As the Eastern Michigan University women’s volleyball program embarks on its historic 50th season, Head coach Kevin Foeman and his newly assembled squad have already made a resounding statement to the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Entering the 2026 season with one of the youngest and most heavily overhauled rosters in the country, the Eagles turned heads at the USI Invitational, storming to an undefeated 3-0 record to capture the tournament championship.
This spectacular opening-weekend performance marks Eastern Michigan’s best start to a season since 2018, the same historic campaign that culminated in a MAC Tournament Championship. For a team that was picked to finish near the bottom of the conference, the dominant showing in Evansville suggests that the Eagles are ready to write a brand-new chapter of success.
Season preview: A heavily retooled roster ready to surprise
Heading into the 2026 campaign, the narrative surrounding the Eastern Michigan volleyball team was centered on change. Fourth-year Head coach Kevin Foeman oversaw a massive roster reconstruction during the offseason, welcoming a staggering 14 newcomers to Ypsilanti, a mark that ranks as the second-most nationally in NCAA Division I. With only six players returning from the 2025 roster, including a freshman class of eight, the Eagles entered the fall as a largely unknown quantity.
The lack of varsity experience at the Division I level led conference coaches to overlook the Green and White. In the 2026 MAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll, Eastern Michigan was slotted ninth out of 11 teams, receiving just 31 points. Meanwhile, reigning MAC Tournament champion Toledo was heavily favored to sweep both the regular-season and tournament crowns.
However, what the coaches' poll failed to account for was the sheer depth and readiness of Eastern's freshman class. While roster turnover of this magnitude typically requires a lengthy adjustment period, Foeman’s squad has shown immediate cohesion, blending raw talent with a physical, defensive-minded style of play.
USI Invitational Recap: Defending the net in Evansville
The Eagles officially opened their 50th season at the USI Invitational, hosted by the University of Southern Indiana at Liberty Arena in Evansville. What unfolded over the two-day tournament was a demonstration of resilience, aggressive serving, and dominant net defense.
Friday Doubleheader Sweep
Eastern began its season on Friday, August 28, with a grueling doubleheader that tested both their stamina and mental toughness. In the season opener, the Eagles faced former MAC rival Northern Illinois University in a five-set thriller. EMU outlasted the Huskies in a tense 3-2 battle.
Junior outside hitter Bianca Salvador delivered the signature performance of the match, racking up a match-high 20 kills on a blistering .472 hitting percentage, along with 12 digs to secure a double-double, plus two aces for a total of 22.5 points. Defensively, senior Azra Eriç anchored the net with a career-high 11 blocks, spearheading a team defensive effort that out-blocked Northern Illinois 16 to nine.
The Eagles carried that momentum straight into the evening match against host Southern Indiana. Backed by a noisy home crowd, the Screaming Eagles pushed EMU, but Eastern’s defensive block proved impenetrable once again. EMU registered 14 team blocks to Southern Indiana's three, securing a hard-fought 3-1 victory. Eriç contributed seven block assists, bringing her doubleheader total to an incredible 18 blocks. Freshman hitter Haley Trosky also shined, combining for 20 kills and 10 blocks across Friday's matches and clinching the final set against Southern Indiana with a clutch kill.
Championship-clinching sweep
On Saturday, August 29, the Eagles capped off their perfect weekend by sweeping Murray State University, 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-21), to clinch the USI Invitational Championship. The victory marked Eastern’s first-ever win against Murray State, improving their head-to-head historical record to 1-2.
The sweep was a masterclass in aggressive serving and balanced offense. The Eagles recorded 12 service aces, double Murray State’s total, forcing 12 reception errors. Freshmen Olivia Beaudrie and Nattie Slusher paced the attack with nine kills each, while Beaudrie added four aces and 11 digs. In the final set, consecutive aces from Beaudrie and Eriç crippled the Racers' offense and sealed the historic 3-0 start.
Key takeaways: Defying the doubters
The biggest takeaway from the opening weekend is the immediate and undeniable impact of Eastern's freshmen. Freshman setter Lina Govoni directed the offense with poise, while middle blocker Maddie Herman and hitter Nattie Slusher established themselves as major threats.
Furthermore, the Eagles have established an aggressive defensive identity. Across the three matches, EMU recorded 37 total team blocks and wore down opponents with a relentless service game.
While the road ahead in the MAC will be challenging, Eastern Michigan has officially put the conference on notice. The Eagles have shown that they are not a team to be overlooked. If the USI Invitational is any indication, the 50th season of EMU volleyball is going to be one for the history books.
