Bulls Off to Historic Start in MAC Play with 5-1 Record

Friday, October 6

Buffalo, N.Y.

6 p.m.

15-3,5-1MAC

Eastern Michigan

2-17,0-7MAC

Eastern Mich.

Buffalo

Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UBBulls.com

Bulls Off to Historic Start in MAC Play with 5-1 Record

10/6/2023 9:01:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Zach Monell

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo women's volleyball team (15-3, 5-1 MAC) stampeded by the Eastern Michigan Eagles (2-17, 0-7 MAC) in straight sets, 25-17, 25-23, 25-9. The 5-1 start in MAC play is their best start in program history.

UB improved to 11-2 on the season when two Bulls have at least 10 kills. In back-to-back matches, Katrin Trebichavska led the way with 12 kills followed by Courtney Okwara. Okwara now leads the nation in hitting percentage as she finished with 10 kills on 13 attempts and no errors, good for a rate of .769. That marks a career-high match percentage for the fifth-year middle blocker.

Mandy Leigh averaged 11.33 assists per set on the night as Maurine Calande added a team-high 10 digs. Stacia Gollogly got in on the MACtion adding six kills for the Bulls.

Unlike last night against Central Michigan, UB was able to have their way against Eastern Michigan. In the early stages of the first set, it was a close match. Once it reached the media timeout, the Bulls led 15-8. UB hit at a solid rate of .375 while limiting the Eagles to 11 kills.

Statistically, the second set was UB's worst set on the night. They had 13 kills and a hitting percentage of .273 and four service errors. The Eagles found themselves down eight at 18-10, but they stormed back to make it a 24-23 UB lead. Trebichavska ended the Eagles' hopes of winning a set with a kill as the Bulls took it, 25-23.

The Bulls shut down the Eagles in the third set. Despite just having two blocks in the set, UB swarmed the net as Eastern Michigan finished with a .000 hitting percentage. They could only muster four kills to UB's 13. M. Leigh, Maria Futey, and Julianna Lopez each had a service ace in the set. The Bulls finished the evening with 11 aces. UB won the set 25-9. This was the second time on the season UB didn't allow an opponent to score more than 10 in a set.

"We did a good job from the service line, I think we did that tonight," stated Head Coach Scott Smith. "We wanted to improve on our first touch in services so we can get our offense really going. Courtney [Okwara] has been a staple for us, she's been really effective all year. She's number one in the nation [in hitting percentage] for a reason. You know she jumps way higher than a lot of people, but she's making really good contact with balls away."

The Bulls are back in action next Friday at Toledo for a two-game series.