Eastern Michigan Athletics
Volleyball
Dorton, Darcy
Darcy Dorton
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- ddorton@emich.edu
- Phone:
- 734.487.0291
Darcy Dorton was named the ninth Head Volleyball Coach at Eastern Michigan University on Feb. 18, 2019. Dorton starts her fourth season as head coach at EMU in 2022 after having served as an assistant coach for four seasons.
While this is Dorton's first head coaching opportunity, she's no stranger to success with a combined six NCAA Tournament appearances, five conference titles, and two NCAA National Championships in her playing and coaching career. As a student-athlete at Penn State University and the College of Charleston, she compiled a .845 winning percentage (147-27). Furthermore, Dorton is believed to be the only player in NCAA Division I volleyball history to win conference titles in three different conferences (Big Ten, Southern, and Colonial).
In the fall season of 2021, Dorton led the Eastern Michigan Eagles to nine wins, an improvement from the 2020 campaign. The program was the fourth-best blocking team in the league with 2.13 blocks per set and fifth in team blocks with 234. On offense, Eastern ranked fifth in the MAC in service aces (142), averaging 1.29 aces per set. Season highlights included a 3-0 set sweep over Boston College, Sept. 18. Redshirt freshman Krista Blakely and redshirt sophomore Raeven Chase each added on 11 kills to Eastern Michigan’s attack during that game. Leading the team defensively was sophomore Kamryn Stilwell with 12 digs on the match.
Individually, Dorton helped mentor a pair of all-conference selections in Chase and Samantha Basham. Overall, it was the fourth-straight season Eastern Michigan tabbed a volleyball student-athlete on the first team.
Chase, a first team honoree, finished first in the conference with 135 total blocks and 1.23 blocks per set, and third in the league in hitting percentage (.352). The Toronto, Ontario native finished 10th in the regular season in the NCAA in total blocks (135) and fourth in the nation in solo blocks (36). Chase also moved into sixth all-time in program history with 62 career solo blocks. Additionally, her 36 solo blocks in 2021 ranks eighth in the program’s record book for solo blocks in a single season.
Basham, a second team selection, led the Eagles in kills (361) and was tied for fifth in the MAC in kills per set (3.34). Additionally, the sophomore was tied for fifth in the conference in points per set (3.73). The outside hitter also tallied double-digit kills in 18 matches this season, a team-high. The Granville, Ohio native also posted three matches with 20-plus kills in 2021, including a career-high 23 at Ohio, Oct. 8.
This past season, the women’s volleyball program saw four student-athletes either enter the record book for the first time in their career, or break a previous one. Entering the single-season individual record book for the first time at Eastern Michigan was Basham, taking the 10th spot in most single-season kills with a total of 361, bumping out former Eagle, Cassie Haut (357). Joining Basham on the first-time record ride was Stilwell, holding the 10th spot in single-season digs (513), removing former Eagle Alyssa LaFace (486). Additionally, Chase also entered the book for the first time, but with two separate single-season records – third in hitting percentage (.352) and second in total blocks (135).
As a team, the 2021 squad ranked eighth in the single-season record book for hitting percentage (.188) and sixth in blocks (234).
During the 2021 shortened spring season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Green and White recorded an 8-12 mark in Mid-American Conference play. The Eagles led the MAC averaging 18.2 digs per set, which was good for 19th among Division I programs. Dorton mentored EMU’s first AVCA All-Region First Team honoree since 1989 in Franki Strefling, as well as six Academic All-MAC award recipients.
In 20 matches, Strefling ranked second in the league in kills per set (4.09) and points per set (4.44), while Raeven Chase led the conference averaging 1.45 blocks per set. Her blocks per set average also ranked 14th in the NCAA.
In Dorton’s first year at the helm of the EMU volleyball program, the Eagles posted an 11-17 mark with a 6-10 Mid-American Conference record finishing third in the MAC West in 2019. Dorton guided two All-MAC selections in Cassie Haut and Raeven Chase to go along with six Academic All-MAC honorees.
Haut led the conference in average points per set (4.15), while Chase ranked second with a .352 hitting percentage (108-31-219).
Dorton joined the Eagles in 2015, helping the team make Mid-American Conference Tournament appearances in three of those four seasons. In 2018, Eastern Michigan reached new heights, winning its first MAC Tournament Championship in program history and first-ever bid to the NCAA Tournament, where it fell to No. 3 Illinois, which went on to participate in the Final Four.
In 2018 alone, Cassie Haut was named the MAC Tournament's Most Valuable Player, while Alyssa LaFace became the first EMU player since 2002 to be named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region team, while also earning a spot on the All-MAC First Team along with Haut and Jordan Smith. Over five seasons, she helped coach seven All-MAC honorees, as well as 28 Academic All-MAC selections.
Dorton was charged with training and player development for the Eagles. In 2018, Haut led the MAC in hitting percentage (.377) and the squad paced the league in assists (13.35) and kills (14.16) per set. A season prior, the Eagles were tops in blocks (320), while Samantha Falco finished second in blocks per set (1.18) and Kelly Ferguson was second in hitting percentage (.370).
Before joining the coaching ranks, Dorton had an outstanding collegiate career at Penn State (2009-11) and the College of Charleston (2012-13).
While competing as a Nittany Lion, Dorton was named Big Ten Conference's Freshman of the Year in 2009 and helped Penn State to a National Championship that same season. She was an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American and AVCA Mideast Region Freshman of the Year honoree.
The Nittany Lions did not lose a set in the NCAA Tournament until the national semifinals against Hawai'i, but won that match, 3–1, to set up a showdown against No. 2 Texas. Dorton recorded 13 kills in the matchup with the Longhorns. She finished her freshman campaign with 66 blocks, while ranking fourth on the team in kills with 276.
She was a member of the 2010 team that also won a National Championship with a 32-5 record. A captain in 2011, the Nittany Lions finished the year with a 25-8 mark in the semifinals of the NCAA East Regional.
Dorton transferred to CofC prior the 2012 season. In her first season with the Cougars she was named 2012 AVCA All-American Honorable Mention, the first in the program's history, along with AVCA All-South Region and First Team All-Southern Conference. Dorton led the Cougars with a career-best 27 kills in a first round victory in the NCAA Tournament over No. 23 Miami (Fla.). The Muncie, Ind. native led the team in kills with 529, which was the most single-season kills in school history during rally scoring era. Her 4.20 kills per set in a single season ranked fourth in College of Charleston record books.
In 2013, Dorton began her sand volleyball career at CofC, teaming up with Andi Zbojniewicz. The duo became extremely successful posting a 7-2 record on the season. In her final indoor season, Dorton was named the Colonial Athletic Association's Player of the Year and First Team All-CAA. She was named the CAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player after a 19-kill effort in the championship match. Dorton finished second in the conference in kills per set (3.60) and points (437) and won CAA Player of Week honors on four separate occasions. She also surpassed 1,000 kills combined in her time spent at College of Charleston and Penn State when she posted 16 kills against James Madison, Oct. 4, 2013.
Dorton is the ninth full-time head coach since the program began in 1976.
While this is Dorton's first head coaching opportunity, she's no stranger to success with a combined six NCAA Tournament appearances, five conference titles, and two NCAA National Championships in her playing and coaching career. As a student-athlete at Penn State University and the College of Charleston, she compiled a .845 winning percentage (147-27). Furthermore, Dorton is believed to be the only player in NCAA Division I volleyball history to win conference titles in three different conferences (Big Ten, Southern, and Colonial).
In the fall season of 2021, Dorton led the Eastern Michigan Eagles to nine wins, an improvement from the 2020 campaign. The program was the fourth-best blocking team in the league with 2.13 blocks per set and fifth in team blocks with 234. On offense, Eastern ranked fifth in the MAC in service aces (142), averaging 1.29 aces per set. Season highlights included a 3-0 set sweep over Boston College, Sept. 18. Redshirt freshman Krista Blakely and redshirt sophomore Raeven Chase each added on 11 kills to Eastern Michigan’s attack during that game. Leading the team defensively was sophomore Kamryn Stilwell with 12 digs on the match.
Individually, Dorton helped mentor a pair of all-conference selections in Chase and Samantha Basham. Overall, it was the fourth-straight season Eastern Michigan tabbed a volleyball student-athlete on the first team.
Chase, a first team honoree, finished first in the conference with 135 total blocks and 1.23 blocks per set, and third in the league in hitting percentage (.352). The Toronto, Ontario native finished 10th in the regular season in the NCAA in total blocks (135) and fourth in the nation in solo blocks (36). Chase also moved into sixth all-time in program history with 62 career solo blocks. Additionally, her 36 solo blocks in 2021 ranks eighth in the program’s record book for solo blocks in a single season.
Basham, a second team selection, led the Eagles in kills (361) and was tied for fifth in the MAC in kills per set (3.34). Additionally, the sophomore was tied for fifth in the conference in points per set (3.73). The outside hitter also tallied double-digit kills in 18 matches this season, a team-high. The Granville, Ohio native also posted three matches with 20-plus kills in 2021, including a career-high 23 at Ohio, Oct. 8.
This past season, the women’s volleyball program saw four student-athletes either enter the record book for the first time in their career, or break a previous one. Entering the single-season individual record book for the first time at Eastern Michigan was Basham, taking the 10th spot in most single-season kills with a total of 361, bumping out former Eagle, Cassie Haut (357). Joining Basham on the first-time record ride was Stilwell, holding the 10th spot in single-season digs (513), removing former Eagle Alyssa LaFace (486). Additionally, Chase also entered the book for the first time, but with two separate single-season records – third in hitting percentage (.352) and second in total blocks (135).
As a team, the 2021 squad ranked eighth in the single-season record book for hitting percentage (.188) and sixth in blocks (234).
During the 2021 shortened spring season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Green and White recorded an 8-12 mark in Mid-American Conference play. The Eagles led the MAC averaging 18.2 digs per set, which was good for 19th among Division I programs. Dorton mentored EMU’s first AVCA All-Region First Team honoree since 1989 in Franki Strefling, as well as six Academic All-MAC award recipients.
In 20 matches, Strefling ranked second in the league in kills per set (4.09) and points per set (4.44), while Raeven Chase led the conference averaging 1.45 blocks per set. Her blocks per set average also ranked 14th in the NCAA.
In Dorton’s first year at the helm of the EMU volleyball program, the Eagles posted an 11-17 mark with a 6-10 Mid-American Conference record finishing third in the MAC West in 2019. Dorton guided two All-MAC selections in Cassie Haut and Raeven Chase to go along with six Academic All-MAC honorees.
Haut led the conference in average points per set (4.15), while Chase ranked second with a .352 hitting percentage (108-31-219).
Dorton joined the Eagles in 2015, helping the team make Mid-American Conference Tournament appearances in three of those four seasons. In 2018, Eastern Michigan reached new heights, winning its first MAC Tournament Championship in program history and first-ever bid to the NCAA Tournament, where it fell to No. 3 Illinois, which went on to participate in the Final Four.
In 2018 alone, Cassie Haut was named the MAC Tournament's Most Valuable Player, while Alyssa LaFace became the first EMU player since 2002 to be named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region team, while also earning a spot on the All-MAC First Team along with Haut and Jordan Smith. Over five seasons, she helped coach seven All-MAC honorees, as well as 28 Academic All-MAC selections.
Dorton was charged with training and player development for the Eagles. In 2018, Haut led the MAC in hitting percentage (.377) and the squad paced the league in assists (13.35) and kills (14.16) per set. A season prior, the Eagles were tops in blocks (320), while Samantha Falco finished second in blocks per set (1.18) and Kelly Ferguson was second in hitting percentage (.370).
Before joining the coaching ranks, Dorton had an outstanding collegiate career at Penn State (2009-11) and the College of Charleston (2012-13).
While competing as a Nittany Lion, Dorton was named Big Ten Conference's Freshman of the Year in 2009 and helped Penn State to a National Championship that same season. She was an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American and AVCA Mideast Region Freshman of the Year honoree.
The Nittany Lions did not lose a set in the NCAA Tournament until the national semifinals against Hawai'i, but won that match, 3–1, to set up a showdown against No. 2 Texas. Dorton recorded 13 kills in the matchup with the Longhorns. She finished her freshman campaign with 66 blocks, while ranking fourth on the team in kills with 276.
She was a member of the 2010 team that also won a National Championship with a 32-5 record. A captain in 2011, the Nittany Lions finished the year with a 25-8 mark in the semifinals of the NCAA East Regional.
Dorton transferred to CofC prior the 2012 season. In her first season with the Cougars she was named 2012 AVCA All-American Honorable Mention, the first in the program's history, along with AVCA All-South Region and First Team All-Southern Conference. Dorton led the Cougars with a career-best 27 kills in a first round victory in the NCAA Tournament over No. 23 Miami (Fla.). The Muncie, Ind. native led the team in kills with 529, which was the most single-season kills in school history during rally scoring era. Her 4.20 kills per set in a single season ranked fourth in College of Charleston record books.
In 2013, Dorton began her sand volleyball career at CofC, teaming up with Andi Zbojniewicz. The duo became extremely successful posting a 7-2 record on the season. In her final indoor season, Dorton was named the Colonial Athletic Association's Player of the Year and First Team All-CAA. She was named the CAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player after a 19-kill effort in the championship match. Dorton finished second in the conference in kills per set (3.60) and points (437) and won CAA Player of Week honors on four separate occasions. She also surpassed 1,000 kills combined in her time spent at College of Charleston and Penn State when she posted 16 kills against James Madison, Oct. 4, 2013.
Dorton is the ninth full-time head coach since the program began in 1976.
| The Darcy Dorton File | ||
| Name: | Darcy Lin Dorton | |
| High School: | Delta - Muncie, Ind. | |
| College: | College of Charleston - Bachelor's degree of Psychology - 2014 | |
| Coaching/Playing Experience | ||
| Year | School/Company | Position |
| 2019-Pres. | Eastern Michigan University | Head Coach |
| 2015-18 | Eastern Michigan University | Assistant Coach |
| 2014-15 | ASKO Linz Steg | Professional Athlete |
| 2011-14 | College of Charleston | Student-Athlete |
| 2009-11 | Pennsylvania State University | Student-Athlete |
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