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Charleston, Ill. – The Eastern Illinois volleyball team played host to OVC opponent Belmont Saturday afternoon. The Bruins defeated the Panthers in four sets.

With the loss, EIU drops to 9-18 and 4-8 in the OVC.

Belmont came out aggressive in the opening sets with a fast-paced offensive push. The Bruins hit for their best hitting percentage of the afternoon in the first set at 68%.  Belmont would keep the momentum into the second set, as they would hit for their second highest percentage at 65%. Taylor Smith led the Panther offense in the first set with a team-high four kills. Taylor Floyd and Alexa Nichols led the Belmont offense in the second set with seven kills each.

EIU came out of the break with an aggressive presence on the court in the third set. The Panthers were able to jump out to an early 3-0 run on a Maggie Runge. EIU was able to string together several runs throughout the set to keep Belmont on their heels. The Panthers defeated the Bruins 25-22 to force a fourth set.

Belmont was able to secure the match winning the fourth set 25-20. The difference maker of the set was a 5-0 Bruin run ignited by a Mary Catherine Ball kill. The Panthers would attempt a comeback but fell short in the end.

Smith earned her second consecutive triple-double and second on the season finishing with 16 assists, 11 digs, and 11 kills. Runge finished with seven kills and five blocks.

The Panthers will travel to Martin, Tennessee to face OVC opponent UT Martin Friday November 2.