• Eastern Illinois picked up their first win of the season at the Red and White Invitational at Youngstown State this past weekend.

• The Panthers dropped their tournament opener against Central Michigan in five sets, in the second match of the invitational they lost to invitational host Youngstown State in four sets. On the last day of the invitational the Panthers won their first match of the season in five sets against Robert Morris.

• Eastern Illinois will open Ohio Valley Conference play at home against Murray State.

• The match at home will be take place on Friday at 6 p.m.
• The Panthers will return to action the next day Saturday (Sept. 28) at noon.

• LIVE STATS
 
2019 OVC OPENER AT HOME
... all times central
 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
EIU vs Murray State ... 6 p.m.  ... Watch ESPN+

SATURDAY, SPETEMBER 28
EIU vs Austin Peay … 12 p.m. ... Watch ESPN+

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CUNNINGHAM NAMED ALL-TOURNEY HONORS
• Madison Cunningham was named to the All-tournament team following her performance this past weekend at the Red and White Invitational.

• During the Red and White Invitational she recorded 77 digs over three matches. She had 24 digs against Central Michigan, 27 at Youngstown State and 26 versus Robert Morris. 
 
• Cunningham leads the team in digs with 220 and has a 4.49 digs per set, she also has 10 aces when serving. She moved up two spots to number four on the OVC leader board in digs. 

• After her performance at the Red and White Invitational she was named OVC Defensive Player of the Week. This is the first time she has been named OVC Player of the Week


PANTHERS RANKED IN OVC TOP 10
• Entering this week's competition, the EIU volleyball team has three members – Maggie Runge, Bailey Chandler and Madison Cunningham -- ranked in the top 10 in the OVC in three different statistical categories.

• Runge is currently ranked fourth in hitting percentage with 3.37 kills per set. She is currently leading the team in overall kills with 107. Runge is leading the team in blocks with Kylie Michael who both has 39 blocks.


• Chandler is ranked sixth in assists with 408 and has a 8.33 assists per set average. She currently leads the team in assists.

•.Cunningham moves up two spots from last week to number four for digs. She has a total of 220 digs and has a 4.49 digs per set average.


SCOUTING THE RACERS
• The Panthers were selected to finish 11th in the conference, with Murray State picked to finish first in the preseason polls.

• Murray State enters the match with an overall record of 6-6 this season.

• EIU is 24-27 overall against Murray State losing the last six times they have faced the Racers.

• Rachel Giustino is leading the Racers in kills and is first in the OVC with 247, she also leads her her team in blocks with 14. Ashley McBee is leading her team in assists with 479 and is ranked third in the OVC for assists.
 
SCOUTING THE GOVERNORS
• Austin Peay is picked to finish second in the preseason polls.

• Austin Peay enters the match this Saturday with a 2-12 record.  

• The series between EIU and Austin Peay is all tied up at 23-23 with the Panthers losing the past four matches against Austin Peay

•Brook Moore is leading the Governors in kills with 162 which ranks seventh in the OVC. Karli Graham is a force at the net with 35 blocks; Caroline Waite is leading the team in assists with 276 which puts her 10th in the OVC for assists.

UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS
• Following the OVC openers at home the Panthers will be on the road at SIUE on Wednesday (Oct. 2) at 6 p.m.