Previews courtesy of Athletic Communications Department
Eastern Michigan (6-6, 0-0 MAC)
YPSILANTI, Mich. -- Eastern Michigan University Volleyball opens Mid-American Conference play Tuesday, Sept. 22, when the Eagles travel to face Central Michigan University at McGuirk Arena in Mount Pleasant, Mich., at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
ALL-TIME AGAINST CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Eastern Michigan trails the all-time series against Central Michigan University 32-71-0 across 103 meetings, dating back to Oct. 9, 1976. The Eagles snapped a 10-game losing streak in the series with a 3-0 sweep on Oct. 28, 2025 — the most recent meeting between the two programs.
LAST TIME OUT
Eastern Michigan dropped a 1-3 decision to Cornell Friday, Sept. 18, at Gervin GameAbove Center in Ypsilanti.
Nattie Slusher paced the offense with 11 kills — her sixth double-digit kill performance of the season. Azra Eriç was the team's most efficient weapon, recording 8 kills on a .500 hitting percentage (8-0-16).
Lina Govoni posted 23 assists and 13 digs, her fourth double-double of the 2026 campaign.
Surabhi Srinivasan led the defense with 23 digs.
MAC OPENER
Tuesday's match at McGuirk Arena marks the start of the 2026 MAC slate for both programs. Eastern Michigan enters conference play at 6-6 overall, while Central Michigan opens at 0-13. Both teams carry 0-0 MAC records into the opener.
RECORD CHASING
Nattie Slusher has recorded a double-digit kill performance in six of Eastern Michigan's 12 matches this season, establishing herself as the Eagles' primary offensive engine heading into MAC play. Azra Eriç has been the team's most efficient attacker, highlighted by her .500 hitting percentage against Cornell.
Lina Govoni has recorded four double-doubles from the setter position in 2026.
HIGH IN MAC/NAT'L RANKINGS
Eastern Michigan enters MAC play with 81 service aces on the season, averaging 1.84 aces per set. The Eagles have also recorded 104.0 total blocks (2.36 per set) through 44 sets of play in 2026.
Lina Govoni has been one of the MAC's most productive setters, recording four double-doubles in 2026 including a 23-assist, 13-dig effort against Cornell.
Surabhi Srinivasan ranks among the team's most experienced defenders, entering Tuesday's match with 795 career digs at Eastern Michigan.
MILESTONES
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Surabhi Srinivasan enters Tuesday's match with 795 career digs at Eastern Michigan.
Central Michigan Chippewas (0-13, 0-0 MAC)
OPENING MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE PLAY
The Chippewas open the 2026 Mid-American Conference season hosting Eastern Michigan on September 22nd. The Chippewas are 7-34 all-time against the Eagles, and split with EMU in the 2025 season - Arielle Wilson's first season leading the Chippewas. CMU will open conference play with EMU, Ohio in McGuirk Arena then head to Kalamazoo to face in-state rival Western Michigan. Against these three teams, the Chippewas hold a 142-158 record against the three teams they open conference play with.
LOOKING TO MOVE FORWARD IN MAC PLAY
Central Michigan enters conference play still looking for its first win of the 2026 season, but the team has started to take strides as non-conference play concluded. In Miami, Fla., CMU won a set over Jacksonville, the second set won of the season. Also on that trip, Brytn Lyon charted a double-double in the final game of the 305 Classic against Alabama A&M. Also at the tournament, Taylor Cripe led the offense with 28 kills (2.80/set), Lyon tallied 78 assists and the Chippewas record 18 blocks as a team (1.5/set) as Brenna Storz led the charge at the net with nine of her own. Cripe also led the team in digs with 21 while Audrey Hackney had three aces over the three game stretch.
CAREER HIGHS IN MCGUIRK ARENA
When Central Michigan and Illinois State competed for the second time this weekend, Karla Sanchez-George set a new career high with eight kills. Prior to that game, KSG had recorded one career kill. Lilly Mullholand also recorded eight kills in a match, hers coming against the Spartans of Michigan State in the final game of the Heart of the Mitt Invitational. Mullholand missed the 2025 season due to injury and has been starting in various positions for the Chippewas this season.
LOOKING TO BUILD
Central Michigan returns four players to the 2026 roster after the first season under Arielle Wilson. Rainey Weidman, Taylor Cripe, Lilly Mullholand and Karla Sanchez-George will wear the Maroon & Gold for a second season. Cripe was one of the elite leaders for the Chippewas in many ways in the 2025 season and looks to continue that in her sophomore year. In a pre-season interview, Cripe stated that she feels like she grew a lot in her leadership in her first season and through the off season practices for the Chippewas.
“I feel like I just grew a lot in my leadership. I think we were very upperclassman heavy and now that we have a lot of newcomers, knowing I played a lot last year, I have really learned a lot there...I think I lead by example. I can hold people accountable but they can also hold me accountable.”
On the topic of 11 new players, Head Coach Arielle Wilson said the progress starts with the little things.
“It starts with the foundation and little things. We are getting everyone on the same page with movements, terms, and giving them the tools to make them successful. We have put the empowerment in their hands...I am a strong believer in the recruiting process...we believe in what they do.”
For more MAC Volleyball news throughout the season, visit
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