Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, September 5
Pittsburgh, Pa.
12 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
5-1,0-0MAC
3
vs
0
Elon
2-5,0-0CAA
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elon | 16 | 24 | 20 | 0 |
| Eastern Mich. | 25 | 26 | 25 | 3 |
Trosky Dominates as Volleyball Records Second Consecutive Sweep
9/5/2026 2:23:00 PM | Volleyball
Freshman outside hitter landed 17 kills to power EMU to its first 5-1 start since 2015
PITTSBURGH, Pa. (EMUEagles.com) -- Freshman outside hitter Haley Trosky delivered a match-high 17 kills to power the Eastern Michigan University volleyball team to their fifth win of the young season for the program's first 5-1 start since 2015 with a sweep of Elon University, 3-0 (25-16, 26-24, 25-20), at the Chick-fil-A Robinson Classic, co-hosted by Duquesne University and Robert Morris University Saturday, Sept. 5, at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.
Trosky's (Pittsburgh, Pa./West Allegheny) 17-kill, .361-hitting performance, the third-most kills in a three-set match in the rally scoring era (2008-present), headlined a dominant offensive effort from Eastern, which hit .284 as a team and held Elon University to a .087 hitting percentage — a nearly .200 gap that defined the match from the opening set. Freshman setter Lina Govoni (Joliet, Ill./Joliet West) orchestrated the attack with 34 of EMU's 39 total assists, adding seven digs in a near-double-double effort that underscored the Eagles' ball-distribution advantage all afternoon.
Senior middle blocker Azra Eriç (Istanbul, Turkey/Kadir Has Anadolu lisesi/Robert Morris) led EMU with three service aces while contributing five kills and three total blocks, and junior outside hitter Taeley Mahler (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) was the Eagles' most efficient attacker, posting a .556 hitting percentage on six kills with one error. Freshman outside hitter Nattie Slusher (Cincinnati, Ohio/Seton) was second on the team with nine kills, while sophomore defensive specialist Madelyn Sipe (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) and senior libero Surabhi Srinivasan (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Jerome) each recorded 10 digs to anchor the back row.
How it Happened
SET ONE | Eastern Michigan came out of the gate with authority, controlling Elon from wire to wire in a 25-16 opening-set victory. The nine-point margin was the most dominant frame of the match, as EMU's offensive efficiency and service pressure established the tone early. Trosky was a force at the net throughout and Govoni's distribution kept the Eagles' attack varied and difficult to defend.
SET TWO | The second set proved to be the most competitive of the afternoon, with Elon pushing the Eagles past the standard 25-point mark before Eastern held on for a 26-24 victory. Eriç delivered back-to-back service aces at a critical juncture, forcing an Elon timeout and swinging the momentum firmly in EMU's favor. The clutch finish gave Eastern a commanding 2-0 match lead.
SET THREE | Eastern Michigan closed the match with a 25-20 third-set victory to complete the sweep. Govoni orchestrated a final offensive burst late in the set, setting up Trosky, freshman middle blocker Maddie Herman (Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville Community), and Mahler for consecutive kills to put the match away. The sweep improved EMU to 5-1 on the 2026 season.
Game Notes
» Eastern improved to 5-1, the program's best start since it went 5-1 in the first six games of the 2015 season.
» Eastern had more kills, assists, aces, blocks, and digs than its opponent for the first time this season and first time since it did so in a sweep against Kent State, Oct. 9, 2025.
» EMU has out-hit its opponent in 5-of-6 games this season, producing a 5-0 record when doing so.
» Eastern's freshmen class scored 65% (38-of-58) of the team's points. Season-wide, it has scored 55.9% (196.5-of-352) of EMU's points.
» After the win, Eastern is 19-11 in non-conference tournaments under Kevin Foeman since the 2024 season.
» Eastern Michigan hit .284 as a team (43 kills, 14 errors, 102 attacks) and held Elon to a .087 team hitting percentage (29 kills, 20 errors, 103 attacks).
» EMU recorded nine service aces compared to Elon's five, and totaled 6.0 team blocks against Elon's 5.0.
» The Eagles posted 48 total digs to Elon's 41 and 39 total assists to Elon's 26.
» Haley Trosky led all players in the match with 17 kills on 36 attacks (.361 hitting percentage), setting a new career high — surpassing her previous best of 15 kills recorded the night before against Robert Morris. She has now posted back-to-back career-high kill performances in consecutive matches.
» Surabhi Srinivasan and Madelyn Sipe each recorded 10 digs to co-lead EMU's back-row defense. Sipe's 10 digs stand as a career best and her first time reaching double figures.
» Lina Govoni recorded 34 assists — accounting for 87.2% of EMU's 39 total assists — along with seven digs, one kill, one service ace and 0.5 blocks for 2.5 points. The near-double-double effort is a career high for the freshman setter. Govoni has had at least 20 assists in three of his first six collegiate matches. She ranks eighth in the MAC with 6.00 assists per set.
» Nattie Slusher was second on the team in kills with nine on 26 attempts (.192 hitting percentage) for nine points. She has notched at least eight kills in five of her first six collegiate contests.
Historical Notes
» After the sweep against Elon, Eastern has notched consecutive sweeps for the first time under Kevin Foeman and first time since it swept the Miami RedHawks in consecutive games in the 2022 season, Oct. 14-15.
» Saturday's match was the first-ever meeting between Eastern Michigan University and Elon University in volleyball. The all-time series record stands at 1-0 in EMU's favor.
» Haley Trosky's 17 kills tie for the third-most by value in a three-set match in the rally scoring era (2008-present). She is one of two freshmen on that list, the other being the program's all-time kills leader, Rachel Iaquaniello (2009-12).
Up Next
Eastern Michigan returns home to host Illinois State at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, at the George Gervin GameAbove Center. Admission is free.
Follow Us
Stay connected with EMU Volleyball and Eagles Athletics on social media by following @EMUVolleyball and @EMUAthletics for the latest news, scores and updates.
Trosky's (Pittsburgh, Pa./West Allegheny) 17-kill, .361-hitting performance, the third-most kills in a three-set match in the rally scoring era (2008-present), headlined a dominant offensive effort from Eastern, which hit .284 as a team and held Elon University to a .087 hitting percentage — a nearly .200 gap that defined the match from the opening set. Freshman setter Lina Govoni (Joliet, Ill./Joliet West) orchestrated the attack with 34 of EMU's 39 total assists, adding seven digs in a near-double-double effort that underscored the Eagles' ball-distribution advantage all afternoon.
Senior middle blocker Azra Eriç (Istanbul, Turkey/Kadir Has Anadolu lisesi/Robert Morris) led EMU with three service aces while contributing five kills and three total blocks, and junior outside hitter Taeley Mahler (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) was the Eagles' most efficient attacker, posting a .556 hitting percentage on six kills with one error. Freshman outside hitter Nattie Slusher (Cincinnati, Ohio/Seton) was second on the team with nine kills, while sophomore defensive specialist Madelyn Sipe (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) and senior libero Surabhi Srinivasan (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Jerome) each recorded 10 digs to anchor the back row.
How it Happened
SET ONE | Eastern Michigan came out of the gate with authority, controlling Elon from wire to wire in a 25-16 opening-set victory. The nine-point margin was the most dominant frame of the match, as EMU's offensive efficiency and service pressure established the tone early. Trosky was a force at the net throughout and Govoni's distribution kept the Eagles' attack varied and difficult to defend.
SET TWO | The second set proved to be the most competitive of the afternoon, with Elon pushing the Eagles past the standard 25-point mark before Eastern held on for a 26-24 victory. Eriç delivered back-to-back service aces at a critical juncture, forcing an Elon timeout and swinging the momentum firmly in EMU's favor. The clutch finish gave Eastern a commanding 2-0 match lead.
SET THREE | Eastern Michigan closed the match with a 25-20 third-set victory to complete the sweep. Govoni orchestrated a final offensive burst late in the set, setting up Trosky, freshman middle blocker Maddie Herman (Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville Community), and Mahler for consecutive kills to put the match away. The sweep improved EMU to 5-1 on the 2026 season.
Game Notes
» Eastern improved to 5-1, the program's best start since it went 5-1 in the first six games of the 2015 season.
» Eastern had more kills, assists, aces, blocks, and digs than its opponent for the first time this season and first time since it did so in a sweep against Kent State, Oct. 9, 2025.
» EMU has out-hit its opponent in 5-of-6 games this season, producing a 5-0 record when doing so.
» Eastern's freshmen class scored 65% (38-of-58) of the team's points. Season-wide, it has scored 55.9% (196.5-of-352) of EMU's points.
» After the win, Eastern is 19-11 in non-conference tournaments under Kevin Foeman since the 2024 season.
» Eastern Michigan hit .284 as a team (43 kills, 14 errors, 102 attacks) and held Elon to a .087 team hitting percentage (29 kills, 20 errors, 103 attacks).
» EMU recorded nine service aces compared to Elon's five, and totaled 6.0 team blocks against Elon's 5.0.
» The Eagles posted 48 total digs to Elon's 41 and 39 total assists to Elon's 26.
» Haley Trosky led all players in the match with 17 kills on 36 attacks (.361 hitting percentage), setting a new career high — surpassing her previous best of 15 kills recorded the night before against Robert Morris. She has now posted back-to-back career-high kill performances in consecutive matches.
» Surabhi Srinivasan and Madelyn Sipe each recorded 10 digs to co-lead EMU's back-row defense. Sipe's 10 digs stand as a career best and her first time reaching double figures.
» Lina Govoni recorded 34 assists — accounting for 87.2% of EMU's 39 total assists — along with seven digs, one kill, one service ace and 0.5 blocks for 2.5 points. The near-double-double effort is a career high for the freshman setter. Govoni has had at least 20 assists in three of his first six collegiate matches. She ranks eighth in the MAC with 6.00 assists per set.
» Nattie Slusher was second on the team in kills with nine on 26 attempts (.192 hitting percentage) for nine points. She has notched at least eight kills in five of her first six collegiate contests.
Historical Notes
» After the sweep against Elon, Eastern has notched consecutive sweeps for the first time under Kevin Foeman and first time since it swept the Miami RedHawks in consecutive games in the 2022 season, Oct. 14-15.
» Saturday's match was the first-ever meeting between Eastern Michigan University and Elon University in volleyball. The all-time series record stands at 1-0 in EMU's favor.
» Haley Trosky's 17 kills tie for the third-most by value in a three-set match in the rally scoring era (2008-present). She is one of two freshmen on that list, the other being the program's all-time kills leader, Rachel Iaquaniello (2009-12).
Up Next
Eastern Michigan returns home to host Illinois State at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, at the George Gervin GameAbove Center. Admission is free.
Follow Us
Stay connected with EMU Volleyball and Eagles Athletics on social media by following @EMUVolleyball and @EMUAthletics for the latest news, scores and updates.
Players Mentioned
S
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH/OPP
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ Volleyball
OH/OPP
/ VolleyballTeam Stats
Elon
EMU
Kills
29
43
Errors
20
14
Attempts
103
102
Hitting %
.087
.284
Points
39.0
58.0
Assists
26
39
Aces
5
9
Blocks
5
6
Game Leaders
Kills
17
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
5
Aces
3
Blocks
3
Thursday, September 03
Wednesday, August 26
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Tuesday, August 25