Eastern Illinois wins their second tournament of the year by going 3-0 in the Southern Illinois Saluki Tournament. EIU defeated USC Upstate in straight sets (25-18, 25-19, 25-20). This improves their overall record to 7-1.
EIU had 12 kills in the first set led by
Ella Collins with four. Eastern posted a .241 hitting percentage in the first set with the assists of
Summerlyn Smith who collected 10 of them. The Panthers also recorded five service aces and one block.
Kills were a big part of the Panther offense in the second with 15 of them coming in that set alone.
Danielle Allen had collected seven total kills in their first two sets. EIU had a hitting percentage of .429 going 15 for 28 on attacks. The Panthers held USC Upstate to just a .194 hitting percentage in the second.
Eastern swept the Spartans in the last set winning 25-20. Seventeen kills were recorded in that set by the Panthers compared to 10 for USC Upstate. EIU posted a .314 hitting percentage going 17 for 35 on attacks. The Panthers recorded four service aces in the third.
Collins finished the match with 16 kills with Allen and
Emily Wilcox each recording nine kills. Smith ended the match with 36 assists and eight digs. Lorrainne Perez also collected 16 digs.
USC Upstate was led by Renae Watson with seven kills, Emma McElveen with 12 assists and Julia Gladhill with four service aces. The Spartans drop to 2-6.
EIU will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 17 at Indiana State at 5 p.m. The Panthers will return home on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 4 p.m. against Indiana State for their second meeting.
