Box Score
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Clarksville, Tenn. - #7 EIU took on #2 SIUE in the first round of the OVC Tournament Thursday afternoon. The Panthers beat the Cougars winning a four-set match 3-1 (25-27, 21-25, 19-25, and 25-20).
The Panther win marks the eighth time in EIU history that the team has reached the semi-finals, and the first time since 2014.
After SIUE was able to rally from being down four in the first set, EIU was able to take control and take the next three sets to win the match and advance to the second round. With the win #7 EIU is set to face #3 Murray State Nov. 17 at 2:30 p.m.
The Panthers hit for their best average in second set hitting a .205 average. Leading the Panthers in kills with 13 in the match was
Allie Hueston. Also helping out offensively was
Gina Furlin who led EIU in assists with 22.
Taylor Smith was able to help the Panthers on both ends of the court grabbing her thirteenth double-double of the season finishing with 16 assists and 20 digs. Defensively leading the Panthers were
Anne Hughes who picked up a team-high 21 digs, and Maggie Runge who claimed a team-high six blocks.
SIUE was able to take the first set which featured a set-high eight tie scores and four lead changes as the two teams constantly exchanged points throughout the set. The Panthers jumped out to a 4-0 run off a Smith kill midway through the set. However, SIUE would fire back with the help of set leader Jackie Scott who led the Cougars with five kills in the set.
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