ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Eastern Illinois University volleyball team looked to bounce back after a pair of losses to begin the Oakland Invitational, but were unsuccessful as they were again defeated twice in day two of the invitational dropping games to Dartmouth (1-3) and Western Michigan (2-3).

Dartmouth 3, EIU 1

In a closely played match all throughout each set, the Dartmouth Big Green had a bit more luck on their side as they were able to defeat the Panthers 3-1 in a four set affair to begin the second day at the Oakland Invitational.

In the first set, both teams kept the game close all throughout as neither team edged the other by more than two points. Chelsea Lee squared the set at 22-22 with a kill, but the Big Green used a pair of kills of their own and finished the set off with a service ace winning 25-23.

It looked as if the Panthers began to hit their stride during the middle part of the second set, as a string of five straight points finished by an Allie Hueston put-down, gave the Panthers a 15-10 lead. That was all the comfort the Panthers needed as they would hold onto that lead as Taylor Smith sealed up the second set, 25-20, victory with a kill.

Lee put the Panthers ahead 18-17 in the third set, but three straight EIU errors shifted the momentum back to the Big Green. Dartmouth took full advantages of the unforced errors, as a late rally to finish of the set gave the Big Green a 25-21 decision.

Dartmouth struck early in the fourth set, but the Panthers would work their way back into the fourth set following a Stephanie Wallace service error leaving EIU trailing by just a point. The Big Green used four kills of their own to clinch the game 25-22, and give themselves a 3-1 match victory.

Lee lead the Panther attack with 12 kills as Abby Saalfrank pitched in 11.

Coach Wolinski discussed her thoughts after the game saying, "Stat wise most everything was pretty even, except for them having eight more kills than us. We need to eliminate some of our service errors, so we are able to push a bigger run on our serve."
 
Western Michigan 3, EIU 2

Heading into their last matchup before starting OVC play next weekend, the Panthers lost a hard fought five set match to the Western Michigan Broncos to close out the Oakland Invitational.

Things started out as a struggle for the Panthers in the first set, as the Broncos earned an early 10-5 lead, and would not let up after that. Kayla Nesbitt brought the Panthers to within four, but the Broncos would rally to take the first set 25-16.

The Panthers worked to a 15-9 lead in the second set following a Hueston kill, but after the Broncos tied the game up at 18-18, the Panthers had no answer. The Broncos went on to win the second set 25-20.

The two squads would alternate leads throughout the third set, but this time it was the Panthers would rally late to earn the set. Josie Winner tied the game up at 24-24, and two Bronco errors gave EIU the third set 26-24.

EIU kept things rolling into the fourth set as Nesbitt added another kill to her total to notch the game at 10-5 in favor of the Panthers. The Broncos would rally to take the lead 21-17, but Taylor Smith helped finish off the Panther comeback to earn the fourth set 27-25.

Western Michigan took full control of the fifth set, as the Panthers were unable to get into any rhythm winning by a score of 15-9.

Five Panthers – Brown (15), Nesbitt (11), Saalfrank (11), Hueston (10), Smith (10) – all finished with double-digit kills. Smith notched another triple-double to her career as she finished with 10 kills, 27 assists, and 10 digs. Brown added 12 digs to go along with her 15 kills to earn herself a double-double.

2015 Oakland Invite All-Tournament Team
MVP - Ohio State #10 Taylor Sandbothe
Ohio State - #14 Elizabeth Campbell
Oakland - #5 Jessica Dood
Oakland - #11 Sammy Condon
Dartmouth - #13 Emily Astarita
Eastern Illinois - #7 Taylor Smith
Western Michigan - #1 Olivia Kofie 
Best Setter - Oakland #2 Ciara Schultz
Best Libero - Ohio State #3 Valeria Leon


The Panthers begin OVC play next weekend, as they take on Tennessee Tech (Sept. 25) and Jacksonville State (Sept. 26) both at home in Lantz Arena.