Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)

CHARLESTON, Ill. – As the Panthers come up short against Tennessee State losing in four sets (16-25, 20-25, 25-16, 11-25). Morgan Matusik and Maggie Runge came up big for the Panthers with 11 kills each on the night.

How It Happened: In the opening set the Tigers got out to a fast start but the Panthers stopped the bleeding before TSU could pull away fully. The Panthers kept it within two at all times until the Tigers started to pull away at point 15. TSU ended up earning four out of the last five points to take set one.

The second set began with Tennessee State taking the first two points. The Tigers would go on multiple 3-0 runs to take control of the set. The Panthers tried to make a comeback led by two aces from Laurel Bailey but the Tigers were too strong as they went on to win set two by five points.

In the third set, the Panthers saw their first lead of the night early. Laurel Bailey added two more aces to bring the Panthers lead up to three. The Panthers would go on a 4-1 run to take control in the middle of the set. EIU would go on to win five of the last eight points to take the set 25-16.

Just like in the other sets the Tigers would draw blood first and keep the lead throughout the set. The Tigers would go on a 5-0 run to gain control of the set and would keep control. The Panthers tried to make a comeback late in the set but were unable to come up with the win. The Tigers would go on to win the set and the match.

Who Stood Out: Maggie Runge and Morgan Matusik both came up big for the Panthers with 11 kills each. Laurel Bailey ended the night with four aces, ten digs, and six kills. Bailey Chandler led the team in assists with 40 and she added two kills. The team as a whole had a total of four blocks. 

Up Next: The Panthers face off against Chicago State in a non-conference match up on Monday (Nov. 11) at 6 p.m. in Lantz Arena.