Photo Gallery  (by Sandy King)

Kicking off the road trip this weekend at the University of Illinois, EIU squared off with Iowa State to open the Illinois Triangular. The Panthers drop to 6-3 and Iowa State improves to 9-1. 

Set One: With a week long break, EIU came out electric to start set one. A 3-0 scoring fueled by two blocks from Schroeder and company. With the Panther faithful roaring behind them, EIU continued their hot start and extended their early lead to 10-5, forcing Iowa State to use an early timeout. The break in the action did not faze Eastern Illinois, who extended their lead out to 16-9, forcing another ISU timeout. The run was charged by another 3-0 scoring run, two kills by Walker, and a brilliant serving stretch from Rochaix. However, Iowa State's 8-1 record is no fluke, and the Cyclones came storming back after talking things over during the timeout. With a blink of an eye, the Cyclones took their first lead of the match, 23-22, on the brink of taking set one. Coach Millar called time to energize the group, but Iowa State's momentum was too strong to overcome, and ISU closed set one with a victory. 

Set Two: EIU opened the set with the lead at 11-8 with contributions from the usual suspects: Pereles, Rochaix, and Walker. With both teams keeping the score close without separation, a back-and-forth, action-packed contest was provided. In the middle of the set, Destiny Walker's offense was crucial, recording multiple kills, including a rocket shot spike extending the EIU lead to 15-11. A media timeout settled the crowd, but it was unable to quiet the Panthers, who forced a quick Cyclones timeout not too long after to talk things over. With the score at 18-14, ISU's coach Chris Johnson-Lynch challenged a pivotal EIU point. After video review, no touch was ruled, giving the point to the Cyclones. With flashbacks to set one looming, Iowa State kept their foot on the gas trying to ensure a comeback. However, set two had a different ending, which resulted in a Panthers win! The sophomore talent, Destiny Walker, with a right-side spike to the opposite end to close set two 25-21. 

Set Three: The Cyclones gave the Panthers a taste of their own medicine with an early lead to start this set. Iowa State certainly settled into their game plan, catching both the Panthers and the crowd off guard and remaining in control of the momentum. Iowa State holding a 14-8 lead caused an Eastern Illinois timeout to avoid further damage. The Cyclones were in rhythm, extending their lead 19-12 with their sights set on regaining control of the match. The scoring run would continue, holding a 21-13 lead, forcing the second timeout of the set by Eastern Illinois. Unfortunately, the momentum wouldn't break EIU's way, and Iowa State concluded set three 25-14 to lead the match two sets to one. 

Set Four: After a tough set three and the Cyclones wanting to close it out, the Panthers provided resistance. With both teams taking turns serving with no real scoring runs, an early lead was nowhere to be seen. Iowa State would make the first move in a tight battle, with a rare back-to-back scoring effort that caused an EIU timeout. The two-point lead continued to be held, avoiding any type of Panther momentum. With the Panthers trying to ignite a comeback, coach Johnson-Lynch challenged a block-touch call, which was confirmed and awarded to Eastern Illinois. Unfortunately, shortly after the break in the action, Iowa State pushed their lead to five with a 22-17 cushion. The Cyclones would go on to win 25-20 to close out the match. 

By the Numbers: As a team, EIU records 48 kills, 44 assists, 47 digs, and 8 blocks. Individually, Rochaix led the game with 41 assists and Destiny Walker totaled a game high 18 kills. Ariadna Pereles contributed 13 digs. 

Eastern Illinois will be back in action on Sunday, September 21st, against the University of Illinois at 1:00 p.m.