Eastern Kentucky University’s women’s volleyball program continues to cement its reputation as a top mid‑major team. The Colonels arrived at Thursday’s road contest with an 11‑match winning streak, a 16‑2 overall record and an unbeaten 6‑0 mark in United Athletic Conference play.
Scheduling boldness paying off
Head coach Johnna Bazzani explained that the team’s early‑season schedule was deliberately tough. “I think I tested us a little bit in scheduling in the preseason and scheduling tougher teams,” Bazzani told LEX Sports. “To be the best, you have to beat the best and that’s exactly what we did. And I think we are just so consistent right now.”
The Colonels faced five opponents that finished the previous season in the top‑50 and three that earned NCAA Tournament bids. That aggressive slate helped EKU finish three straight seasons with 20 or more wins for the first time in two decades, thrusting the program into the national conversation.
National recognition
EKU’s RPI ranking jumped nine spots to a program‑best No. 46, placing the Colonels in the top‑50 of the 348‑team Division I field. The ranking puts them ahead of traditional powerhouses such as Mississippi State, Cincinnati, Auburn, LSU, Duke, Ole Miss, Ohio State and Notre Dame.
Emilee Hill: the team’s engine
At the heart of the success is senior setter Emilee Hill, whose versatility has drawn national attention. Hill told reporter Noah Cierzan, “I always tell people I’m a setter first. That’s my main priority, and I’m lucky enough that I get to start setting for the first rotation, and then I’ll switch to hitting. I feel like I have a better view on it than maybe the outsides would because I can do both and I can see both sides.”
Hill’s impact is evident in the numbers. She leads EKU in assists, ranks second in kills, and has recorded five triple‑double performances this season—more than any other player in the NCAA. Her career total of 20 triple‑doubles underscores her all‑around skill.
Last season Hill earned the ASUN Player of the Year award, a honor she retained after EKU’s move to the United Athletic Conference. Preseason polls again listed her as the conference’s projected player of the year.
Team culture and upcoming games
Hill emphasized the collaborative nature of volleyball: “It’s just such a unique team sport because everybody’s job relies on somebody else’s. You can be a great individual player, but you still have to be good for your teammates and they have to be good for you in order to work as a well‑oiled machine.”
The Colonels will try to extend their streak with a Thursday night road match at West Georgia, then return to Baptist Health Arena for a senior‑day showdown against Abilene Christian on Saturday at noon.
“You might not look at us and be like, ‘oh they’re as big as Kentucky,’ but we can play right up there with them,” Hill said. “We’re just a really solid team, and I would love for people to come out and support us.”
The Thursday contest will be broadcast on ESPN+, giving fans across the region a chance to watch EKU continue its push for a conference title.
Original reporting: LEX18 Lexington (local) — read the source article.
