Things are looking good for the Eastern Michigan University volleyball team. After 11 matches this season, the Eagles are 9-2.
Their only loses have been to Notre Dame, in the very first game of the season (3-1), and Brigham Young (3-1).
The Eagles have defeated UC Riverside (3-0), Utah (3-2), Youngstown State (3-1), Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (3-1), Stetson (3-0), Marshall (3-0), Oakland (3-0), Idaho (3-0), and Butler (3-2).
The Eagles have outscored their opponents 932-866, and have won 29 out of 41 sets. Five of the Eagles’ victories were won in straight sets.
The Eagles have a squad of heavy hitters and have attacked from the start.
Rachel Iaquaniello is leading the way with 167 kills, followed by Paige Roback with 91, and Kristen Baker with 88.
The Eagles average 13.12 kills per set and they allow their opponents an average of 12.34 kills per set. Eastern has also out served its opponents 50 aces to 25.
EMU has been well-represented throughout the season so far, not only with the team doing well but also with players receiving special individual awards.
Iaquaniello was named the MAC west player of the week Sept. 5. Ashley Mason and Haley Stein were named to the Utah Invite all-tournament team on Saturday. Baker and Roback were selected for the IUPUI Hampton Inn Invitational all-tournament team and Iaquaniello was also named the MVP invitational on Sept. 4.
EMU has games coming up against Morgan State, Texas Pan-American, Robert Morris, Western Michigan, Northern Illinois and Central Michigan before they
return to play for the home crowd at the Convocation Center on Oct. 1.
So far, the Eagles have had just one home game but they have eight home games coming up.
The Eagles still need to take on Ohio University and Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne before they begin their MAC schedule on Sept. 23 at Western Michigan.
The Eagles made it to the quarterfinals of the tournament in 2010 and lost in the first round in 2009. They have not won a tournament championship in program history.
