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

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Eastern Illinois volleyball dropped consecutive matches to end action at the Hoosier Classic on Saturday, losing a five-set thriller to Gonzaga (22-25, 22-25, 25-15, 26-24, 15-5) before being swept by the host Indiana squad (25-10, 25-17, 25-21) in the nightcap.

The two losses move the Panthers to 2-8 overall as EIU finishes up early-season tournament play. Eastern is set to officially open the Ohio Valley Conference slate at home next weekend.

In the early-morning match versus Gonzaga, four different Panthers hit in double figures for the second straight contest, as EIU jumped out to a 2-0 match lead with consecutive 25-22 wins. But the Zags (5-4) clawed back to earn the five-set in dramatic fashion.

Leading the Panther offense yet again was junior Emily Franklin off 15kills and three aces.  Her overall weekend performance once again placed her on the All-Tournament squad, marking her second career honor.

Freshman Katie Kirby earned her second kill-dig double-double of the season off 13 put-aways and 10 ups, plus she led all Panthers with four service aces.

Also earning a duo-duo was senior setter Chrissie Albers via her 46 assists and 10 digs, marking the 13th such performance in her Panther career.

Defensively, Albers led the EIU blocking game with three stuffs while fellow classmate Brittany Wallace recorded 14 digs.

Junior Alison Berens and sophomore Reynae Hutchinson added 10 and 13 kills, respectively, as EIU actually led Gonzaga in total kills (62 to 57), yet lost the attack game by a .292 to .170 advantage to the Zags.

The match, which featured 25 total ties and 14 lead changes, saw Gonzaga also out-dig (67 to 57) and out-block (nine to five) the Panthers, but EIU did win the service game with an 11 to six lead in total aces.

Against the host Indiana squad, nearby Mattoon native Hutchinson led the Panthers with 12 kills and a .346 attack, while Kirby and Franklin chipped in seven and five put-downs, respectively.

The service and blocking game went completely to Indiana as the Hoosiers enjoyed a eight to one ace lead and ten to six stuff advantage.

EIU will enjoy a three-match home stand to start OVC action this coming weekend, hosting arch-rival Southeast Missouri at 7 pm on Friday, followed by a 2 pm Saturday contest versus Murray State. Then on the following Tuesday evening, league newcomer SIU Edwardsville is set to come to town for a 6 pm battle at Lantz Arena.

Final Indiana Hoosier Classic Standings:
1. Indiana ... 3-0
2. Gonzaga ... 2-1
3. Niagara ... 1-2
4. Eastern Illinois ... 0-3

All-Tournament Team:
Caitlin Cox (MVP) - Indiana
Morgan Leach - Indiana
Sam Thrower - Indiana
Meredith Crenshaw - Gonzaga
Terran Poindexter - Gonzaga
Hannah Hedrick - Niagara
Emily Franklin - Eastern Illinois

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