Charleston, Ill. – Eastern Illinois volleyball played host to Tennessee State in an OVC conference matchup Saturday afternoon. The Panthers beat the Tigers winning a four-set match (25-15, 25-22, 23-25, and 25-15).

The Panthers showed aggressiveness early dominating the first set. Katie Sommer led the Panthers offense with three of her ten kills in the match. Anne Hughes helped keep the Panthers defense in check claiming six of her team-high 21 digs.

The Second set featured a more balanced matchup as Tennessee State put pressure on the EIU defense. The Panthers were able to hold off the roaring Tiger offense and claim the second set by a score of 25-22.

Tennessee State and EIU would total the most tie scores and lead changes in the third set of the match posting five ties and three lead changes. The Tigers hit for their best total of the match hitting for an average of .297 that would be able to spoil the Panthers sweep. Leading the Tigers offense on the day was Rachel Henderson who led the team with 21 kills on the day.

EIU would fire back in the fourth set beating the Tigers 25-15. The Panthers hit for their best average of the match hitting .464. The Panthers took a 6-0 run late in the set ignited by a Kylie Hayes service error and never looked back. Leading offensively in the set for the Panthers was Taylor Smith, Laurel Bailey, and Maggie Runge who all had three kills each.

Smith was able to claim her ninth double-double of the season and seventh consecutive double-double match finishing with 11 kills and a team-high 27 assists. Bailey led the Panthers in kills posting 12. Smith and Allie Hueston each totaled three blocks leading the Panthers defensively.

The Panthers return to action Friday night when they will host Southeast Missouri in an OVC conference showdown at 7 p.m.