CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Eastern Illinois University volleyball team came up short in another five set match (25-22, 19-25, 17-25, 28-26, 13-15) against SEMO on Friday, as the Panthers see their winning streak end at five games. Chelsea Lee would finish the match with 15 kills, placing herself as EIU's newest member in the 1,000 kills club.  Eastern Illinois falls to 8-3 in the OVC following the loss.

As anticipated, the first set started off neck and neck between EIU and SEMO as the score would be tied on seven different occasions leading up to the scoreboard reading 10-10 due to a pair of Redhawk errors. SEMO would begin to break away from the Panthers however with a 15-11 lead before an EIU timeout. The Panthers were able to regroup following the timeout as Abby Saalfrank put down a kill bringing the Panthers to within one. Allie Hueston would give the Panthers a 21-19 lead late in the set following a kill. SEMO would not go away quietly though, as the two teams saw the score tied once again at 21-21. Kayla Nesbitt would give the Panthers the lead once again with a kill, as a Josie Winner kill would seal up the first set in favor or Eastern Illinois 25-22.

EIU appeared as if they would runaway with the second set as they earned four of the first five points in the set. SEMO would storm back and find themselves ahead 8-5 before a Panther timeout. Lee would tie the set up at 15-15 with a kill of her own before a Redhawk timeout. The timeout would be beneficial for SEMO as they would score the next four points, and finish the second set by a score of 25-19.

SEMO would jump out to an early lead to begin the third set, but a Taylor Smith service ace tied the score at 14-14. SEMO would then go on another run, scoring six straight points to lead 20-14. EIU would try to start a comeback, but could not complete it however as SEMO would take the third set 25-17.

The two teams would trade leads throughout the first few points until a kill by Josie winner and a pair of service aces from Stephanie Wallace gave the Panthers a 12-10 lead. The lead would only last for a moment however, as SEMO would tie the fourth set up at 14-14. A pair of kills from Lee gave the Panthers a late 21-17 lead, and appeared as if they would force a game five. SEMO would once again to go ahead 26-25. An EIU timeout was just what the Panthers needed as Maria Brown would start the three point streak for Eastern with a kill as the Panthers would force a fifth set, winning the fourth by a score of 28-26.

The Panthers were the victors in the five set affair in an October 17 meeting between the two teams at Eastern Illinois. SEMO would come out on top this time however with a 15-13 victory. SEMO began the fifth set with a 11-4 lead. A Nicole Schladt service ace brought the Panthers to within four. Lee would tie the set up at 13-13 with a kill, but SEMO would take the next two points to clinch the fifth set.

Lee (15), Hueston (12), Smith (11), and Nesbitt (10) all finished with double-digit kill marks for the Panthers. Wallace and Anne Hughes paced the EIU defense finishing with 16 and 15 digs respectively. Smith earned her sixth triple-double of the season, as she added 34 assists and 11 digs to go along with her 11 kills.

"Tonight was a tough loss for us. The girls fought hard to take it to five sets, and to come back when down 11-4 (in the fifth set). Both of our middles did a great job attacking the ball in transition, and the setters did a good job distributing. Taylor Smith had another triple-double on the night for us" said Coach Wolinski after the match.

The Panthers will look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon (Oct. 31), as they visit UT Martin for another OVC contest at 2 p.m.