Eastern Illinois University Athletics

CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Panthers clinched their third win of the season tonight against Chicago State in five sets, (25-19, 22-25, 22-25, 25-19, 15-10). Morgan Matusik had a career-high game with 18 kills on the night. 

How It Happened:  In the first set alone, there were five lead changes and the score was tied seven times. The Cougars struck first but the Panthers took the next point to tie it up. EIU would go on a 5-0 run to take its first lead of the set. Chicago State had a 5-0 of their own to pull themselves back within two. The Panthers would go on and win five of the last eight points led by Matusik to take set one.

In the second set, the Cougars got off to a fast start with two aces in a row to stun the Panthers. They would go on a 3-0 run to take control of the set early on. EIU tried to get back into the set with a 5-0 run led by Morgan Matusik but came up short as the Cougars took set two by three points.

Throughout the third set there were four lead changes and the score was tied ten times. The Cougars drew first blood but the Panthers would go on a 4-0 run to take the lead of the set. Chicago State would counter that run with a run of their own to take the lead back from EIU. Ultimately the Panthers would lose the third set by three points.

The Panthers started out the fourth set with their first opening set point of the match to take the lead. The Panthers would go on a 10-0 run to take control of the set led by Matusik with three kills. EIU would go on to win that set by six points.

In the final set, the Panthers could not have gotten a better start to the fifth set. The Panthers would go on an 8-0 run to take the lead 10-2. The Cougars countered with a 6-0 run that brought them within two points but the Panthers prevailed as they took the set by five points and the match.

Who Stood Out: Morgan Matusik had a career-high game with 18 kills as she led the Panthers with Maggie Runge right behind her with 17. Kylie Michael had a double-double with 15 kills and 27 digs. Bailey Chandler added 50 assists with three kills on the night. The team as a whole had seven blocks and had 67 kills.

Up Next: The Panthers face off against UT Martin for the second time this season at home on Friday (Nov. 15) at 6 p.m. in Lantz Arena.