Eastern Illinois (2-0) vs. Kansas City (0-3) 

Date & Time: September 5th at 12:00 p.m. 

Live Coverage: Live Stats

All Time Series: 4-2

 

Eastern Illinois (2-0) vs. New Mexico State (2-1)

Date & Time: September 5th at 4:00 p.m. 

Live Coverage: Live Stats

All Time Series: 0-1

 

Eastern Illinois (2-0) vs. Southern Illinois (2-1)

Date & Time: September 6th at 3:00 p.m. 

Live Coverage: ESPN+ | Live Stats

All Time Series: 7-10 

After having no trouble in the Ohio Bobcat Invitational, going 2-0, the Panthers will try their luck at the Saluki Bash. The team will open their Saluki Bash Tournament facing Kansas City and New Mexico City on Friday. EIU will wrap up the weekend against the tournament host, Southern Illinois, on Saturday, September 6th, at 3:00 p.m. All games can be followed along using the live stats link, and the match versus SIU will be featured on ESPN+.

 

About the Panthers: This past weekend at the Ohio Bobcat Invitational displayed the internal excitement EIU has for the 2025 season. After a thrilling five-set match victory over Bucknell University, Eastern Illinois made quick work against Ohio University in a three-set sweep to wrap up a successful opening weekend. Head Coach Ryan Millar picked up his first two victories to start his career at EIU and relied on his veterans throughout the invitational. Senior standout Catalina Rochaix was named as a notable weekend performer by the OVC for her individual performances. In two games, she totaled 78 assists (9.75 A/S) and recorded just one error. Alongside Rochaix was Tori Mohesky, contributing 19 kills and 5 blocks. Wrapping up the senior standouts was Emma Schroeder, who tallied 17 kills with a hitting percentage of .400. To go along with the senior leaders, a pair of sophomores wasted no time putting numbers on the board. Destiny Walker, who was also named to the notable performer list by the OVC, led the EIU offense with 35 kills and 39.5 total points. On the defensive side, Ariadna Pereles led the team with 38 digs. Similar to last weekend, the Panthers face some unfamiliar faces outside of the annual match against Southern Illinois. 

About Kansas City: The all-time record between EIU and Kansas City is a 4-2 record favoring Eastern Illinois. The last meeting was in 2013, in which the Roos won in a three-set sweep. Kansas City enters this weekend 0-3 after a tough time at the Radford Tournament, which featured Marshall, Radford, and Eastern Michigan University. The team is led by head coach Chrissti Posey in her 15th college season with a total record of 217-184 (.541). She holds the top spot on the Kansas City all-time wins list and most seasons coached. Her team is led by Ryanne Wattree, Ledisi Kpea, and Lyla Jones. Wattree is the team leader in kills with 30 to go along with her 33.5 total points. Kpea is right behind her with 31.5 total points and 24 kills with a hitting percentage of .380. Jones is at the top of the assist leader board for the Roos with 67 total assists. 

About New Mexico State: There has been just one previous meeting between these two programs, which was won by New Mexico State in 1990. The Aggie's are led by head coach Mike Jordan, entering his 26th season with a record of 544-228. To begin their season, New Mexico State competed in the UC San Diego Invitational, where they went 2-1, beating Eastern Washington and UC San Diego. The Aggies are led by three underclassmen, including Tess Fuqua, Mia Fox, and Kate Sinclair. Fuqua leads with 36 digs, Fox has totaled 26 kills, and Sinclair has contributed 12 blocks. 

About Southern Illinois: The host of the Saluki Bash enters the weekend 2-1 after beating Sam Houston and Tulane in the SHSU Invitational. The Salukis are coached by Brittany Harry, who is in her first season with Southern Illinois. Prior to SIU, Harry coached Spartanburg Methodist College, Cumberland University, Laredo College, and Texas A&M International. Her team is led by Annabelle Sulish, Emma Lade, Cecilia Bulmahn, and Larissa Seger. Sulish is the team leader in kills with 37, Lade holds the top spot with 96 assists, Bulmahn has contributed 42 digs, and Seger has totaled 21 blocks. 

The Saluki Bash can be followed along by using the live stats link, and the match versus SIU will be featured on ESPN+.