Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
8-5,0-0MAC
Butler
7-6,0-0Big East
Welker Records Historic Block Total in Loss to Butler
9/20/2025 7:59:00 PM | Volleyball
Her 11 blocks tied for the second-most in a four-set match in program history
FISHERS, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University volleyball student-athlete Hatteras Welker tied for the second-most blocks in a four-set match in program history in the modern statistical era, recording 11 in a loss to Butler University in the final game of the Butler Invitational Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Fishers Event Center.
Welker's (Sunbury, Ohio/Sunbury) 11 blocks tied her career high and her own MAC single-game high as she previously recorded 11 blocks in a four-set win over Valparaiso University, Sept. 5.
Ava Siefke (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula Academy) led the offense with 12 kills while supporting defensively with nine digs. AshleeKay Christensen (Carlisle, Iowa/Carlisle) added 11 kills and nine digs, and Ashlynn Belcher (Marengo, Ohio/Highland/Old Dominion) led the team with 29 assists.
Surabhi Srinivasan (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Jerome) led the squad with 13 digs.
How it Happened
SET ONE | The Eagles came up short in a back-and-forth first set, losing, 25-23, in a set that featured four lead changes and was tied nine times. Neither team led by more than four points in the match.
SET TWO | A 25-14 set-two loss put Eastern Michigan in a 2-0 hole in the match. Eastern Michigan trailed by as many as 11 points as Butler grabbed the advantage for good at 11-10 in a set that was tied up five times before the Bulldogs took over.
SET THREE | EMU fought back to pull within one as it won the third set, 25-21. A dominant defensive display from the front row paved the way for the Eagles as they racked up nine blocks in the set win. Eastern opened up a 17-10 lead in the stanza and coasted to victory from there.
SET FOUR | Eastern Michigan couldn't keep the rally going and fell in the fourth set, 25-22, dropping the match, 3-1. The Eagles fell behind on the first point and never took the lead before falling in the set.
Match Notes
» Eastern's record shifted to 8-5 (0-0 MAC) while Butler's improved to 7-6 (0-0 Horizon).
» Eastern's best offensive set was the first, landing 16 kills off a .262 hitting percentage with five errors.
» Eastern out-blocked its opponent (13-12) for the eighth time this season, producing a 7-1 record when doing so and 21-7 mark under Head Coach Kevin Foeman. Eastern's 13 blocks tie for the third-most in a four-set match in the conference this season.
» The game marked the Eagles' sixth time this season with 10+ blocks, equaling a 4-2 record when doing so. Overall, EMU has recorded 10+ blocks 26 times with a 14-12 record under Foeman.
» Welker tied a career best with a match-high 11 blocks, also tying her own MAC single-game high as she previously recorded 11 blocks in a four-set win over Valparaiso University, Sept. 5.
» Siefke's 12 kills led the team, marking her 10th time doing so this season. The match continued her 10+ kills streak to 13 games, the most consistent stretch of her career and longest since Callie Minshew also had 13 straight in the 2021 season, Aug. 25-Sept. 21.
» Christensen recorded her seventh match with 10+ kills this season as she drilled 11. Her seven matches with 10+ kills ties for second in the MAC amongst the freshman class.
» Belcher led the team in assists for the 13th time this season as she recorded 29. She has eclipsed 20 assists in 11-of-13 matches this season.
» Srinivasan grabbed 13 digs, marking her career-best 11th 10+ dig game of the season.
Historical Notes
» Welker's 11 blocks are the most she's recorded in a four-set contest in her career and ties Raeven Chase's 11 against Bowling Green State University, Oct. 22, 2022, for second in program history in the modern statistical era (2008-present).
» Belcher's nine digs vaulted her over the 500 mark as she now has 508 in her four-year NCAA tenure.
» Despite the loss, Eastern is off to its first 8-5 start since the 2018 season, the last time it won a MAC Tournament Championship.
» The match marked the fourth between Eastern and Butler, and the first since 2017. EMU is 2-1 all-time against the Bulldogs and 1-1 when facing them in Indianapolis as all four matches have taken place in the state of Indiana.
Up Next
Eastern enters Mid-American Conference action as it is slated to open MAC play on the road against rival Western Michigan University Thursday, Sept. 26, 6 p.m. Fans can stream the game live on YouTube.
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
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