Eagles Return Home for Michigan Challenge

Volleyball at Michigan Challenge
Date:	September 17-18
Location:	Ann Arbor, Mich. - Cliff Keen Arena \| Ypsilanti, Mich. - Convocation Center
Weekly Notes:	EMU Notes
Live Stats:	vs. Michigan \| vs.Auburn \| vs.Colgate
Live Stream:	vs.Auburn \| vs.Colgate

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- After a successful 2-1 weekend at the College of Charleston Classic, Sept. 9-10, the Eastern Michigan University volleyball team returns to Washtenaw County to co-host the Michigan Challenge with the University of Michigan. The Eagles (4-6) will travel to Ann Arbor, Mich. to take on the No. 23-ranked Wolverines (8-1) at 11 a.m. Saturday morning, Sept. 17, before later hosting Auburn University in their home opener at the Convocation Center. The Tigers (5-5) will hit the Convo's hardwood at 7 p.m. to take on EMU.
   The Green and White will close out the both the Michigan Challenge and its non-conference schedule Sunday afternoon, Sept. 18, when Colgate University comes to Ypsilanti. The Raiders (3-5) and Eagles will square off at 1 p.m.

ALL-TIME VERSUS THE MICHIGAN INVITATIONAL OPPONENTS: Eastern Michigan has squared off with two of this weekend's opponents on the court prior to the 2016 campaign. In total, the Green and White is 12-30 versus the tournament field, and have never played Colgate previously.
   Against Michigan, the Eagles trail in the all-time series by a 10-30 tally. Saturday's match versus the Maize and Blue marks the first since the 2014 campaign when Michigan handed EMU a 3-0 setback, Sept. 20. Eastern's last win over the Washtenaw County rival came back in 1994 when the Eagles topped Michigan, 3-1, at home.
   The Eagles hold a 2-0 mark against Auburn all-time. Saturday night's showdown will be the first meeting between the two squads since the Eagles swept the Tigers, 3-0, in the EMU Tournament during the 1990 season.

COMFORTS OF THE CONVO: Since beginning play in 1976, Eastern Michigan has compiled a 225-164 record on their home court, highlighted by a 114-77 mark since moving to the Convocation Center in 1998.

CAN YOU DIG IT?: Defense, specifically in the passing game, fueled the Eagles to a 3-1 win over Charleston Southern, Sept. 9. The Green and White recorded a season-high 99 digs in the contest, the most in a four-set match since Oct. 31, 2015 when EMU registered 101 versus Western Michigan. Five Eagles posted double-digit dig efforts with freshman Camille Schomer leading the way with 23. Redshirt sophomore Mallory Rajewski added 17 and freshman Alysa Sutton chipped in 16. Freshman Rachel Irbe and sophomore Alyssa LaFace recorded 14 and 10, respectively.

BLOCKS ON BLOCKS ON BLOCKS: In her first season as a starter for Kimi Olson's squad, junior Samantha Falco is making a difference at the net. The 6-foot-4 middle blocker has racked up a team-high 34.0 blocks this season and is tied for second in the Mid-American Conference in that category. Additionally, the Antioch, Ill. product leads the league in blocks per set with 1.17.

MURRAY AND FERGUSON PICK UP ALL-TOURNAMENT HONORS: A pair of Eagles picked up College of Charleston Classic All-Tournament honors for their play in South Carolina, Sept. 9-10. Senior Devon Murray registered her second all-tournament accolade of the season, while junior Kelly Ferguson earned the first honor of her EMU career. Murray was a beast for the Eagles over the weekend, leading the team with 32 kills and 34 points. Ferguson led the squad with a blistering .368 kill percentage. Her 38 total kills was second on the team and she led the Eagles in kills per set.

WEEKEND ROUNDUP: Eastern posted a 2-1 record at the College of Charleston Classic over the weekend, Sept. 9-10. EMU opened the tournament with 3-1 wins over Charleston Southern and VCU, before dropping the weekend finale, 3-1, to CofC. Senior Devon Murray and junior Kelly Ferguson earned all-tournament honors.

ON THE HORIZON: After closing out non-conference play this weekend, Sept. 16-18, the Eagles turn their focus to a grueling Mid-American Conference slate. EMU opens league play on the road, Sept. 23-25. The Green and White's conference season opens in Toledo, Ohio against Toledo, Sept. 23. From there, the Eagles travel to Mucie, Ind. for a showdown versus the Cardinals of Ball State, Sept. 24.

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Players Mentioned

Samantha Falco

Kelly Ferguson

Rachel Irbe

Alyssa LaFace

Devon Murray

Mallory Rajewski

Camille Schomer

Alysa Sutton

Eastern Michigan Athletics