Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
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Western Michigan
Volleyball Heading to Western Michigan Friday, Hosting Central Michigan Saturday
9/30/2026 7:00:00 PM | Volleyball
Both matches are set for 6 p.m.
| Volleyball at Western Michigan, vs. Central Michigan | |
| Date/Time | Friday, Oct. 2, at 6 p.m. | Saturday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m. |
| Venues | University Arena | Kalamazoo, Mich. | George Gervin GameAbove Center | Ypsilanti, Mich. |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes (PDF) | EMU Media Guide |
| Live Stats | Live Stats |
| Video | at Western Michigan | vs. Central Michigan |
| @EMUVolleyball | @EMUAthletics | |
| @emu_volleyball | @emuathletics | |
KALAMAZOO and YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Eastern Michigan University volleyball heads into a Michigan rivalry weekend with two Mid-American Conference (MAC) matches on the docket: a road trip to face Western Michigan University Friday, Oct. 2, followed by hosting the second match against Central Michigan University this season Saturday, Oct. 3.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Both matches begin at 6 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN+. Live stats will be available at Live Stats.
ALL-TIME AGAINST WESTERN MICHIGAN
Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan will meet for the 100th time. EMU is 24-75 against WMU and holds a 5-33 record in Kalamazoo. EMU dropped the last match against Western Michigan in the 2025 season in four sets (Sept. 25), in Kalamazoo. Friday's match at University Arena is the first of two scheduled meetings between the programs in 2026; the Eagles will host Western Michigan again Tuesday, Nov. 3.
ALL-TIME AGAINST CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan will meet for the 105th time. EMU is 33-71 against Central Michigan and holds a 16-37 record in Ypsilanti. EMU is on a two-win streak against CMU after most recently sweeping Central Michigan 3-0 in Mount Pleasant to open MAC play this season, Sept. 22, along with winning the last matchup in the 2025 season in another 3-0 sweep in Ypsilanti, Oct. 28.
LAST TIME OUT
Eastern Michigan dropped its most recent match 1-3 to Ohio Friday, Sept. 25, in Ypsilanti, falling to 1-1 in MAC play. Eastern showed resilience after a difficult two-set start, rallying in the third set to extend the match before Ohio closed out the fourth. Nattie Slusher (Cincinnati, Ohio/Seton) paced the offense with a team-high 11 kills and 11.5 points, while Taeley Mahler (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) added 10 kills on an efficient .308 hitting percentage. Maddie Herman (Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville Community) was the team's most efficient attacker, posting eight kills on zero errors in 17 swings for a .471 hitting percentage. Surabhi Srinivasan (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Jerome) anchored the defense with a match-high 21 digs and the team's only service ace, while Lina Govoni (Joliet, Ill./Joliet West) distributed 35 assists to coordinate the EMU attack. Azra Eriç (Istanbul, Turkey/Kadir Has Anadolu lisesi/Robert Morris) chipped in eight kills and two block assists for nine points.
The loss followed the Eagles' dominant 3-0 road sweep of Central Michigan Tuesday, Sept. 22, which opened conference play. Eastern Michigan enters the weekend at 7-7 overall and 1-1 in the MAC.
MAC STANDINGS WATCH
Eastern Michigan enters the week sixth in the MAC standings at 1-1 in conference play. Western Michigan sits at 1-2 in MAC action. Central Michigan is 0-3 in conference play and has yet to win a set in MAC competition.
HIGH IN MAC/NAT'L RANKINGS — TEAM
Eastern Michigan ranks second in the MAC in blocking, averaging 2.22 blocks per set through 14 matches — a figure that tops the team's own opponent average of 1.53 blocks per set, in which they lead the conference. The Eagles have totaled 113.0 blocks on the season.
HIGH IN MAC/NAT'L RANKINGS — INDIVIDUAL
Several Eagles rank among the MAC's statistical leaders heading into Friday's match:
» Surabhi Srinivasan — 2nd in the MAC in digs (4.41 per set)
» Azra Eriç — 3rd in the MAC in blocks (1.22 per set), 3rd in service aces (0.43 per set)
» Olivia Beaudrie — 4th in the MAC in service aces (0.37 per set)
» Lina Govoni — 7th in the MAC in assists (6.68 per set)
» Taeley Mahler — 8th in the MAC in blocks (0.82 per set)
» Maddie Herman — 9th in the MAC in blocks (0.78 per set)
MILESTONES
Fourth-year defensive specialist/outside hitter Surabhi Srinivasan surpassed 831 career digs following the match against Ohio. Head coach Kevin Foeman earned his 191st career victory with the MAC-opening win against Central Michigan. First-year setter Lina Govoni has totaled 334 assists this season, ranking 7th in the MAC at 6.68 per set. Nattie Slusher recorded her eighth double-digit kill match of 2026 against Ohio.
UP NEXT
Eastern heads to Buffalo for a pair of conference road matches Friday, Oct. 9, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 10, at 4 p.m. Both matches in Buffalo will be televised on ESPN+.
FOLLOW US
Follow Eastern Michigan volleyball on social media at @EMUVolleyball and follow all Eagles athletics at @EMUAthletics. For the latest news, schedules and information, visit (EMUEagles.com).
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