KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Western Michigan volleyball team begins Mid-American Conference play on Thursday and Friday with a trip to Ypsilanti, Mich., to take on Eastern Michigan. The Broncos and Eagles are set to battle at 6 pm on Thursday evening, and again on Friday afternoon at 3 pm. Both matches are scheduled to be streamed on ESPN+.

FIRST SERVE
After going 7-4 in non-conference play, Western Michigan begins its 2021 MAC slate with a trip to Ypsilanti to take on Eastern Michigan. 

LAST TIME OUT
Western finished out its non-conference slate with a split of its matches at the Bulldog Brawl in Indianapolis. WMU fell in five to Milwaukee on Friday, before rebounding to top Butler, 3-0, on Saturday. 

SCOUTING THE EAGLES
Eastern went 1-2 during its final non-conference weekend, ending the slate with a 3-0 win over Boston College. EMU's Raeven Chase has been one of the top two-way players in the MAC, sitting fourth in the conference with a .344 hitting percentage and second in blocks/set at 1.03.

SERIES WITH EMU
WMU holds a 70-24 edge in the all-time series against Eastern Michigan. The Broncos have won the last five meetings, including both matchups during the 2021 spring season.

BRONCOS SWEEP WEEKLY AWARDS
WMU's Mairead Boyle, Logan Case and Maggie King all claimed awards from the MAC earlier in the week. Boyle was selected as the MAC West Defensive Player of the Week, recording 36 digs (4.50/set) last weekend. Case was named the West's Setter of the Week, handing out 96 assists (12.00/set) and recording a pair of double-doubles. King claimed the MAC West Offensive Player of the Week award, tallying 33 kills (4.13/set) and hitting .333 against Milwaukee and Butler.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Logan Case has turned into a double-double machine for the Broncos, and picked up two more last weekend at the Bulldog Brawl. The sophomore setter dished out 60 assists and collected 12 digs against Milwaukee, then followed that up with 36 more assists and a career-high 19 digs the next day in the win over Butler. Case has posted a double-double in three of WMU's last four matches and has a team-leading six so far this season.

ON THE HORIZON 
The Broncos begin a three-match homestand next Tuesday, Sept. 28, against Northern Illinois. First serve at University Arena is set for 6 pm. Click here to purchase tickets.