Eastern Illinois University Athletics

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SAINT CHARLES, Mo. - Eastern Illinois volleyball (15-15, 9-8 OVC) drops the first of two matches against Ohio Valley Conference newcomer Lindenwood (11-15, 8-9 OVC) by a final score of 0-3. EIU was held to just a .057 hitting percentage through three sets. The scores were: 20-25, 23-25, 19-20.

Eastern Illinois struggled at the net during the first ever meeting against the Lions of Lindenwood. The Panthers registered only 28 kills in the match compared to the Lions' 41. LU also limited their errors with only eight all match while EIU had 22.

Giovana Larregui Lopez led all Panthers with 10 kills and was second on the team in hitting percentage with a .148.  Kaitlyn Flynn was also able to connect on seven kills while Annika Black and Lilli Amettis both had three. EIU only posted one positive hitting percentage set all match.

Catalina Rochaix was the the lead setter for the Panthers with 17 on the night while senior Summerlyn Smith chipped in eight off the bench. EIU did have success from behind the service line with a total of six aces including four from Larregui Lopez. EIU held Lindenwood, the OVC leader in aces, to just four.

The Lions were able to control the tempo at the net with 12 total blocks while EIU was limited to just one. Christina Martinez Mundo registered a match high 15 digs while roaming the court as the libero. Larregui Lopez also had seven digs while Rochaix added six.

Lindenwood posted three double digit kills set in the match including 19 total kills in the second set. The Panthers had one set of double digit kills in the second with 12. 

Taylor Gentemann had a match high 11 kills for the Lions while also posting a .310 hitting percentage. Mackenzi Sifuentes also had 10 kills while Nyah Wilson added nine. Abby VanBuskirk, last week's OVC setter of the week, had a total of 37 assists on 41 kills. Sifuentes also had five block solos and three block assists in the win.

The Panthers will be back tomorrow evening as they play their final regular season match of the season against Lindenwood. The OVC tournament will start next week at the conclusion of the season.