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CHARLESTON, Ill. - The Eastern Illinois volleyball team close out the second day of the Panther Invitational against Valparaiso. Valparaiso was able to hold off the Panthers defeating EIU 3-1 (25-20, 20-25, 25-20, and 25-13).

With the loss, EIU drops to 1-2 on the season.

The first set featured the most back and forth play between the two teams with EIU and Valpo exchanging leads for a match-high two times, and seven ties. Allison Ketcham powered the Valpo offense with a set-high five kills. Maggie Runge led the Panthers with four kills in the set.

EIU battled back to steal the second set from Valpo 25-20. The Panthers jumped out to a 5-0 run early ignited by a Taylor Smith kill. EIU kept the Valpo offense in check not allowing a lead change throughout the set. Runge led the EIU defense with two blocks. Laurel Bailey helped give the Panthers the offensive push they needed with a set leading five kills.

Alison Ketchem took over the Valpo offense in the third set with a set leading six kills. Valpo was able to hold off the Panthers 25-20 in the third set. The fourth set featured a close battle until late in the match when the
Valpo offense was able to string together a couple of late runs to take the set. Valpo jumped out to a 6-0 run kicked off by a Peyton McCarthy kill that would lead to Valpo securing the match.

Smith earned her first double-double of the season with a team-high 11 kills and 15 digs. Bailey earned her second double-double of the season finishing with ten kills and 15 digs.

The Panther Invitational will wrap up tomorrow with EIU closing out the tournament against Iona at 12 pm.
 
Valparaiso 3, Iona 0
Valpo took over the first match on the second day of the Panther Invitational sweeping Iona 3-0. Katherine Carlson and Peyton McCarthy led the Valpo offense with eight kills each. On the defensive side of the court, McCarthy led with seven blocks. Claire Archibald led the Gaels offense with 16 kills.
 
Fresno State 3, St. Francis 2
Fresno State was able to secure the Panther Invitational championship by defeating St. Francis 3-2. Taylor Slover and Jessica Gilbert led the Bulldogs in kills with 17 each. Madelyn Halteman earned herself a double-double with 40 assists and 15 digs. Madi Tyus led St. Francis in kills with 17 points.
 
Iona 3, St. Francis 0
Iona was able to bounce back from their loss earlier in the day with a sweep against St. Francis. Claire Archibald helped give the Gaels the offensive push they needed earning a double-double with team-high 11 kills and 11 digs.  Mia Bonsignore and Karla Johnson led the defensive side of the court for Iona totaling five blocks each. Nicole Adams led the St. Francis offense with 11 kills.