RICHMOND, Ky. - Eastern Illinois (5-5, 0-0 OVC) defeats Eastern Kentucky (7-3, 0-0 ASUN) in four sets to win the Geri Polvino Invitational. Panthers went 3-0 on the weekend defeating Purdue Fort Wayne, Saint Francis (Pa.) and EKU. The set scores from today's match were: 25-23, 26-28, 25-23, 26-24.
Chosen as the Invitational MVP,
Kaitlyn Flynn dominated the match with a career high 29 kills in the win. Flynn set the new four set record with 86 attack attempts, taking down a record held since 2004. Flynn also collected two service aces, three block assists and 15 digs (third on the team).
Ella Collins was strong at the net today with 14 kills, only trailing Flynn on EIU.
Lilli Amettis led the team in hitting percentage with a .462 and had six kills.
Ireland Hieb and
Tori Mohesky had seven and six kills each to help the Panthers on offense. Despite 35 attack errors, EIU remained calm while hitting for .178 during the match.
Four Panthers posted double digit assists in the win, but were led by
Catalina Rochaix with 31. Rochaix also set her new career best in assists breaking a record that lasted just one day (posted 29 vs. Purdue Fort Wayne).
Summerlyn Smith collected 15 while
Sylvia Hasz posted 10.
Christina Martinez Mundo provided that defensive spark that led the Panthers. She posted 27 digs to lead EIU and collected 10 assists on offense. She was selected to the All-Tournament team.
Ashley Sharkus slid into a defense role in the win as she collected 16 digs and a service ace.
Five different Panthers collected at least one ace against EKU including two from Flynn in the third set. Hieb not only was efficient on offense, but also led the team in blocks with eight block assists.
Annika Black also had five block assists and one solo. She was voted as the player of the match.
Eastern Kentucky was led by Molly Michalak had 12 kills and 17 digs for the Colonels. Sarah Mitchell led EKU on defense with 22 digs in the match. Four different players for EKU posted at least 15 digs. Chloe Mason also recorded 23 assists.
The Panthers will return home on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. to face-off against Big Ten opponent Illinois. EIU has only hosted two ranked teams in the history. Livestats and ESPN+ will be made available.
