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Eastern Illinois (2-1, 0-0 OVC) vs. UIC (2-1, 0-0 VALLEY)
Thursday, Sept. 1
Chicago, Ill.
6:30 p.m. at Jacoby Dickens Center
Live Stats | Watch

Eastern Illinois at Chicago State (1-2)
Friday, Sept. 2
Chicago, Ill.
6 p.m. at Jacoby Dickens Center
Live Stats | Watch

Eastern Illinois vs. Pacific (1-2, 0-0 WCC)
Saturday, Sept. 3
Chicago, Ill.
12 p.m. at Jacoby Dickens Center
Live Stats | Watch

Match Notes

ON-TAP: Eastern Illinois continues their non-conference schedule during the Windy City Invitational held in Chicago, Ill. at the Jacoby Dickens Center. Chicago State hosts the tournament that also features UIC and Pacific University. EIU will start play on Thursday, Sept. 1 against UIC at 6:30 p.m.

ALL-TIME SERIES: The Panthers are currently tied with the Flames at seven a piece. The two teams have not played each other since the 2019 season when UIC won 3-0 at the Central Michigan Invitational. EIU leads Chicago State 6-1 in the season. CSU traveled to Charleston last season during the Panther Invitational where EIU defeated the Cougars 3-0. This marks the first meeting between Pacific and EIU.

WEEKEND RECAP: Panther nation witnessed the start of the 2022 season last weekend at the Butler Top Dawg Invitational. EIU went 2-1 on the weekend, defeating Akron and Oakland, while losing to the tournament champions Butler. After losing to the Bulldogs in four sets, EIU responded with a 3-0 win against Akron during the second game of the tournament. The Panthers would return on Saturday, Aug. 27 and defeated Oakland in five sets behind a strong match from Giovanna Larregui Lopez.

ALL-TOURNAMENT SELECTIONS: EIU had two players selected last weekend at the Butler Tournament to the all-tournament. Ella Collins and Lopez were the two members of the Panthers to be selected. Collins had a solid weekend at the net collecting 38 kills and 23 digs during her three matches with a .202 hitting percentage. Lopez earned her spot after hitting for 47 kills and 43 digs. She lead all Panthers in kills, attacks, and service aces (6). She recorded a double-double in all three matches.

OVC NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK: Not only was Lopez selected to the all-tournament team, but she was also selected as the Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week after her performance in Indianapolis. Lopez led all OVC players last weekend in kills with 47. She averaged 3.92 kills per set which also led all OVC players.

GETTING DIGGY WITH IT: Christina Martinez Mundo was lock down on defense last weekend collecting 60 digs through three matches for an average of 5.00 per set which ranks third in the OVC. In terms of total digs, Mundo ranks third as well. During the Butler Tournament, Mundo made multiple diving plays to keep points off the board and give EIU opportunities to attack. Last season, Mundo led the Panthers in digs and was fifth in the OVC.

PANTHERS WELCOME SIX NEW PLAYERS: Head coach Sara Thomas has added six new Panthers to her roster after losing four seniors last year. Thomas has added the following players: S Catalina Rochaix, OH Tori Mohesky, MB Kate Dean, OH Lilli Amettis, OH Giovana Larregui Lopez, and S Sylvia Hasz.

OVC PREDICTED ORDER: Eastern Illinois was selected to finish sixth in the Ohio Valley Conference this season after an 11-18 2021 season and a appearance in the OVC Tournament. Morehead State, last season's runner-up, was selected to finish first. Southeast Missouri, 2021 OVC Champion, was slated to finish in second.

OVC ADDS THREE NEW TEAMS: The Panthers will have new competition this year in the conference as Arkansas Little Rock, Lindenwood, and Southern Indiana joined the OVC at the start of the 2022-23 league year. Lindenwood and Southern Indiana make the jump from Division II to Division I while Little Rock joins after playing in the Sun Belt. Belmont, Austin Peay, and Murray State all joined new conferences after the 2021-22 season.

NEXT UP: EIU will come back to Charleston next weekend for their first home match of the season against Western Illinois. The match is set for 6:00 p.m. in Lantz Arena at First Mid Court. Heading into the weekend, Western is 0-3 on the season including a 3-1 loss to fellow OVC member Lindenwood. Lantz will also be hosting International Students Day for this match. Students will receive a free popcorn and drink during the match.
 
HEAD COACH: Sara Thomas enters her third season as the head coach at Eastern Illinois University. Last season, Thomas took her team to the OVC Tournament for the first time since the 2017 season. EIU finished with a 11-18 record last season with a 4-14 OVC record. Thomas is assisted by Manolo Concepcion and Ignacio Valdemoros. The Panthers look to build off their success last season.