Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, October 31
Ypsilanti, Mich.
4 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
10-14,4-8MAC
3
vs
2
Akron
9-15,4-8MAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 15 | 25 | 20 | 25 | 9 | 2 |
| Eastern Mich. | 25 | 16 | 25 | 21 | 15 | 3 |
10/31/2026 7:18:00 PM | Volleyball
Mahler led with career-high 19 kills, Govoni posts double-double with 42 assists and career-high 20 digs
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team defeated the University of Akron 3-2 (25-15, 16-25, 25-20, 21-25, 15-9) in the George Gervin GameAbove Center Saturday, Oct. 31, rallying in a five-set thriller behind a career-high performance from Taeley Mahler to snap a six-match losing streak to the Zips.
Eastern Michigan improved to 10-14 overall and 4-8 in MAC play with the victory. Mahler (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) led all players with 19 kills, hitting .459 on 37 attempts with three block assists for 20.5 points — surpassing her previous career high of 17 set against Montana on Sept. 11. Lina Govoni (Joliet, Ill./Joliet West) orchestrated the offense with a double-double of 42 assists and an career-high 20 digs, adding four kills and five total blocks for 7.0 points in her 11th double-double of the season.
Olivia Beaudrie (Monroe, Mich./St. Mary Catholic Central) joined Mahler as a double-digit kill contributor, recording a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs for 11.5 points. Azra Eriç (Istanbul, Turkey/Kadir Has Anadolu lisesi/Robert Morris) anchored the net game with seven total blocks — two solo and five assists — adding three kills and two service aces for 9.5 points. Surabhi Srinivasan (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Jerome) provided 19 digs and six assists to round out a deep defensive effort that saw Eastern Michigan out-dig Akron 77 to 74 and out-block the Zips 13 to five.
How It Happened
SET ONE | Eastern Michigan seized control of the opening set immediately, hitting .300 on 40 attempts — 15 kills against just three errors — while holding Akron to a .024 hitting percentage on 41 swings. The Eagles' 15 kills in the set were their highest single-set total of the match. The Eagles built a commanding cushion and closed out the set 25-15.
SET TWO | Akron responded with urgency in the second set, out-hitting Eastern Michigan .294 to .105 and recording 13 kills against only three errors to even the match at one set apiece, 25-16.
SET THREE | Eastern Michigan bounced back to reclaim the lead, forcing 10 Akron attack errors and holding the Zips to a .079 hitting percentage in the set. The Eagles' defense created the separation needed to pull away for a 25-20 win, restoring the set advantage at two to one.
SET FOUR | Akron refused to yield, scoring 17 kills in the fourth set and hitting .250 to force a decisive fifth, winning 25-21. The Zips' offensive surge in the frame squared the match at two sets apiece and set the stage for a winner-take-all fifth.
SET FIVE | Eastern Michigan delivered its most complete set of the night when it mattered most. The Eagles hit .227 on 22 attempts while holding Akron to a .000 hitting percentage — five kills, five errors, 18 attempts — to close out the match 15-9 and secure the 3-2 victory, ending a six-match losing streak to the Zips.
Match Notes
» Taeley Mahler recorded a career-high 19 kills, surpassing her previous best of 17 set against Montana on Sept. 11, 2026. She hit .459 (19 kills, two errors, 37 attempts) and finished with 20.5 points — her highest single-match total of the season.
» Lina Govoni posted a career-high 20 digs, topping her previous best of 18 set at Kent State on Oct. 23, 2026. She also recorded 42 assists for her 11th double-double of the 2026 season.
» Olivia Beaudrie recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs, contributing 11.5 points.
» Azra Eriç registered seven total blocks (two solo, five assists), adding three kills and two service aces for 9.5 points.
» Surabhi Srinivasan contributed 19 digs and six assists, continuing her pace as one of the MAC's top defensive specialists.
» Eastern Michigan out-blocked the Akron 13.0-5.0 in total blocks, including five solo blocks to Akron's zero.
» The Eagles hit .194 for the match, above the team's 2026 season average of .165 entering the contest.
» In the decisive fifth set, Eastern Michigan hit .227 while holding Akron to a .000 hitting percentage (five kills, five errors, 18 attempts).
» Eastern Michigan out-dug Akron 77-74 across the five sets despite being out-killed 56 to 58.
» Head coach Kevin Foeman improved to 194-164 in his career and 41-75 at Eastern Michigan with the victory, moving to six wins from 200 career victories.
Historical Notes
» Eastern Michigan improved to 23-28 all-time against the Akron with the victory, the 51st all-time meeting between the programs.
» The Eagles are now 12-14 in matches played in Ypsilanti against Akron.
» Eastern Michigan snapped a six-match losing streak to Akron with the win. The Eagles had not defeated the Zips since Oct. 29, 2022, in Akron; their last home win over Akron came Oct. 30, 2021.
» Surabhi Srinivasan surpassed 1,000 career digs at Eastern Michigan during the Akron weekend series, becoming the first Eagle to reach that milestone since Franki Sterling in 2019. She now has 1,035 career digs at EMU through Oct. 31.
Up Next
Eastern Michigan returns to action Tuesday, Nov. 3, hosting Western Michigan University at the George Gervin GameAbove Center in Ypsilanti, Mich., with the first serve set for 6 p.m.
Follow Us
Stay connected with the Eagles all season long by following @EMUVolleyball and @EMUAthletics on X, and follow the Green and White on Instagram @emu_volleyball and @emuathletics.
Eastern Michigan improved to 10-14 overall and 4-8 in MAC play with the victory. Mahler (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) led all players with 19 kills, hitting .459 on 37 attempts with three block assists for 20.5 points — surpassing her previous career high of 17 set against Montana on Sept. 11. Lina Govoni (Joliet, Ill./Joliet West) orchestrated the offense with a double-double of 42 assists and an career-high 20 digs, adding four kills and five total blocks for 7.0 points in her 11th double-double of the season.
Olivia Beaudrie (Monroe, Mich./St. Mary Catholic Central) joined Mahler as a double-digit kill contributor, recording a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs for 11.5 points. Azra Eriç (Istanbul, Turkey/Kadir Has Anadolu lisesi/Robert Morris) anchored the net game with seven total blocks — two solo and five assists — adding three kills and two service aces for 9.5 points. Surabhi Srinivasan (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Jerome) provided 19 digs and six assists to round out a deep defensive effort that saw Eastern Michigan out-dig Akron 77 to 74 and out-block the Zips 13 to five.
How It Happened
SET ONE | Eastern Michigan seized control of the opening set immediately, hitting .300 on 40 attempts — 15 kills against just three errors — while holding Akron to a .024 hitting percentage on 41 swings. The Eagles' 15 kills in the set were their highest single-set total of the match. The Eagles built a commanding cushion and closed out the set 25-15.
SET TWO | Akron responded with urgency in the second set, out-hitting Eastern Michigan .294 to .105 and recording 13 kills against only three errors to even the match at one set apiece, 25-16.
SET THREE | Eastern Michigan bounced back to reclaim the lead, forcing 10 Akron attack errors and holding the Zips to a .079 hitting percentage in the set. The Eagles' defense created the separation needed to pull away for a 25-20 win, restoring the set advantage at two to one.
SET FOUR | Akron refused to yield, scoring 17 kills in the fourth set and hitting .250 to force a decisive fifth, winning 25-21. The Zips' offensive surge in the frame squared the match at two sets apiece and set the stage for a winner-take-all fifth.
SET FIVE | Eastern Michigan delivered its most complete set of the night when it mattered most. The Eagles hit .227 on 22 attempts while holding Akron to a .000 hitting percentage — five kills, five errors, 18 attempts — to close out the match 15-9 and secure the 3-2 victory, ending a six-match losing streak to the Zips.
Match Notes
» Taeley Mahler recorded a career-high 19 kills, surpassing her previous best of 17 set against Montana on Sept. 11, 2026. She hit .459 (19 kills, two errors, 37 attempts) and finished with 20.5 points — her highest single-match total of the season.
» Lina Govoni posted a career-high 20 digs, topping her previous best of 18 set at Kent State on Oct. 23, 2026. She also recorded 42 assists for her 11th double-double of the 2026 season.
» Olivia Beaudrie recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs, contributing 11.5 points.
» Azra Eriç registered seven total blocks (two solo, five assists), adding three kills and two service aces for 9.5 points.
» Surabhi Srinivasan contributed 19 digs and six assists, continuing her pace as one of the MAC's top defensive specialists.
» Eastern Michigan out-blocked the Akron 13.0-5.0 in total blocks, including five solo blocks to Akron's zero.
» The Eagles hit .194 for the match, above the team's 2026 season average of .165 entering the contest.
» In the decisive fifth set, Eastern Michigan hit .227 while holding Akron to a .000 hitting percentage (five kills, five errors, 18 attempts).
» Eastern Michigan out-dug Akron 77-74 across the five sets despite being out-killed 56 to 58.
» Head coach Kevin Foeman improved to 194-164 in his career and 41-75 at Eastern Michigan with the victory, moving to six wins from 200 career victories.
Historical Notes
» Eastern Michigan improved to 23-28 all-time against the Akron with the victory, the 51st all-time meeting between the programs.
» The Eagles are now 12-14 in matches played in Ypsilanti against Akron.
» Eastern Michigan snapped a six-match losing streak to Akron with the win. The Eagles had not defeated the Zips since Oct. 29, 2022, in Akron; their last home win over Akron came Oct. 30, 2021.
» Surabhi Srinivasan surpassed 1,000 career digs at Eastern Michigan during the Akron weekend series, becoming the first Eagle to reach that milestone since Franki Sterling in 2019. She now has 1,035 career digs at EMU through Oct. 31.
Up Next
Eastern Michigan returns to action Tuesday, Nov. 3, hosting Western Michigan University at the George Gervin GameAbove Center in Ypsilanti, Mich., with the first serve set for 6 p.m.
Follow Us
Stay connected with the Eagles all season long by following @EMUVolleyball and @EMUAthletics on X, and follow the Green and White on Instagram @emu_volleyball and @emuathletics.
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Players Mentioned
OH/DS
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
OH/OPP
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ VolleyballTeam Stats
UA
EMU
Kills
58
56
Errors
33
23
Attempts
175
170
Hitting %
.143
.194
Points
68.0
74.0
Assists
55
52
Aces
5
5
Blocks
5
13
Game Leaders
Kills
19
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
10
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Monday, September 07
Monday, September 07
Saturday, September 05
Thursday, September 03