Volleyball Comes Back for Five-Set Win Over Eastern Michigan

Friday, October 9

Buffalo, N.Y.

6 p.m.

University at Buffalo

10-6,2-3MAC

Eastern Michigan

8-9,2-3MAC

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Eastern Mich.	25	25	25	17	10	2
Buffalo	22	27	22	25	15	3

Match Notes

Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UB Athletics

Volleyball Comes Back for Five-Set Win Over Eastern Michigan

10/9/2026 10:21:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Zach Monell

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo women's volleyball team (10-6, 2-3 MAC) defeated the Eastern Michigan Eagles (8-9, 2-3 MAC) on Friday evening in five sets, 22-25, 27-25, 22-25, 25-17, 15-10. The win snapped their three-match losing streak.

Buffalo's offense was led by Manoela Forlin as she finished with a season-high 23 kills. She finished with 24.5 points, also a season high. Angelina Siepierski and Abbie Willis rounded out Buffalo's attack with 14 and 13 kills, respectfully.

For the second time this season, Buffalo had three players record double-doubles in the same match. Forlin added 15 digs to go with her 23 kills. Siepierski tallied 14 kills and 14 digs as Maddie Mitchell had 25 assists and 16 digs in three sets played.

Buffalo is now 6-0 when they have three players finish a match with 10+ kills each.

Neither team had a solid hitting percentage, but the Bulls held the edge, .157 to .105.

Mitchell and Sadie Gladhill both had a pair of aces on the evening as the squad finished with six. In two sets of action Michal Benaim had 19 assists.

SET 1 | Eastern Michigan controlled the first set as they led by as many as nine points at 22-13. Buffalo fought back with a 7-0 run with Willis on the serve. After calling a timeout, the Eagle slammed the door taking the set, 25-22.

SET 2 | The second set featured 15 ties and eight lead changes. Buffalo trailed 15-12 at the media timeout but then propelled to take the lead following a 7-2 run. Eastern Michigan called a timeout which went in their favor as they took the lead back shortly after. The Eagles had their opportunity to win the set leading 24-23, but the Bulls won 27-25.

SET 3 | The Eagles had the early momentum as Buffalo had to burn a timeout trailing 9-4. The timeout shifted the momentum into the Bulls' favor as they trailed 15-14 at the media timeout. Eastern Michigan's offense came out of the break on fire as they pushed their lead to 22-16. Buffalo fought off three set points, but fell 25-22.

SET 4 | Buffalo had their way with the Eagles in the fourth set as they had a .300 hitting percentage, a match high, to go with their 15 kills. Eastern Michigan was down by just three at the media timeout, but the Bulls doubled up on points the rest of the set to win 25-17 and force the fifth set. Forlin had eight kills in the set.

SET 5 | Buffalo's momentum carried over into the final set of the evening. Buffalo got out to the early lead as the Eagles called a timeout trailing 6-4. Buffalo then forced another timeout leading 9-5. The set was practically even the rest of the way as the Bulls won 15-10. Forlin and Siepierski both had four kills.

"It is great to come out of this match with a win in five," stated Head Coach Scott Smith. "We had a very rough start offensively and we looked uncertain how to fix it at times. Each set got a little better but we didn't really find our rhythm until the 4th set. Our attitude really shifted for the better, and it was a lot of fun to watch them finish the match strong. Both sides had to work deep into the bench, so I am sure we are in for another battle tomorrow night."

The Bulls and Eagles will have a rematch tomorrow at 4 p.m. with coverage on ESPN+.

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