Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
4-2,0-0MAC
Valparaiso
4-2,0-0MVC
Volleyball Swats MAC-High 17 Blocks in Win Over Valparaiso
9/5/2025 9:46:00 PM | Volleyball
Eastern's 17 blocks in a four-set match rank third in the nation this season
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team swatted a MAC-best 17 blocks as it topped Valparaiso University in a four-set match, 3-1, to improve to 2-0 at the 2025 EMU Tournament Friday, Sept. 5, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
Eastern 's 17 blocks tie for third in the country in a four-set match. The Eastern defense was led by Hatteras Welker (Sunbury, Ohio/Sunbury) led the way defensively, swatting 11 blocks, the second-most in the country in a four-set contest.
How it Happened
SET 1 | The Eagles opened-up an early 1-0 match lead, winning the first set, 25-21. Eastern Michigan never trailed by more than five points and grabbed the advantage for good at 13-12 in a set that showcased two lead changes before the Eagles took over. EMU got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked six Valparaiso attacks in the stanza.
SET 2 | Eastern Michigan fell in set two, 25-22, to tie the match, 1-1. A powerful defensive display was not enough as the Eagles fell despite racking up eight blocks in the set.
SET 3 | Eastern Michigan bounced back following the second-set loss to grab the third set and a 2-1 lead in the match. The Eagles took the lead for good at 24-23 in a set that showcased four lead changes before Eastern Michigan took over in the second half of the stanza. They then carried that lead to a 25-23 set win.
SET 4 | Eastern Michigan kept the momentum going, earning the match win with a 25-20 fourth-set victory. The Eagles took the lead for good at 20-19 in a set that had just one lead change before the Eagles took over in the second half of the stanza. Eastern Michigan got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked four Valparaiso attacks in the stanza.
Match Notes
» Eastern's record improved to 4-2 (0-0 MAC) while Valparaiso's shifted 4-2 (0-0 MVC).
» Eastern's best offensive set was the fourth, landing match-highs with 15 kills and 15 assists. The Eagles also hit .385 in the frame, the best clip in any set in the match.
» EMU's best defensive set was the second, recording match highs with 30 digs and four blocks.
» EMU had more kills (56-55), assists (56-53), digs (91-89), and blocks (17-9) than the Beacons.
» Eastern set season-highs with 91 digs and 17 blocks. Its 91 digs are the second-most in the Head Coach Kevin Foeman era as it previously had 92 against Central Michigan University in a five-set match, Sept. 26, 2023.
» EMU's 17 blocks mark the fifth time in the Foeman era doing so. The Eagles are 5-0 when totaling 17+ blocks under Foeman.
» EMU's 17 blocks tied for the most in the MAC this season while its 91 digs tie for the second-most.
» Welker tied her career best with 11 blocks. She was one block off tying former teammate Angel Baylark for the program's four-set match record, set last year In another four-set win against Valparaiso, Aug. 31, as Baylark rejected 12.
» Ava Siefke (Cincinnati, Ohio/Saint Ursula Academy) led the team in kills for the fifth time this season. She has notched double-digit kills in every match this season. She is currently riding a career-best six-game streak of double-digit kills. She aided defensively with nine digs and five blocks.
» Ashlynn Belcher (Marengo, Ohio/Highland/Old Dominion) recorded her second double-double as an Eagle with 46 assists and 16 digs. Her 16 digs was one off her career high of 17.
» AshleeKay Christensen (Carlisle, Iowa/Carlisle) notched her third career game with 10+ kills as she put down 12 off an efficient .250 clip. She also set a career best with four blocks.
» Eastern's defensive specialists shined as Surabhi Srinivasan (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin-Jerome) (27 digs), Ella Grasson (Middleburg Heights, Ohio/Pauda Franciscan/High Point) (14 digs), and Layna Waselewsky (Ada, Mich./Forest Hills Eastern) (16 digs) all set career-highs.
» Srinivasan's 27 digs are the second-most in the MAC this season.
» Welker's 11 blocks are the second-most in the MAC and the most in a four-set match.
Historical Notes
» The Eagles and Beacons battled for the 10th time. EMU holds the series edge as it is now 6-4 against Valparaiso and holds a 3-0 mark when facing it in Ypsilanti.
» Eastern is 2-0 at home for the first time since the 2018 season. 2018 is also the last time the Eagles won a MAC Tournament Championship.
» Eastern is currently 2-0 in a home tournament for the first time since the 2003 season. That year, it started the EMU Invitational 2-0 with wins against University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and Western Illinois University, Sept. 12-13.
Up Next
The Eagles face the Purple Eagles of Niagara University tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 6, 11 a.m. Admission is free at the George Gervin GameAbove Center and fans can stream the game 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.
