The Eastern Michigan Volleyball team took on the Northern Illinois Huskies Saturday, September 24th; both teams entered the contest needing wins in tournament play. It was a big night for EMU, as they fought their way to victory. The Eagles got a much needed first conference win as they defeated the Huskies in 4 sets. (28-26, 26-28, 25-15 and 25-20).
Senior setter, Ashley Mason, recorded a double-double on the night with 44 assist and 10 kills, while Haley Stein had a season-high 34 digs. Rachel Iaquaniello had 13 digs, 3 aces and 18 kills. Paige Roback contributed 12 kills as she posted a team-high .370 hitting percentage. Erin Short also pitched with 11 kills (.360 hitting percentage), four blocks and four digs.
The first set was a back and forth tug-of-war for the Eagles and Huskies with six lead changes between the two teams. Mason led the charge in the first set with 17 assists and 1 kill, Paige Roback contributed 6 kills as well.
The Eagles got off to an early 4-2 lead before the Huskies fought back. NIU 4-0 run to take a 7-4 lead and held on until the end of the set.
With the Huskies ahead 20-19, a kill by Roback would set the teams up for the tug-of-war. NIU re-gained the lead after a kill by Lauren Wicinski, but Iaquaniello answered with one of her own for the Eagles to tie the score at 21. An attack error by Wicinski and a kill by Roback put the Eagles up 23-21 until the Huskies put up two points. The teams continued to go back and forth until back-to-back kills by Iaquaniello sealed the 28-26 win for the Eagles.
The Eagles were a little shaky in the second set and could not get it together in time. But they came charging back in the third set and re-gained control of the match, and never looked back, winning the third and fourth sets 25-15 and 25-20 respectively.
The Eagles were led in the third set by Kristen Baker who had 1 ace, 3 kills and 1 block. Mason had 2 kills and 6 assists. Iaquaniello came around in the match and contributed 1 ace, 3 kills and 1 assist.
The fourth and final set was led by Mason and Short. Mason had 10 assists, 1 block and 1 ace. Short was a key player as well with 5 kills, 2 blocks and 1 assist.
With the win, the Eagles improve to 13-3 on the season and 1-1 in Mid-American Conference play, while the Huskies fall to 12-4 on the season and 1-1 as well in Mid-American Conference play.
The Eagles will now prepare to take on the Chippewas of Central Michigan, in Mount Pleasant, on September 29th at 7 pm.
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