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Denver, Colo.– Eastern Illinois volleyball opened up the Denver Pioneer Classic against Niagara Friday afternoon. The Panthers lost to the Purple Eagles in their first contest of the tournament losing a three-set match
(22-25, 21-25, and 21-25)Â
The Panthers had their best hitting average of the match in the second set totaling .265.
Taylor Smith and
Maria Brown led the Panthers in kills for the day each totaling ten.
The Panthers most dominant set of the day was the second set where they challenged the Purple Eagles tying the set three times, and taking the lead twice. Brown and
Morgan Matusik gave the Panthers the offensive push they were looking for totaling four kills each in the second-set.
Smith recorded her second triple-double of the season finishing with ten kills, a team leading 19 assists, and ten digs.
Niagara was able to put the match away hitting .256 in the final set with just two attack errors. Nicole Matheis led the Purple Eagles with 12 kills. Niagara was effective at the net finishing with six total blocks.
The Panthers return to action to start the second day of the Pioneer Classic against UC Davis at 10 a.m. Following their morning showdown, they will close out tournament play against host Denver at 7 p.m.
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