Box Score

CHICAGO -- Eastern Illinois volleyball opened the 2012 campaign at the two-day, four-team DePaul Invitational on Friday night, as the Panthers hit past the Blue Demons in a four set affair (25-20, 25-19, 22-25, 25-22).

Seniors Emily Franklin and Alison Berens led all players with 15 and 12 kills, respectively, from the outside and middle attack.

Berens also hit an impressive .435 clip with just two errors, while junior Stephanie Arnold followed at .417 with six kills and just one miscue.

Several newcomers also made the most of their first match in an EIU uniform as the setting duo of Marah Bradbury and Abby Saalfrank ran the Panther offense by tallying respective 21 and 20 assists.  Saalfrank also chipped in seven kills.

Newcomer Stephanie Wallace had a fine night in the back row leading all players on the floor with 25 digs, while Arnold was a force at the net with four blocks.  Classmate Amy Martin and Berens also added a pair of roofs.

For the contest, EIU led DePaul (0-1) in kills (52 to 44), attack (.171 to .122), assists (48 to 39), digs (62 to 52), and a was tops in the service game thanks to an eight-to-one ace advantage.  However, DePaul did win the blocking game behind a ten to six lead.

Vesela Zapryanova led the Blue Demons with 12 kills, while Rachel Aumann posted six total blocks.

Since it was the season-opener for both squads, the two units needed some extra time to get things going in the opening set.  Both teams nailed ten kills apiece in the opener, as the Panthers fired off five aces en route to the 25-20 opening frame victory, hitting .222 in the process.

The second set saw the host squad turn things around and enjoy an early 8-4 lead, forcing EIU to burn a timeout.  But the Panthers countered with a 6-1 run to lead 11-9, which required a break by DePaul.  The Blue Demons slowly countered to knot the score at 14-all, but Eastern rattled off six straight to lead 20-14, as the tough Berens serve forced DePaul off system and led to early EIU put-aways.  Eastern would maintain the five-point lead before eventually enjoying a 2-0 match lead off the 25-19 set two victory.  EIU would dominate the Demons in hitting that frame, .257 to .083.

The two teams played intense sideout ball to begin set three action, as both squads displayed good defense and scrappy ball play.  After the Panthers held a two-point cushion the host squad countered to take a 15-13 lead off a stuff block, forcing EIU to use a timeout.  Kills by Arnold and Hutchinson, plus a crucial Panther block, would end DePaul's mini-run and tie it at 17-all.  Yet a couple of Eastern miscues would give the home team a 20-17 lead and require the Panthers to burn their final timeout of the frame.  A timely Hutchinson kill and nice dump kill by Bradbury would pull EIU to within 22-21 of the hosts.  DePaul would use the block to have a pair of set-points, eventually forcing a fourth frame off the thanks to the 25-22 win.  EIU would be limited to just a .120 attack as compared to a .191 Blue Demon clip.

Tough Panther serves led to DePaul hitting errors, as EIU enjoyed an early 4-1 lead to begin set four.  DePaul would again change the momentum a bit to tie it at five-all, but consecutive off-speed kills by Martin would help EIU lead again at 8-5.  A nice, yet rare kill from the libero position by Wallace gave Eastern the 11-6 lead, forcing the Demons to take a break in the action.  The timeout didn't stop the Panther momentum as EIU continued to enjoy a five-point advantage to lead 17-12, requiring DePaul to burn their final timeout.  This time the break seemed to work as DePaul surged to within 18-17 of Eastern, as the Panthers called a TO.  A wild finish ensued as EIU kept a close 22-21 lead before a late run gave Eastern the 25-22 match win thanks to a DePaul service error.

With the season-opening victory, EIU now enjoys a 19-5 lead in the all-time NCAA Division I series history and have won five straight over the Demons.

EIU will finish up early-season action at the two-day invite Saturday morning, as the Panthers will face Butler at 11:30 a.m. and rival Indiana State at 4:30 p.m.

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