Oct. 18, 2006

Final Stats

Ypsilanti, MI - Toledo (6-16, 3-6 MAC) dropped a 3-0 (30-21, 30-22, 30-21) decision tonight at Eastern Michigan (6-14, 1-8 MAC) as the Eagles notched their first Mid-American Conference victory of the season and snapped a nine-match losing streak.

The Rockets were led by freshman OH Stephanie Kersting and junior OH Sarah Kreher with 10 kills apiece. Freshman libero Ashley Rucki added 16 digs for the Midnight Blue and Gold, while sophomore OH Shannon Strachan tallied seven kills and two blocks.

Senior Lindsay Piccolini led the Eagles with 17 kills and a .438 ATK% in addition to adding a team-high nine blocks. Junior Becky Reenders finished with 10 kills and five blocks. Junior setter Kate Sulewski recorded 37 assists and eight digs, while senior libero Ashley Cudney finished with a match-high 18 digs.

In the opener, the two squads battled back and forth until EMU went on a 7-3 run to take a 22-18 lead. The Eagles' advantage continued to grow the rest of the game, as EMU took the first set by a score of 30-21. Piccolini chalked up seven kills for Eastern in the game, while Kersting paced the Rocket attack with five kills.

In the second game, Toledo jumped on the board first but the Eagles roared back to take their first lead of the game at 8-7. From that point on, EMU never looked back as it took the game by a score of 30-22. Reenders led the way for the home team with four kills, while Kreher posted a team-high five kills for the Rockets.

In the finale, Eastern Michigan started strong out of the gate taking a 6-5 lead and saw its advantage grow on the strength of 15-5 run. Toledo made a late rally but was never able to get any closer, as EMU took the game and the match. Piccolini recorded seven kills and a .778 ATK% in the game with Kersting leading UT with four kills.

Toledo will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 21 when it makes the trip to Mt. Pleasant, MI to face Central Michigan (13-7, 3-5 MAC) in a 7:00 p.m. match.