Notre Dame’s loss has turned out to be Eastern Michigan University’s gain.
Senior Haley Stein is a 5-foot-6 libero from Carleton, Mich. for EMU’s volleyball team but nearly ended up with the Irish.
Stein was selected to the All-Mid-American Conference first team, the academic All-MAC
squad and her name is in the record books for leading her team with 757 digs last season, averaging 5.73 per set, which is second in program history.
“It’s a neat experience,” Stein said. “I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish this without my coaching staff and their philosophy. It comes down to discipline and having a bunch of heart because you love the game, you build on the system, raising the bar for the program and for the next person that comes into the program.”
Believe it or not, Stein looked at some other schools before she decided to come to EMU, such as Western Michigan University and Notre Dame. When it came to a decision, Eastern won out for personal reasons.
“Coming into Eastern, I had played with players here already,” Stein said. “I knew the system, it is close to home, I knew I was able to compete for a spot my freshman year. My mom played volleyball and basketball here at EMU; my sister was here.”
Many of you might be asking why Stein chose EMU instead of Notre Dame, but she said her decision rested on which university would allow her to have a bigger role for the team.
“I like Notre Dame because of the big name,” Stein said. “I didn’t want to sit on the bench; I felt more comfortable here at EMU.”
Stein is good at pushing herself to new highs. Last season, she had a career-high 55 digs against Western Michigan, ranking first in EMU history. Her teammates believe it has to do with all the years she’s been here.
“Haley brings experience and leadership,” teammate Ashley Mason said. “She knows when to step it up in critical times like when we need a big play or big dig.”
Her leadership inspires the whole team, from Mason all the way to her coach, Kim Berrington.
“She is such a hard worker,” Berrington said. “She is so physical playing defense. She never quits on a ball, and this is contagious for the team.”
There are a couple things people don’t know about Stein. She has a gum addiction, and according to Mason, Stein has a double ear lobe. She also enjoys playing golf, and hopes her mother doesn’t find out about the gum.
“I can eat one to two packs a day,” Stein said. “My mom is a dental hygienist, so she would kill me if I didn’t have the sugar-free kind.”
Stein has high expectations for this season, having fellow seniors Mason and Cassie Sowers to help her with the leadership. Her hope is for them to stay together at the end of the year and compete for the MAC championship.
