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YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO. – Eastern Illinois lost its first two matches of the Youngstown Red and White Invitational to Central Michigan and Youngstown State. After these two losses the Panthers fall to 0-11 this preseason. The Panthers return to action Saturday (Sept 21) against Robert Morris at 10 a.m.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN 3 – EASTERN ILLINOIS 2
 
In the first match of the day for the Panthers they took on Central Michigan and lost 3-2 (25-22, 25-19, 20-25, 17-25, 13-15). 

The first set opened close as the teams were trading punches until EIU started to pull away with a 4-0 run led by Maggie Runge. Central Michigan came back quickly as they capitalize on multiple Panther mistakes. Runge was 6 for 8 in attack attempts as she led the Panthers past Central Michigan in the first set with six kills.

In the second set it was all tied up at 12-12 until Ireland Hieb had a pair of kills to separate the Panthers from the Chippewas and went on a 5-0 run. Hieb continued her dominance at the net and scored four of the last five points and helped the Panthers past CMU in the second set by six points.
 
In the third set Central Michigan took control of the set after a Cunningham error. The Chippewas went on a 4-0 run to pull away from the Panthers. The Panthers couldn't find there rhythm and end up losing the set by five. In the fourth set Central Michigan kept the momentum going in the fourth set and went on a 9-0 run dominating the panthers to push the match to set five.

In the final set the Chippewas got off to a strong start with a 3-0 lead, the Panthers were able to tie it up and take the lead back but Central Michigan was just to strong and took the final set.
 
The Panthers were led by Ireland Hieb with 16 kills and Maggie Runge who had 12 kills and led the team in blocks with seven. Laurel Bailey was close to a double-double with eight kills and 21 digs.

The Chippewas were led by Kalina Smith and Anna Erickson both with 11 kills. Megan Sivertsen led the team defensively with five blocks.
 
YOUNGSTOWN STATE 3, EASTERN ILLINOIS 1
 
In the second match of the day for the Panthers lost to host Youngstown, 3-1 (25-20,19-25,25-23, 25-22).
 
In the first set, it was back and forth until the Penguins took a four point lead at 18-14. Sommer, Chandler, Heib and Runge all had two kills to try and take control of the set but never could get the ball to fall their way.
 
In the second set the Panthers took control with a three point run in the middle of the set. The Penguins tied it up at 16-16 but the Panthers were too strong as Katie Sommer scored the last point for EIU to take the second set.
In the third set Youngstown took an early three point lead but the Panthers were able to tie it up quickly. Youngstown was able to capitalize off of some of the Panthers errors to win set three. In the fourth set the Penguins and the Panthers were trading punches but after YSU went on a 5-0 run the Panthers couldn't get their footing back.

The Panthers were led by Katie Sommer who recorded 12 kills and five blocks. Bailey Chandler led the team in assist with 23. The Penguins were led by Aleah Hughes with 12 kills and 10 digs. Erin Kalahar was a force at the net with five blocks and Alexia Byrnes had 36 assists.