Boxscore #1 (PDF) | Boxscore #2 (PDF)  | Tourney Stats (PDF)

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Opening the season at the two-day Indiana State Classic, Panther volleyball dropped consecutive matches, first to Miami (Ohio) in four sets prior to losing a three-set affair to the host Sycamore squad.

Set scores for both were 25-14, 20-25, 25-17, 25-12 versus the RedHawks and 25-10, 25-14, 25-14 to the ISU unit.

Versus Miami, newcomer Katie Kirby led all Panthers with eight kills, while juniors Emily Franklin and Alison Berens chipped in seven and six put-aways, respectively.  Berens nailed two aces to lead the squad.

Senior setter Chrissie Albers dished out 23 assists, while her classmate, Brittany Wallace, finished with 11 digs as the starting libero. Franklin also had a fine digging game with 12.

Another freshman, Kelsey Roggeman, tied Albers with two blocks apiece as the Panthers were out-blocked by the Redhawks, eight-to-four.

Not in the lineup to start the season was 2010 OVC All-Newcomer honoree and 2011 Preseason All-OVC player Reynae Hutchinson.  The sophomore outside hitter was sidelined due to illness but is expected to be cleared for practice on Monday.

Against the Sycamores (2-0), EIU hit negative (-.023) with just 18 kills, while the Sycamores had a blistering .330.  ISU won the blocking game as well with the six-to-three advantage.

Newcomer Kelsey Roggemann led all Panthers with five kills, while Wallace and Franklin each upped six ISU attacks.
 
Eastern will return to the court at 8:30 am to face Chicago State, before finishing up tourney action by meeting Coppin State for the first time ever, with first serve set for 1:30 pm.

...  for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID