The Eastern Michigan University women’s athletics program was awarded the Mid-American Conference Jacoby Trophy, awarded to the MAC’s best women’s program of the season, Wednesday night at the MAC Honors Dinner in Cleveland.
The MAC Jacoby Trophy is named after the former MAC Commissioner Fred Jacoby, who was prominent in the progression of women’s athletics into the conference’s ranks.
The Eagles have never won the award prior to the 2014-2015 season, and Eastern Michigan’s best finish was third place for the 1990-91, 2001-02, 2010-11 and 2013-14 seasons. But on Wednesday night history was made for a program that made great strides in its latest season.
The 2014-15 season was not only successful for women in the classroom, but also on the field, the track and the court. The woman’s indoor track and field team had the best finish of the Eagles women’s programs, with the team winning a MAC Championship.
Women’s soccer added to Eastern Michigan’s trophy count when it claimed its second consecutive MAC West Division title.
Eastern Michigan golf, cross-country, swimming and diving and outdoor track and field finished in second place in their respective divisions of the Mid-American Conference.
The Eagles claimed the title with an average score of 9.41. The points are awarded based on each MAC school’s finish with the overall total being divided by the number of sports that the MAC conference sponsors. The Eagles were the only team in the MAC to score above a 9.0, and the runner-up, Kent State, scored an 8.43.
Indoor Track
In the 2014-15 season, the women’s indoor track team won its fourth title in its program’s history, while head coach Sue Parks was honored as Coach of the Year. Freshman Jordann McDermitt also earned the award for Most Outstanding Track Performance.
Soccer
EMU Women’s soccer won the MAC West Division title for the second consecutive year, for the first time in program history.
Swimming & Diving
Swimming and diving came in second place in its respective season, earning a record of 6-1-1 (4-1 MAC) while also going undefeated at home.
Golf
The Eagles golf team also took second place in the MAC, earning its seventh runner-up position in the last 13 seasons. Golf also tied for first place in the Cardinal Classic, and won the Middleburg Bank Intercollegiate Tournament, and finished second at the MAC Championship in late April.
Basketball
Basketball had an emotional run in the MAC conference in the 2014-15 season, finishing with a record of 24-13 (11-7 MAC). Women’s basketball progressed to the finals of the MAC Tournament, but was thwarted by Ohio University. The team was also invited to the Women’s National Invitation Tournament after being sent out of the MAC Tournament.
Cross Country
Women’s cross country placed second in the MAC Championships while also winning the George Dales Invitational. Individually, senior Victoria Voronko was named the MAC cross country champion. Voronko also earned First Team All-Mac honors and is the second Eastern Michigan student-athlete to be awarded.
Outdoor Track and Field
The outdoor track and field team earned its best team finish since the 2011 season, coming in second place.
Volleyball
The women of the EMU volleyball team tied for third in the MAC West Division, earning a record of 18-13 (9-7 MAC), and earned a berth to the MAC Championships, losing in the first round to Kent State.
Gymnastics
Under new head coach Jay Santos, the EMU gymnastics team finished with a record of 13-5. Santos earned MAC Coach of the Year.
Softball
Softball finished with a record of 18-32 (6-13 MAC), but did not qualify for the MAC Tournament. The softball team broke the home-run record with a count of 41.
Tennis
Tennis tied for fourth in the MAC standings with a record of 9-14 (4-4 MAC) and advanced to the MAC Tournament semi-finals where it was beaten by Miami (Ohio) University.
Follow Robert Sherman on Twitter: @r__sherman
