Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)
The Eastern Illinois Panthers have won the OVC tournament championship after cruising past Morehead State in a 3-0 sweep. Panthers volleyball is awarded an automatic NCAA tournament bid and will wait for their matchup to be announced on Sunday, November 30, at 5:00 PM. EIU wins their second OVC tournament title in three years.
Set One: EIU set the tone right out of the gate, with an early 8-4 lead off a 6-0 scoring run. After a timeout by Morehead State, EIU stunned the Eagles with a 4-0 run. Morehead State would not back down, closing the deficit to within three after two EIU errors. Heading into the final stage of the set, the Panthers held off a threatening comeback and scored four straight points, including back-to-back Destiny Walker kills.
Set Two: The crowd on their feet; the Panthers rolled through the second set. The Panthers exploded five in a row to start the set, including another back-to-back attack by Walker. The Eagles responded to pull within one, 13-12, leading to an EIU timeout. After the break, the Panthers handled business, scoring six straight points to earn a set two victory. Lilli Amettis and Katie Kopshever directed the high-powered offense to cruise past the Eagles.
Set Three: With the Panthers needing one set to close out the match, Morehead State provided resistance. The Eagles led 9-8 early, using multiple Panthers errors to their advantage. The Panthers would respond to regain the lead using a 4-0 charge by Kopshever, Walker, and Schroeder. EIU remained out in front as the officials called time for a media timeout. Both teams were unable to gain separation heading into the final moments of the match until the Panthers generated momentum to take a 20-18 lead after a kill by Walker and an attack error by M.E. Hargan. Morehead State called their final timeout and responded with back-to-back kills by Hargan. With the score tied at 20, EIU faced no trouble the rest of the way. The run began with a service ace by Rochaix, followed by an Amettis kill to reach set point. EIU closed out the match and earned the OVC championship title after an attack error by Morehead State.
By The Numbers: EIU won their second OVC championship tournament title in three years. The Panthers swept both championship matches. Lilli Amettis led the team with 14 kills, followed by Rochaix with 40 assists. Ariadna Pereles, Anaya Rawlinson, and Amettis anchored the Panthers defense. Pereles led the way with 14 digs. Rawlinson and Amettis each had 2.5 blocks.
EIU All-Tournament Team:
Lilli Amettis- Tournament MVP
Emma Schroeder
Catalina Rochaix
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 – #1 Eastern Illinois 3, #2 Morehead State 0
EIU will await their NCAA tournament matchup. The NCAA volleyball selection show will take place on Sunday, November 30, at 5:00 PM CT.
