Eastern Illinois at OVC Weekend
March 21-22 | Martin, Tenn.
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Match 1 – vs. Morehead State | Friday at 10 a.m. |
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Match 2 – vs. UT Martin | Friday at 2 p.m. |
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Match 3 – vs. Chattanooga | Saturday at 8 a.m. |
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Match 4 – vs. Tennessee Tech | Saturday at 12 p.m. |
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ON TAP: The Eastern Illinois beach volleyball team gets the 2025 campaign underway this weekend with a trip to Martin for their first of two OVC Weekends. The Panthers will play four opponents over two days to officially begin the
Ryan Millar era.
SCOUTING REPORT:
- Morehead State enters this weekend with a record of 6-6 following a trip to the west coast last week that included a 5-0 loss to No. 1 UCLA. Peighton Isley and Sarah Heath lead the team in wins with seven, including a 5-3 record as a pair. MSU returned two All-OVC selections from last season, including Isley and M.E. Hargan.
- UT Martin currently holds a record of 9-5 after sweeping a double dual against North Alabama on Wednesday. Sydney Eckhardt leads the team in total wins with nine, primarily in the number four sport. Eckhardt and Reagan McGee are a perfect 7-0 as a tandem this season. The Skyhawks have a wealth of experience with six returning All-OVC selections.
- Chattanooga is 8-4 after dropping two of three at the Shoals Beach Bash at North Alabama last weekend. Six Mocs are tied for the team lead in wins (7), while No. 1 pair Neva Clark and Corina Vale have a 6-3 record on the season. UTC returned the highest number of 2024 All-OVC selections with seven.
- Tennessee Tech enters this weekend with a 2-5 overall record after suffering three sweeps at the Georgia State Day of Duals earlier this month. The Golden Eagles have fielded three different No. 1 pairs this season. Aleeya Jones and MK Roberts lead the team in wins with two in the No. 3 sport. Tech returned All-OVC selection Bella Powell from last season's squad.
PRESEASON POLL: The Ohio Valley Conference released its preseason poll for beach volleyball in February with Eastern Illinois selected sixth. Chattanooga was picked to finish first with 10 first-place votes, followed by UT Martin with two first-place votes.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Senior
Kaitlyn Flynn was named as the EIU Player to Watch for the upcoming season by the OVC. Flynn posted four wins last season playing at the No. 2 pairs position in the line-up.
KEY RETURNERS: Laura Paniagua won six matches last season playing between the No. 4 and No. 5 pairs in the line-up. Meanwhile,
Catalina Rochaix won five matches playing at the No. 3 and No. 4 pairs spots.
HEAD COACH: Ryan Millar begins his first season at EIU after being hired in late February. Millar is considered one of the greatest middle blockers the United States has ever produced in volleyball. He had a playing career that stretched 15 years as a member of the USA Men's National Team including three Olympic Games (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008). In 2008 he helped lead Team USA to the Olympic Gold, the first for the USA in men's volleyball in 20 years.
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He comes to EIU after serving three seasons as the associate head coach for the San Diego Miramar College men's volleyball program with the team winning back-to-back Pacific Coach Athletic Conference Championships and posting a Top 5 CCCCA ranking. He began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant coach at his alma mater Brigham Young University (BYU) in 2006. He then served as the interim head coach in 2007 with the team producing a 24-6 record. Following that season he returned to the professional playing ranks.
