• Eastern Illinois dropped their first Ohio Valley Conference match of the season in three sets at SIUE on Wednesday night. 

• Lindsey Powers led the Panthers with 10 digs in the match at SIUE.

• The Panthers will look to even their conference record this weekend as they will welcome Belmont to Lantz Arena. 

• Belmont was selected as the preseason favorite to win the Ohio Valley Conference. 

• The match against Belmont will take place Friday night at 6 p.m.  

• Live stats will be available at eiupanthers.com with live video also available on the OVC Digital Network.
 
2016 OVC HOME OPENER VS BELMONT
... all times central
 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
EIU vs. Belmont ... 6 p.m.


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PANTHERS RANKED IN OVC TOP 10
• Following Wednesday night's match at SIUE, the EIU volleyball team has three members -- Abby Knight, Maggie Runge, and Taylor Smith -- ranked in the top 10 in the OVC in three different statistical categories.

• Runge, who has totaled 66 blocks this past season, continues to hold the top mark in the OVC in blocks-per-set. Runge averages 1.25 blocks-per-set.

• Knight tied for a team-high of two total blocks at SIUE on Wednesday night. Knight has recorded 55 total blocks on the season and ranks seventh in the OVC in blocks-per-set at an even 1.00 average.

• Smith leads the conference as well as NCAA Division I in triple-doubles. Smith recorded her sixth triple-double this season against Troy when she finished the match with 11 kills, 11 assists, and 12 digs. Smith is one triple-double shy of tying her total from last season of seven.

• As a team, Eastern Illinois ranks among the top 10 in the OVC in three different categories. The Panthers hold the second best blocks-per-set average at 2.38. The opposition for EIU is hitting at a mark of .190 which ranks as the fifth lowest in the conference. At 14.25 digs-per-set, Eastern Illinois holds the eight best mark in the league.

QUOTING COACH WOLINSKI
Coach Wolinski on the Panther's OVC home opener against Belmont-- "This is great opportunity for us to face-off against the number one ranked preseason team in the OVC at home this Friday in Lantz.  We are looking forward to playing in front of our family and friends who have been out to support us in full force this season so far while celebrating Family Weekend here at EIU."

SCOUTING THE BRUINS
• The Bulldogs enter tonight's game with an overall record of 7-4 this season and 1-0 in the OVC after defeating Tennessee State in straight sets on Tuesday night.

• Belmont holds a 6-0 advantage in the all-time series against Eastern Illinois and won the only meeting between the two teams last season 3-1 on Oct. 3, at Belmont.

• Arianna Person is the player to watch for the Bruins on the offensive end as she leads the Belmont attack. Person has totaled 140 kills this season and averages 3.68 kills-per-set. 

• Ellie Ivancich will look to hold the Panthers offense in check as she is the team leader in digs for Belmont. Ivancich has totaled 113 digs this season and averages 2.97 digs-per-set.

UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS
• Following their OVC home opener against Belmont on Friday, Eastern Illinois will travel to their I-70 rival, Indiana State, in a non-conference match on Tuesday (Sept. 27).