*Eastern Illinois will travel to Murray State and Austin Peay to open up OVC play this weekend.
*The Panthers just closed out the Indiana State Tournament finishing in first place with a record of 2-0. EIU was able to finish first sweeping Cal State Fullerton 3-0, and then coming back from a 2-1 deficit to win 3-2.
*EIU looks to take this momentum on the road to start off strong in OVC play. The Panthers seek to improve their last season OVC record of 2-14. EIU is off to a great start already surpassing their wins last year with a record of 6-6 on the season thus far.
*The Panthers will face Murray State on Friday night and Austin Peay Saturday afternoon.

 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
EIU at Murray State ... 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
EIU at Austin Peay ... 2 p.m.
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ALL-TOURNAMENT FRENZY
EIU was able to have three players earn all-tournament team honors at the Indiana State Tournament. Allie Hueston, Maggie Runge, and Taylor Smith all earned the honor of representing the first place Panthers on the all-tournament team.

Hueston closed out the tournament recording a total of 24 kills with a three kills-per-set average, a service ace, and six blocks. Runge finished the tournament with 18 kills with a 2.25 kills-per-set average, a service ace, and four blocks. Smith finished with 16 kills, 41 assists with a 5.12 assist-per-set average, two service aces, 21 digs, and five blocks.

All three have earned their second spot on an all-tournament team this season. Hueston being named to the Indiana State Tournament, and Panther Invitational all-tournament teams. Smith earning spots on both the Indiana State Tournament and Pioneer Classic all-tournament teams. Runge claiming spots on the Indiana State Tournament, and Panther Classic all-tournament teams.

HUESTON SETS NEW SEASON HIGH
 Hueston recorded her season-high in three categories this weekend. Kills, points, and aces. Against Indiana State Hueston was able to record her season-high in all three categories. She finished the match with 16 kills, 19 points, and one service ace.

Hueston was an offensive powerhouse this weekend at the Indiana State Tournament leading the Panthers offensively with 24 kills in the tournament. Hueston looks to carry her dominance into OVC action this weekend as the Panthers seek an offensive push to take down Murray State and Austin Peay.
 
SCOUTING THE RACERS & GOVERNORS
EIU will face the likes of Murray State, and Austin Peay in a pair of Ohio Valley Conference matches this weekend.

The Racers enter the weekend sporting a record of 8-4 on the season. EIU leads the all-time series between the two teams at 24-22. Murray State won the two meetings between the two teams last season.
Rachel Giustino is the player to watch for the Racers on the offensive end as she leads the Murray State attack. Giustino has totaled 196 kills on the season and averaged 4.78 kills-per-set.

Lindsay Morgan and Olivia Chatman will look to hold the Panthers offense with their blocks for Murray State. Morgan and Chatman both sit second behind Giustino in blocks with ten totaled blocks each this season.
The Governors enter the weekend with an overall record of 11-2 on the season. EIU currently leads the all-time series between the two teams with a record of 23-19. Austin Peay was able to walk away with the series sweep last season.

Ashley Slay is the player to watch for the Governors on the offensive end as she leads the Austin Peay attack. Slay has totaled 203 kills on the season and averages 3.98 kills-per-set.

Ginny Gerig will look to hold the Panthers offense in check as she is the team leader in digs for the Governors. Gerig has totaled 189 digs this season and averages 4.30 digs-per-set.
 
UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS
Following their two road matches this weekend at Murray State and Austin Peay, the Panthers will return home for a midweek contest against SIUE on Wednesday night.