East Michigan News

Eastern Michigan University Head Volleyball Coach Kevin Foeman announced the addition of five transfers to the 2024 team roster on Monday, June 17.

Joining the Ypsilanti squad with previous college experience are future graduate student Maddie Stayer (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor/Southern Miss./Jacksonville State), upcoming seniors Hannah Blaney (Saline, Mich./Saline/Rhode Island) and Lauren Welch (Union, Ky./Ryle/Ashland), and incoming juniors Bri Struck (Broadlands, Ill./Heritage/Parkland College) and Ella Grasson (Middleburg Heights, Ohio/Padua Franciscan/High Point).

"We have brought in some experienced transfers that we know will mesh well with our already established group of athletes," said Foeman. "This will allow us a chance to be balanced across the board at every position, giving us deep talent. We are looking forward to an extremely competitive gym," he finished.

Arriving in Ypsilanti with four years of experience is graduate student Maddie Stayer, who signed with the Eagles ahead of the start of the spring season.

"Maddie is a veteran player that we were very excited to add to the team this spring," said Foeman. "She is coming to Eastern for her fifth year, and her experience will be relied on heavily this season. Most of her collegiate success has been seen on the right side, but I personally like her ability to both set and hit, and believe she can compete in both positions. Her power as a lefty will allow us to run a quick tempo to the right pin, while her IQ and quick, consistent sets could be utilized to increase the speed and effectiveness of our offense. I believe Maddie will be a crucial addition to our offensive system and provide important leadership and experience," he added.

Hailing from Rhode Island University, Hannah Blaney joins the Eagles as an incoming senior with three years of experience as a Ram.

"A two-year starting libero in the A-10, Hannah will bring needed back row experience to our program," started Foeman. "Coming from local Saline High School, where coach Sidney Clarke started at, it will be fun to see her back in her hometown," he exclaimed. "Hannah is a gritty athlete with an eagerness to learn and compete. She's a quick defender with a natural calm platform and very high motor. She played at a high level her entire college career and put together some really good seasons while competing against similar teams we will see. I am looking forward to seeing her ability in our gym and how she impacts our program this season."

A former Ashland Eagle under Foeman's guidance, Lauren Welch joins the Eastern Michigan Eagles as an incoming senior.

"As another veteran addition, Lauren brings defensive experience from a winning program," mentioned Foeman. "She understands the work required to win on game days and is hungry to make her mark on Eastern volleyball. Having played in plenty of big games and moments, Lauren is confident in tense situations. She has a great locker room presence and is someone who is used to putting in the hours needed to win."

Joining the Eagles after two seasons with Parkland College Cobras is Bri Struck, who also signed with EMU prior to the start of the spring season.

"As an established and highly successful outside hitter, Bri had a monstrous 2023 fall season leading her junior college team to a top-three finish in most major offensive categories in the country," coach explained. "Bri hit .315% as an outside hitter with 627 kills and 445 digs which helped land her on the First-Team All America Team. Bri is an extremely athletic and mechanically sound outside who plays the game hard and loves to compete. Her growth mindset and dedication to her craft will prove vital in our program. We loved getting to know Bri and feel she can make a big difference on and off the court. I am excited and eager to see her compete in our gym," Foeman finished.

Lastly, Ella Grasson joins EMU for the 2024 season as an incoming junior.

"We recruited Ella out of high school and closely followed her career over the last two seasons due to the potential we knew she possessed," stated Coach Foeman. "She is a player who meshes well with us as coaches and people. She competes and trains with tenacity and discipline; she’s a natural-born selfless leader who makes her presence felt on-and-off-court. I believe she is ready to flourish under Coach Dahn's guidance alongside Clarke's mentorship."

The six experienced student-athletes including previously-announced transfer Ella Vorhees combined with eight incoming rookies announced earlier this month are set join seven returners forming complete 21-member roster for 2024 season.

For more information about EMU volleyball visit EMUEagles.com or follow @EMUVolleyball on social media.