The Panthers returned home to host the OVC tournament and survived a first-round five-match thriller against No. 8 seeded Lindenwood. EIU will advance to the semifinals to face SEMO with a championship match appearance on the line. The match is scheduled for 6:00 PM CT on ESPN+.
Set One: The Panthers opened the OVC tournament sluggishly, trailing 6-1 early after multiple errors committed by the home team. Eastern Illinois tried to find a rhythm but headed into the media timeout down 15-11. After the break, EIU finally showed life, using back-to-back Lindenwood attack errors to score three straight points. However, the Lions responded with a multi-scoring run of their own to take a 20-15 advantage. Panthers facing adversity responded in style with a 4-0 run to cut the deficit to 23-21. The Lions held off the rowdy crowd to earn a set two victory, 25-21.
Set Two: With both teams settled into the match, set two was a tight battle throughout. The match was tied at eight until EIU finally broke through to hold their first true lead of the match, 12-9. EIU put their foot on the gas to extend their lead to 15-10 heading into the media timeout. Shortly after the stoppage of play, the Lions would take their turn, scoring the next 3 out of the 4 points. Then, Lindenwood's offense exploded, scoring three straight, including a service ace by Kylee Richey, to pull within two (16-18). Coach Millar used a timeout to stop the bleeding, which worked as EIU got back on track; closing set two with a 25-21 victory.
Set Three: EIU jumped out of the gate in a pivotal set three, leading 11-7 using multiple Destiny Walker kills to take control. Both teams took turns scoring until a Katie Kopshever kill and an attack error by Bax gave EIU a 15-8 lead. The equal battle continued heading into the final stretch with EIU leading 20-15. Moments after, EIU used a powerful kill by Emma Schroeder to pull the Panthers within two points from closing the set out. Eastern Illinois would eventually close out the set 25-20 after an Ariadna Pereles service ace.
Set Four: EIU started strong, scoring three in a row and doubling up Lindenwood with an 8-4 lead. The Lions would respond with three quick points later on to even the set at 10. The theme of the night continued to result in a back-and-forth contest, leaving the Lions up one heading into the media timeout. In the late stages of set four, Lindenwood took control, scoring four straight unanswered points to hold a 22-18 lead off a Dana Grib service ace. With the set looking the Lions' way, EIU stormed back using a kill by Walker and two Lions attack errors. Unfortunately, the Lions pulled away late to win the set 25-23.
Set Five: With the opportunity to advance to the semifinals on the line, the Panthers played their best set of the night. Back-to-back attack errors by the Lions gave EIU an early 5-2 lead. Moments after, the Panthers roared to a 10-4 lead after a kill by Tori Mohesky and a service ace by Catalina Rochaix. EIU held strong, using their high-tempo offense directed by Lilli Amettis and Emma Schroeder to close out set five with a 15-7 victory.
By The Numbers: Destiny Walker led the team with 14 kills and 8 digs. Katie Kopshever followed along with 14 kills and 6 digs. Rochaix was dominant as usual, directing the offense with 49 assists. Defensively, Ariadna Pereles held strong with 10 digs paired with 8 blocks by Emma Schroeder, 5 block assists by Lilli Amettis, and 4 block assists by Anaya Rawlinson. As a team, EIU totaled 16 block assists, 44 digs, and 53 kills.
OVC Tourney Bracket:
Sunday, November 23
Match 1 - #2 Morehead State 3, #7 SIUE 0
Match 2 - #3 Southern Indiana 3, #6 Tennessee Tech 1
Match 3 - #1 Eastern Illinois 3, #8 Lindenwood 2
Match 4 - #4 Southeast Missouri 3, #5 Little Rock 2
Monday, November 24
Match 5 – No. 2 Morehead State vs. No. 3 Southern Indiana, 3 p.m. (ESPN+)
Match 6 – No. 1 Eastern Illinois vs. No. 4 Southeast Missouri, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
Tuesday, November 25
Match 7 – Semifinal Winners, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
All Times Central
EIU will face SEMO tomorrow, November 24th, at 6:00 PM at Gardella Family Court. Both semifinals match can be followed along on ESPN+ and Live Stats.
