Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan Tops Northern Illinois in Straight Sets on Senior Day
11/4/2017 7:29:00 PM | Volleyball
The Eagles recognized Samantha Falco and Kelly Ferguson prior to the match
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Highlights
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team celebrated Senior Day with a sweep (25-22, 25-22, 25-13) of Northern Illinois University Saturday, Nov. 4 inside the Convocation Center. The Eagles (13-17, 5-9 MAC) earned their first victory in straight sets against the Huskies (7-22, 6-8 MAC) since Sept. 22, 2012.
Seniors Samantha Falco (Antioch, Ill.-Antioch Community) and Kelly Ferguson (Lemont, Ill.-Lemont) played in their final home contest representing the Green and White. Falco and Ferguson both had career years on defense, each totaling over 100 blocks and averaging over one block per set. On the offensive end, Ferguson leads all Eagles in attacking percentage among those with a minimum of three total attempts per match.
Redshirt junior Mallory Rajewski (Midland, Mich.-Midland) earned her 16th double-double of the season, leading EMU with 33 helpers to surpass the 700-assist mark for the season while adding 14 digs. Junior Jordan Smith (Solon, Iowa-Solon) paced the Green and White with 13 kills and was one of four Eagles to contribute at least nine digs. Redshirt Sophomore Cassie Haut (Monroe, Mich.-St. Mary Catholic Central) added 10 kills to the effort. Junior Alyssa LaFace (Allen Park, Mich.-Allen Park), and sophomore Riley Taylor (Indianapolis, Ind.-Perry Meridian) registered 15 and 11 digs, respectively.
The Eagles won convincingly on offense, hitting at a .230 clip compared to the Huskies' .085 clip. EMU registered 48 kills and out-assisted Northern Illinois 43-28. Defensively, the Eagles produced 55 digs while the Huskies logged 47.
The match went back and forth in the early stages until the Eagles scored five of seven points to build a 13-10 advantage, the largest lead by either team to that point. The Eagles were in front 15-12 following a media timeout, but the Huskies bounced back to win seven of the next 10 points and retake the lead, 19-18. Head coach Kimi Olson's decision to use a timeout reignited the Green and White, who responded in kind to capture the first set, 25-22.
EMU's positive swing in momentum carried over into the second frame, as the Eagles earned six of the opening eight points. The teams were tied 13 times in the set and the lead changed hands seven times, though the Eagles led 15-14 heading into another media stoppage. Tied 21-21, the Eagles tallied four of the final five points for a 25-22 victory and a 2-0 lead in sets for the second time in as many contests. Despite the close score, EMU's .250 attacking percentage overmatched NIU's .088 clip.
Trailing 8-6 to begin the third set, the Eagles rattled off five consecutive points to take the lead for good. EMU kept its foot on the gas, going on a 6-1 run to open up a convincing 19-12 lead. The Eagles slammed the door on a potential NIU comeback, scoring 12 of the last 14 points to win 25-13 and complete the sweep and send the Huskies to their third straight loss. The Green and White won in straight sets in consecutive Mid-American Conference matches for the first time since defeating Central Michigan and Kent State Nov. 1 and 3, 2012.
Eastern Michigan wraps up the 2017 regular season with two road matches next week, first traveling to Central Michigan Thursday, Nov. 9 for a 7 p.m. match before finishing the season against MAC East opponent Kent State Saturday, Nov. 11 at 5 p.m.
Highlights
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team celebrated Senior Day with a sweep (25-22, 25-22, 25-13) of Northern Illinois University Saturday, Nov. 4 inside the Convocation Center. The Eagles (13-17, 5-9 MAC) earned their first victory in straight sets against the Huskies (7-22, 6-8 MAC) since Sept. 22, 2012.
Seniors Samantha Falco (Antioch, Ill.-Antioch Community) and Kelly Ferguson (Lemont, Ill.-Lemont) played in their final home contest representing the Green and White. Falco and Ferguson both had career years on defense, each totaling over 100 blocks and averaging over one block per set. On the offensive end, Ferguson leads all Eagles in attacking percentage among those with a minimum of three total attempts per match.
Redshirt junior Mallory Rajewski (Midland, Mich.-Midland) earned her 16th double-double of the season, leading EMU with 33 helpers to surpass the 700-assist mark for the season while adding 14 digs. Junior Jordan Smith (Solon, Iowa-Solon) paced the Green and White with 13 kills and was one of four Eagles to contribute at least nine digs. Redshirt Sophomore Cassie Haut (Monroe, Mich.-St. Mary Catholic Central) added 10 kills to the effort. Junior Alyssa LaFace (Allen Park, Mich.-Allen Park), and sophomore Riley Taylor (Indianapolis, Ind.-Perry Meridian) registered 15 and 11 digs, respectively.
The Eagles won convincingly on offense, hitting at a .230 clip compared to the Huskies' .085 clip. EMU registered 48 kills and out-assisted Northern Illinois 43-28. Defensively, the Eagles produced 55 digs while the Huskies logged 47.
The match went back and forth in the early stages until the Eagles scored five of seven points to build a 13-10 advantage, the largest lead by either team to that point. The Eagles were in front 15-12 following a media timeout, but the Huskies bounced back to win seven of the next 10 points and retake the lead, 19-18. Head coach Kimi Olson's decision to use a timeout reignited the Green and White, who responded in kind to capture the first set, 25-22.
EMU's positive swing in momentum carried over into the second frame, as the Eagles earned six of the opening eight points. The teams were tied 13 times in the set and the lead changed hands seven times, though the Eagles led 15-14 heading into another media stoppage. Tied 21-21, the Eagles tallied four of the final five points for a 25-22 victory and a 2-0 lead in sets for the second time in as many contests. Despite the close score, EMU's .250 attacking percentage overmatched NIU's .088 clip.
Trailing 8-6 to begin the third set, the Eagles rattled off five consecutive points to take the lead for good. EMU kept its foot on the gas, going on a 6-1 run to open up a convincing 19-12 lead. The Eagles slammed the door on a potential NIU comeback, scoring 12 of the last 14 points to win 25-13 and complete the sweep and send the Huskies to their third straight loss. The Green and White won in straight sets in consecutive Mid-American Conference matches for the first time since defeating Central Michigan and Kent State Nov. 1 and 3, 2012.
Eastern Michigan wraps up the 2017 regular season with two road matches next week, first traveling to Central Michigan Thursday, Nov. 9 for a 7 p.m. match before finishing the season against MAC East opponent Kent State Saturday, Nov. 11 at 5 p.m.
Players Mentioned
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