CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Eastern Illinois (12-8, 6-1 OVC) defeat Southeast Missouri (8-10, 3-3 OVC) for the second straight match. It marks the first time since the 2010 season that the Panthers swept SEMO in back-to-back matches. EIU has also swept their last four matches. The set scores were: 25-20, 25-17, 25-20.
The Panthers solidify themselves at the top of the Ohio Valley Conference standings with two wins against the Redhawks. EIU and UT Martin are tied for first place with a 6-1 record in conference play. The Skyhawks and Panthers will face-off in Lantz Arena next week.
The three headed attack of Giovana larregui Lopez,
Kaitlyn Flynn and
Lilli Amettis powered EIU on offense to a total of 43 kills. Larregui Lopez led the way for all attackers with 16 kills. Flynn continued her eight match streak with double digit kills with 13 on the night. Amettis had her fourth match with double digit kills with 12.
In all three sets, EIU posted at least 11 kills including 16 in both the first and second sets. They also posted a team high .324 hitting percentage in the second set where they held an 18-8 lead early on.
EIU held a .212 hitting percentage in Houck Field House Saturday evening while the Redhawks were held to a .080 percentage. The Panthers forced 20 attack errors against SEMO to help sweep them for the second consecutive night. SEMO was held to 29 kills.
Christina Martinez Mundo had a team high 18 digs in the win. She has posted double digit digs in all but one match this season. Martinez Mundo also chipped in six assists and one service ace. Flynn also recorded 11 digs for her second consecutive double-double.
Despite the 10 to three blocks advantage held by SEMO, EIU's defense continued to hold against the Redhawks' outside hitters.
Ireland Hieb recorded two block assists while
Emily Wilcox also added one. Wilcox had a team high three service aces from the back line. EIU had eight aces in total.
Catalina Rochaix and
Summerlyn Smith continued to be that one-two setter punch that propelled the Panthers' offense. Rochaix led the team with 16 assists while Smith held her own with 14. Both had an aces in the match while Rochaix and Smith combined for 16 digs.
The Redhawks were led by Kayla Closset with 13 kills to lead SEMO. Tara Beilsmith, OVC leading libero, posted a match high 28 digs in the loss. Avery Torrey and Mackenzie Meehan were solid at the net on defense recording six and five block assists each. SEMO falls to 8-10 on the season with a 3-3 OVC record.
Eastern Illinois will be back in action next Friday, Oct. 14 when they hosted UT Martin for a early morning double header. The first match is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. with the second starting 90 minutes after. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
