MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Eastern Illinois volleyball wrapped up its second in-season tournament of the year on Saturday afternoon losing in five sets to North Dakota State.
The Bison won the fifth set 15-12 to take the match 21-25, 25-13, 25-20, 22-25, 15-12.Â
With the loss EIU falls to 0-6 on the season.  The Panthers return to action next week at the Evansville Dunn Hospitality Tournament.
In the first set, the Panthers jumped out of the gate fast with a 7-0 run with
Katie Sommer serving.  Sommer had three straight service aces in the set. North Dakota State rallied to tie it up at 10-10.  With the set tied at 18-18, EIU used a 5-0 run as they went on for the 25-21 set one win. Â
Ireland Hieb had two kills in the run.
In the second set it was NDSU that used a couple quick runs to their advantage.  The Bison built a 13-6 lead and cruised to the 25-13 set win.  NDSU continued their second set momentum into the early stages of set three jumping out to a 5-1 lead.  After back-and-forth action that tied the set at 17-17, Emily Halverson had a pair of kills as NDSU used a 5-0 run to create some separation and win the set.
EIU was able to even that match at two sets each as they had a critical 5-0 run late in the set.  In the fifth and final set, NDSU went on a 3-0 run and the Panthers came back with their own 5-0 run to take the lead at 7-4.  NDSU then went on a 5-0 run to take the lead and win the last set.
The Panthers were led by Sommer with 12 kills and five aces. Â
Bailey Chandler had 36 assists.
Hannah Sieg led the play at the net with five blocks.
NDSU was led by Alexis Bachmeier with 13 kills and Ally Murphy with 12 kills.  Halverson led the team in blocks with four.
