumps, the duo broke down Eastern Michigan football's overtime loss to Buffalo, including the team's two-point conversion decision and key missed scoring chances.
They also previewed a busy week ahead in Ypsilanti, featuring home events for volleyball, soccer, and lacrosse, plus Friday's E-Club Hall of Fame ceremony. The episode wrapped with Davis teasing her interview with volleyball captain Surabhi Srinivasan, who discussed leadership, growth, and pride in representing Eastern Michigan.
Segment 1 - Chris Creighton
For Eastern Michigan Head Coach Chris Creighton, Car Show Week is more than a fan favorite. It's a celebration of the community and a chance for his team to respond after a tough overtime loss at Buffalo.
"We came up, we lost 31-30," Creighton said on the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE. "That's the result, and we can't change it. But we really played better football. We were aggressive, and we went after it both ways."
The Eagles' narrow defeat came despite one of their most balanced efforts of the season. Eastern rushed for 227 yards against one of the Mid-American Conference's top rushing defenses while holding Buffalo to just 115 yards on the ground.
Creighton credited his team's approach and energy early, noting improvement on both sides of the ball. "It was the mentality that was different," he said. "We were going to be aggressive and really come after them. That part was accomplished."
The 12th-year head coach also praised his offensive line, which earned recognition from Pro Football Focus as one of the top five units in the nation last week despite multiple injuries. "We've got starters out and have from the very beginning," Creighton said. "A lot of different people have stepped up. When you play so many people, it serves you well down the road."
Eastern's offense generated three drives of 90 yards or more, a feat that hadn't been achieved by the program since at least 2000. "That second drive when we're down on our one-yard line was huge," Creighton said. "We wanted to start strong and score first, and we did."
Despite those long drives, a late-game fumble near the goal line and a missed two-point conversion in overtime proved costly. Creighton said the decision to go for two had been discussed in advance but is always based on game flow.
"Most of the time, we decide during the course of the game," Creighton said. "In this one, we said, 'Hey, people are going to pick us as an underdog, it's their homecoming, and we've got a chance to do it. Let's finish it right there.'"
Looking ahead to Saturday's matchup, Creighton expects a defensive battle against Northern Illinois, which ranks among the MAC's stingiest units, allowing only 21 points per game. "They're a really good defense," he said. "They can run the ball and throw it on you. But our defense is getting better and better and showed that last week."
Saturday will mark NIU's final visit to Ypsilanti as a MAC member before departing for the Mountain West Conference, ending a rivalry that dates back more than a century. Creighton acknowledged the changing landscape of college football but said the focus remains on the here and now.
"It's different now," he said. "When we grew up, you had a team, and you stayed with that team. Now college football, with all the realignment, it's just different. It is what it is."
Kickoff for Saturday's home game is set for 1 p.m. at Rynearson Stadium, with the annual car show beginning at 10 a.m. "We'll be cranked up and ready to go," Creighton said. "It's going to be a great day in Ypsilanti."
Segment 2 - Surabhi Srinivasan
When Eastern Michigan junior volleyball player Surabhi Srinivasan found out she had been voted team captain, she was caught off guard.
"I did not think I was going to be a captain," Srinivasan said on the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE. "It was surprising. I was like, oh, they actually think of me like that."
The Ohio native, now in her third season with the Eagles, has grown into a leadership role she once didn't expect. For Srinivasan, the honor felt even more meaningful because the vote came from her teammates, not the coaching staff. "It was team-voted this year," she said. "Last year, the coaches picked. So to know that my teammates see me that way means a lot."
Srinivasan didn't see much playing time early in her career, which made the trust her teammates placed in her even more significant. "It was hard because I didn't play as much my first two years," she said. "Now stepping into that role, it's like, oh, they want me on the court leading them."
As a versatile player who has seen time at both outside hitter and libero, Srinivasan values her ability to fit wherever the team needs her. "I can get thrown in anywhere," she said. "But I'd say outside hitter is my favorite, because I've played that for nine years."
Her journey to Ypsilanti started with her older sister, who inspired her to play volleyball. "My sister played, and I copied everything she did," she said with a laugh. "I stuck with it."
Srinivasan joined Eastern Michigan under a previous coaching staff and has since navigated change with a positive mindset. "At first, I didn't know them, and they didn't know me," she said. "But it's been good. It's been great to see how we've grown as a team over the last three years."
That growth has also been personal. Learning to lead has pushed Srinivasan outside her comfort zone. "I wasn't super vocal as a hitter," she said. "But being a libero, you have to talk. I've had to work on being more vocal and not just leading by doing."
She shares the captain title with two teammates who bring different leadership styles. "Ash is calm and wise," Srinivasan said. "Vu does all the dirty work. I'm kind of the middle. I can be outgoing and funny, but also serious when I need to be."
Off the court, Srinivasan studies secondary education with a focus in mathematics. She laughs about occasionally helping teammates with homework but says being a student-athlete has shaped her discipline. "My whole life now, I can't be late to anything," she said. "I have to have everything organized."
Her favorite EMU memory came in a five-set win over Bowling Green last season. "That was really special," she said. "Anytime I'm with the team is a good memory."
Looking ahead, Srinivasan's goals are simple. "I want to keep the libero jersey all year," she said. "But mostly, I just want to keep getting better."
Eastern fans will have plenty of chances to watch her lead this fall, including when the Eagles visit Miami (Ohio). "That's the one I'm most excited for," she said. "A lot of family and friends will be there—and yes, they'll be wearing Eastern gear."
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE kicked off Episode 7 of Season 8 with hosts Greg Steiner and Elena Davis diving into Car Show Week and plenty of laughs from the road. Head Coach Chris Creighton joined the show to preview one of his favorite events, the annual car show he helped start, and to share stories about his first ride, a 1987 blue Honda Civic.
The hosts also swapped first car stories before recounting a chaotic travel weekend to Buffalo that included rental car issues, late buses, and Davis' unfortunate run-in with a deer. Despite the road bumps, the duo broke down Eastern Michigan football's overtime loss to Buffalo, including the team's two-point conversion decision and key missed scoring chances.
They also previewed a busy week ahead in Ypsilanti, featuring home events for volleyball, soccer, and lacrosse, plus Friday's E-Club Hall of Fame ceremony. The episode wrapped with Davis teasing her interview with volleyball captain Surabhi Srinivasan, who discussed leadership, growth, and pride in representing Eastern Michigan.
Segment 1 - Chris Creighton
For Eastern Michigan Head Coach Chris Creighton, Car Show Week is more than a fan favorite. It's a celebration of the community and a chance for his team to respond after a tough overtime loss at Buffalo.
"We came up, we lost 31-30," Creighton said on the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE. "That's the result, and we can't change it. But we really played better football. We were aggressive, and we went after it both ways."
The Eagles' narrow defeat came despite one of their most balanced efforts of the season. Eastern rushed for 227 yards against one of the Mid-American Conference's top rushing defenses while holding Buffalo to just 115 yards on the ground.
Creighton credited his team's approach and energy early, noting improvement on both sides of the ball. "It was the mentality that was different," he said. "We were going to be aggressive and really come after them. That part was accomplished."
The 12th-year head coach also praised his offensive line, which earned recognition from Pro Football Focus as one of the top five units in the nation last week despite multiple injuries. "We've got starters out and have from the very beginning," Creighton said. "A lot of different people have stepped up. When you play so many people, it serves you well down the road."
Eastern's offense generated three drives of 90 yards or more, a feat that hadn't been achieved by the program since at least 2000. "That second drive when we're down on our one-yard line was huge," Creighton said. "We wanted to start strong and score first, and we did."
Despite those long drives, a late-game fumble near the goal line and a missed two-point conversion in overtime proved costly. Creighton said the decision to go for two had been discussed in advance but is always based on game flow.
"Most of the time, we decide during the course of the game," Creighton said. "In this one, we said, 'Hey, people are going to pick us as an underdog, it's their homecoming, and we've got a chance to do it. Let's finish it right there.'"
Looking ahead to Saturday's matchup, Creighton expects a defensive battle against Northern Illinois, which ranks among the MAC's stingiest units, allowing only 21 points per game. "They're a really good defense," he said. "They can run the ball and throw it on you. But our defense is getting better and better and showed that last week."
Saturday will mark NIU's final visit to Ypsilanti as a MAC member before departing for the Mountain West Conference, ending a rivalry that dates back more than a century. Creighton acknowledged the changing landscape of college football but said the focus remains on the here and now.
"It's different now," he said. "When we grew up, you had a team, and you stayed with that team. Now college football, with all the realignment, it's just different. It is what it is."
Kickoff for Saturday's home game is set for 1 p.m. at Rynearson Stadium, with the annual car show beginning at 10 a.m. "We'll be cranked up and ready to go," Creighton said. "It's going to be a great day in Ypsilanti."
Segment 2 - Surabhi Srinivasan
When Eastern Michigan junior volleyball player Surabhi Srinivasan found out she had been voted team captain, she was caught off guard.
"I did not think I was going to be a captain," Srinivasan said on the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE. "It was surprising. I was like, oh, they actually think of me like that."
The Ohio native, now in her third season with the Eagles, has grown into a leadership role she once didn't expect. For Srinivasan, the honor felt even more meaningful because the vote came from her teammates, not the coaching staff. "It was team-voted this year," she said. "Last year, the coaches picked. So to know that my teammates see me that way means a lot."
Srinivasan didn't see much playing time early in her career, which made the trust her teammates placed in her even more significant. "It was hard because I didn't play as much my first two years," she said. "Now stepping into that role, it's like, oh, they want me on the court leading them."
As a versatile player who has seen time at both outside hitter and libero, Srinivasan values her ability to fit wherever the team needs her. "I can get thrown in anywhere," she said. "But I'd say outside hitter is my favorite, because I've played that for nine years."
Her journey to Ypsilanti started with her older sister, who inspired her to play volleyball. "My sister played, and I copied everything she did," she said with a laugh. "I stuck with it."
Srinivasan joined Eastern Michigan under a previous coaching staff and has since navigated change with a positive mindset. "At first, I didn't know them, and they didn't know me," she said. "But it's been good. It's been great to see how we've grown as a team over the last three years."
That growth has also been personal. Learning to lead has pushed Srinivasan outside her comfort zone. "I wasn't super vocal as a hitter," she said. "But being a libero, you have to talk. I've had to work on being more vocal and not just leading by doing."
She shares the captain title with two teammates who bring different leadership styles. "Ash is calm and wise," Srinivasan said. "Vu does all the dirty work. I'm kind of the middle. I can be outgoing and funny, but also serious when I need to be."
Off the court, Srinivasan studies secondary education with a focus in mathematics. She laughs about occasionally helping teammates with homework but says being a student-athlete has shaped her discipline. "My whole life now, I can't be late to anything," she said. "I have to have everything organized."
Her favorite EMU memory came in a five-set win over Bowling Green last season. "That was really special," she said. "Anytime I'm with the team is a good memory."
Looking ahead, Srinivasan's goals are simple. "I want to keep the libero jersey all year," she said. "But mostly, I just want to keep getting better."
Eastern fans will have plenty of chances to watch her lead this fall, including when the Eagles visit Miami (Ohio). "That's the one I'm most excited for," she said. "A lot of family and friends will be there—and yes, they'll be wearing Eastern gear."
Players Mentioned
DS/OH
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