Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)
Panthers volleyball team will advance to the OVC championship match tomorrow, November 25th, at 6:00 PM against Morehead State. EIU moved past SEMO in four sets in a match where the Panthers set a new four-set match blocks record at 19.
Set One: The semifinal match was a game of runs between both teams taking turns scoring multiple points in a row. SEMO began the set with a 4-0 scoring, followed by an EIU response, scoring four straight, including back-to-back service aces by Tori Mohesky. The Panthers headed into the media timeout with a 15-13 lead after a kill by Emma Schroeder, who had a .733 hitting percentage for the match. After the break, EIU exploded out of the gate, scoring three in a row off two straight kills by Katie Kopshever. The Panthers defense held strong, anchored by Schroeder and Ariadna Pereles to close out set one 25-21.
Set Two: Both teams battled closely to start the new set, with SEMO holding their largest lead of the match, 10-4. Like set one, EIU responded to adversity, ripping off 5 in a row led by Destiny Walker. The theme of the match continued as SEMO tallied four straight to hold a 14-11 advantage. The Panthers came roaring back with a 5-0 run using two Lilli Amettis kills and two SEMO attack errors. The scoring runs continued between both teams, with SEMO leading 21-18 heading into the final stretch. The Panthers threatened to rally from behind, forcing a SEMO timeout. However, the Redhawks stood strong; winning set two 25-23.
Set Three: The pivotal set three began with the Redhawks stunning the Panther nation to take a quick 7-3 lead. EIU battled back to tie the match at 13. SEMO led 15-14 as both teams stepped away for the media timeout. SEMO continued to lead until the Panthers ignited a mini scoring run using two Walker attacks. SEMO was forced to call a timeout, trailing 20-19. After the break, SEMO responded with two points, which resulted in an EIU timeout. With the crowd on their feet, Destiny Walker used a monstrous block to reach set one. The Panthers used their defense once again with a block by Amettis and Schroeder to close out set three.
Set Four: With the chance to move on to the OVC championship match, Eastern Illinois and SEMO battled tightly to start with, EIU having a small 10-7 advantage. The Panthers continued to stay afloat using their high-powered offense led by Walker and Mohesky. Eastern Illinois took control of the momentum heading into the media timeout after an attack error with Katy St. John. The Panthers stood pat, keeping the Redhawks an arm length away, but the Redhawks caused an EIU timeout. The Panthers responded, led by Waker and Mohesky once again, to remain out in front. After a SEMO timeout, the Panthers recovered from a service ace by scoring two kills by Kopshever and Amettis to win the match.
By The Numbers: EIU set a record of 19 blocks in a four-set match. The previous record was 18, which was set against Murray State in 2012. Destiny Walker led the way offensively with 20 kills and 10 digs. Lilli Amettis was Walker's partner in crime with 17 kills. Emma Schroeder had a season-high night with 11 kills, 5 blocks, and a .733 hitting percentage. Arianda Pereles and Anaya Rawlinson anchored the defense, with Pereles recording 12 digs and Rawlinson producing 4.5 blocks.
OVC Tournament 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 – #2 Morehead State 3, #3 Southern Indiana 1
Match 6 – #1 Eastern Illinois 3, #4 Southeast Missouri 1
Tuesday, November 25
Match 7 – No. 1 Eastern Illinois vs. No. 2 Morehead State, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
All Times Central
EIU will compete in the OVC championship match tomorrow against Morehead State at 6:00 PM CT. The match can be followed on ESPN+ and live stats.
