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*The Panthers picked up a win on the road at the Denver Pioneer Classic finishing the tournament with a record of 1-2.
*EIU fell in their first match of the tournament to Niagara (3-0), before earning their first victory sweeping UC Davis (3-0) and then falling to Denver (0-3).
*EIU will head back to Lantz Arena this weekend as the Panthers host the EIU Panther Classic.
*EIU will play host to visiting Alabama A&M, Chicago State, Western Illinois. Â
2017 PANTHER CLASSIC SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, September 8
EIU vs. Alabama A&M… 12 p.m.
Chicago State vs. Western Illinois…6 p.m.
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SATURDAY, September 9
Western Illinois vs. Alabama A&M… 10 a.m.
EIU vs. Chicago State…1 p.m.
Chicago State vs. Western Illinois...4 p.m.
EIU vs. Western Illinois…7 p.m.
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DEFENSIVE SERGE
The Panthers head into tournament play this weekend currently leading the conference in blocks with 111.
Helping lead the block party for the Panthers are
Allie Hueston who has a conference leading 30 blocks and
Maggie Runge who is second in the conference with 27.
Anne Hughes also contributes to the Panthers defensive play leading the conference with her 108 digs.
The Panthers look to take their defensive dominance into this weekend's tournament. Â
SMITH ON TOP OF THE NCAA
Taylor Smith was able to record her NCAA Division I leading second triple-double of the season on Saturday against Niagara. Smith was active all over the floor posting a stat line of ten kills, 19 assists and 10 digs.
Smith also recorded her second double-double of the season on Saturday against Denver. She was just shy of her second triple-double of the tournament finishing the match with seven kills, 13 assists, and eleven digs.
Smith looks to carry her all-around play into this weekend's tournament to help give the Panthers the lift they need to take the Panther Classic
SCOUTING THE PANTHER CLASSIC
EIU will open up tournament play against Alabama A&M for the first time in program history. Alabama A&M enters the Panther Classic posting an overall record of 0-4. Leading the Lady Bulldogs is sophomore outside hitter Terra Brooks who totaled 34.5 points with 26 kills in 13 sets. Also helping the Lady Bulldogs offensively is freshman right-side hitter Paris Smith who has a total 24 kills on the season thus far.
Chicago State enters tournament play currently on a three-game win streak posting a record of 4-3. The Cougars and Panthers have had some history together causing this weekend's match-up to be their eleventh time facing each other in program history. The Panthers lead the series by a record of 10-0 against the Cougars. Leading Chicago State so far this season is junior outside hitter Lauryn Dela Cruz who leads the Cougars with 114 kills on the season. Junior outside hitter Carmen Carvajal is second in command offensively posting 105 kills. Lacee Adams is also a key contributor offensively for Cougars who leads the team with a total 295 assists.
Western Illinois enters tournament play with a record of 3-4. The Fighting Leathernecks have had the chance to battle tournament opponent Chicago State earlier in the season during the Hampton Inn Leatherneck Invitational winning 3-0. Western Illinois is no stranger to the Panthers. Both teams have met on the court for a total 33 matches. The Panthers hold an overall record of 21-12 against the visiting Fighting Leathernecks. Players to watch for Western Illinois as they head into tournament play are freshman outside hitter Emma Norris who leads the Fighting Leathernecks with 80 kills. Junior setter Jamie Johnson helps contribute offensively leading the Fighting Leathernecks with 250 assists. Â
UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS
Following the Panther Classic, Eastern Illinois volleyball will travel to Terre Haute, Indiana for the Indiana State Tournament.
The Panthers will face Cal State Fullerton, and Indiana State for the tournament Sept. 16. Â
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