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CHARLESTON, Ill- The Eastern Illinois Volleyball team squared off against St. Francis in the second game of the Panther Invitational Friday afternoon. Eastern Illinois swept St. Francis to give head coach Julie Allen her first career win with the Panthers, winning by scores of 25-21, 25-21, and 25-23.
With the win, EIU improves to 1-0 to open the season.

The beginning of the first set started with both teams trading points. Once the set hit double-digits, the Panthers were able to take lead and hold off the Red Flash throughout the set. Sophomore Laurel Bailey and junior Lexi May led the EIU offense with three kills each. May also contributed on the defensive side of the court with a team leading two blocks.

The Panthers controlled the second set not allowing the Red Flash to take the lead in the set. EIU would have their highest hitting percentage of the match in the second set hitting 68%. EIU broke out with their highest run of the match in the second set jumping out to a 7-0 run kicked off by a Nicole Adams attacking error. Maggie Runge picked up six of her team-leading nine blocks in the second set. Bailey once again controlled the offensive side of the court for the Panthers racking up a set-leading four kills for EIU.

St. Francis put pressure on EIU in the third set with a match-high four lead changes, and ten ties. Emily Pieper led the Red Flash with five kills in the set. The Panthers battled back in the set to secure the sweep against St. Francis. Katie Sommer took control of the set having a set-high seven kills. Abby Knight collected three blocks for the Panther defense.

Bailey finished with a team-high 13 kills, 19 digs, two aces, and a block. Sommer finished with 10 kills with a team-high .450 hitting percentage, and two blocks. Runge had nine blocks and three kills.

EIU will close out the first day of the Panther Invitational taking on Fresno State at 7 pm.
 
Fresno State 3, Valpo 2
In the opening match of the Panther Invitation, Fresno State defeated Valpo 3-2.

Fresno State was able to battle back to capture the first game of the tournament from Valpo. Taylor Slover led the Fresno State attack totaling 16 kills in the match. Montez Uigaese led the Bulldogs defense with five blocks. Peyton McCarthy had a strong offensive showing for Valparaiso with 17 kills.