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Charleston, Ill. – The Eastern Illinois volleyball team opened up their weekend matchups against Southeast Missouri Friday night. The Redhawks were able to outlast the Panthers, defeating EIU in five sets.
EIU drops to 6-12 on the season and 1-2 in the OVC.
EIU came out aggressive to start the first set with a 4-0 run kicked off by an Annie Wehrheim attacking error. The Panthers kept the offensive pressure alive for majority of the set stringing together several runs. SEMO would put together a couple of runs late in the set to steal the lead from the Panthers forcing a win by two scenario. The Redhawks were able to close out the first set with a 3-0 run ignited by a
Kylie Michael attacking error. The second set featured similar play with both teams evening out the court forcing a win by two scenario for the second straight set. SEMOÂ was able to edge away late in the set with a 3-0 run to lead the match two sets to none.
The Panthers came into the third set with a lineup change that would help throw off the Redhawks defense.
Morgan Matusik saw extensive action in the lineup for the third set finishing with four kills and two digs in the set. Similar to the first set EIU was able to string together some early runs; however, the EIU defense totaled five blocks to spoil the Redhawks sweep defeating SEMO 25-21.
EIU opened up the fourth set with a 4-0 run ignited by a Matusik kill. The Panthers would not surrender a single tie or lead change throughout the fourth set. The EIU offense hit for their second highest hitting percentage of the match at 63% in the set.
Abby Knight led the Panthers offense with seven of her team-high 16 kills in the set.
SEMO was able to bounce back and capture the match winning the fifth set 15-11. The Redhawks totaled their highest hitting percentage of the match in the final set hitting for 66%. Laney Malloy led the Redhawks offense with three kills.
Abby Knight finished with a team high 16 kills, .412 hitting percentage, three blocks, and one dig.
Laurel Bailey captured her seventh double-double of the season finishing with 20 digs, 16 kills, four blocks, and three aces.
The Panthers return to action against UT Martin Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.
