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DES MOINES, IOWA. – The Eastern Illinois Volleyball team wrapped up the Drake Bulldogs Tournament with a 10 am match against South Dakota State. South Dakota State was able to battle back and win in five sets Saturday morning.
With the loss, EIU falls to 3-7 on the season.
The first set featured a back-and-fourth battle between EIU and South Dakota State. The Panthers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead to kick off the set. EIU would jump out to a 4-0 run ignited from a
Abby Knight kill. The Jack Rabbits would answer back with two 4-0 runs late in the set to put the pressure on the EIU defense. The Panther defense would stop a pressing Jack Rabbits offense to secure the first set 25-23.
South Dakota State would battle back in the second set to even out the match, winning 25-22. The Jack Rabbits gave themselves a 6-0 run midway through the set to force the Panther coaching staff to take a time out.
The Panthers quickly responded with a 7-0 run to snatch the lead back from the Jack Rabbits. However, the South Dakota State offense led by Sydney Andrews were able to grab the lead and the set from EIU.
Set three belonged to the Panthers, as they were able to defeat the Jack Rabbits 25-17. The difference maker in the set was an EIU 8-0 run giving them a 20-12 lead. The Panther offense sit for their best percentage in the third set totaling 64%. Bailey led the EIU offense with a set-high five kills.
South Dakota State would force a fifth set with a 25-22 win in the fourth set of the match. South Dakota State would hit for their two highest percentages in the fourth and fifth set with 68% and 77%. The Jack Rabbits battled back to secure the match taking the fifth set from EIU 15-8.
Bailey finished with a team-high 17 kills, 25 digs, three assists, and a block. Knight finished with seven kills, four blocks, three digs, and an assist. Runge finished with 13 kills and four blocks.
The Panthers will travel to Iowa City, Iowa to take on the University of Iowa Sunday Sept. 9 at 2 pm.
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