Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
12-15,4-10MAC
Akron
14-11,7-7MAC
Volleyball Drops Saturday Match at Akron
11/1/2025 5:59:00 PM | Volleyball
Hatteras Welker led the way with 11 kills, four Eagles posted at least seven kills
AKRON, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team was swept by the University of Akron, 3-0, inside James A. Rhodes Arena Saturday afternoon, Nov. 1.
Hatteras Welker (Sunbury, Ohio/Sunbury) paced the EMU offense with 11 kills off a .476 hitting percentage with just one error. Layna Waselewsky (Ada, Mich./Forest Hills Eastern) led the Eastern defense with her fourth 15+ dig game of the season, grabbing 16.
Ashlynn Belcher (Marengo, Ohio/Highland/Old Dominion) handled the setting duties with 28 assists and aided the defense with four digs.
Four Eagles - Welker (11), Ava Siefke (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula Academy) (9), Bri Struck (Broadlands, Ill./Heritage/Parkland College) (8), and AshleeKay Christensen (Carlisle, Iowa/Carlisle) (7) each recorded seven or more kills. Struck added two blocks while Siefke and Christensen pitched in for five digs, respectively.
How it Happened
SET ONE | The Eagles found themselves in an early hole, dropping a tough first set, 25-19. Eastern Michigan trailed by as many as seven points as Akron grabbed the advantage for good at 3-2 in a set that was tied up two times before the Zips took control.
SET TWO | Eastern lost set two, 26-24, digging a 2-0 deficit in the match, despite a strong offensive showing with 19 kills off 52 swings for a .231 hitting percentage. The stanza featured six lead changes and was tied 13 times. Neither team led by more than four points along the way.
SET THREE | EMU was not able to win set three and was swept by Akron. The Eagles dropped the first point and fought from behind the rest of the way before falling in the set, 25-15.
Match Notes
» Eastern's record shifted to 12-15 (4-10 MAC) while Akron's improved to 13-12 (7-7 MAC).
» Eastern's best offensive set was the second, landing 19 kills off 52 swings with a .231 hitting percentage.
» Eastern and its opponent had the same number of kills (43) for the first time this season and second time in the Head Coach Kevin Foeman era.
» Layna Waselewsky recorded 16 digs, marking her fifth 10+ digs match of the season. The match also went down as her fourth with at least 15 digs, the fourth most 15+ digs games among MAC freshmen.
» Ashlynn Belcher led the team in assists for the 25th time this season, dishing 28, marking her 21st 20+ assists match this season and 44th of her career.
» Hatteras Welker notched 10+ points for the 19th time this season, as she recorded 11 on the night off 11 kills, marking her fourth time reaching double figures in the stat this season, the most of her career. She also hit over .400 with over 20 attacks for the fourth time in her career and third time in 2025. Welker has posted 10+ kills in consecutive games for the second time in her NCAA tenure and three of her previous six for the first time in her career.
» Hatteras Welker (11), Ava Siefke (9), Bri Struck (8), and AshleeKay Christensen (7) each recorded seven or more kills. Struck added two blocks while Siefke and Christensen pitched in for five digs, respectively.
» Ella Voorhees (Morgantown, W. Va./Morgantown/Southern Miss.) recorded six digs as she now needs 16 more to reach 500.
Historical Notes
» The match marked the 49th between the Eagles and Zips. Overall, Eastern holds a 22-27 mark when facing Akron and a 9-14 clip when facing it on the road.
» Ava Siefke recorded the 79th ace of her career as she needs 21 more to reach the century mark.
» Hatteras Welker is up to 124 blocks on the season, ranking fifth in EMU single-season annals in the modern statistical era (2008-present). She needs 11 more to tie her 2024 total of 135 that ties for second.
Up Next
Eastern returns home for its final two home games as it will welcome Ball State University to the George Gervin GameAbove Center Thursday-Friday, Nov. 6-7. Admission is free and fans can stream both games live on ESPN+.
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
