Photo Gallery By Sandy King
CHARLESTON, Ill. --Â Eastern Illinois fell to Murray State in straight-sets (19-25, 15-25, 21-25) in the Ohio Valley Conference opening match for both teams. With the loss, EIU drops to 1-12 and 0-1 in the OVC. The Panthers will return to Lantz Arena on Saturday (Sept. 28) at noon to face Austin Peay.
It was back and forth throughout the first set until Murray State went on a 4-0 run late in the first set. The Panthers tried to counter back but they were unsuccessful and fell to the Racers by six point.
The Racers jumped out front scoring the first two points in the second set before a
Danielle Allen kill put the Panthers on the board. The Panthers kept it close until the Racers went on a 8-0 run to take a commanding lead of EIU. After that it was all Racers the rest of the set.
It was even throughout the first set until the middle of set when the Racers had a serves error and
Laurel Bailey had a pair of kills to put the Panthers up by three. The Racers came back strong to take the lead and take the set 25-21.
Ireland Hieb,
Laurel Bailey and
Katie Sommer led the Panthers in kills with six each.
Bailey Chandler led the team in assists with 22 and
Maggie Runge and Bailey each had three blocks. The Racers were led by Rachel Giustino with 13 kills. Ashley McBee led the team in assists with 25 and Katriah Johnson led the Racers in blocks with three.
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