Set One: After a successful weekend in Athens, Ohio, EIU wasted no time to keep the momentum rolling. Panthers dominated right from the jump with a quick 11-5 lead, forcing a Roos timeout. With two games today, EIU used a new lineup combination featuring 2025 OVC players to watch Lilli Amettis. After the timeout, Eastern Illinois put the set away early using 5-0 scoring and a 4-0 scoring to end the first set. EIU recorded 10 kills and 4 blocks and held the lead throughout the entire set. 

Set Two: Head Coach Ryan Millar was able to continue to smile after set one when the Panthers dominated once again. Set two was no different when EIU started with a 14-5 lead, causing the Roos to call another early timeout. The foot remained on the gas, extending the lead to 20-12, and controlled the game the rest of the way with 13 total kills, 3 aces, and 1 block to top Kansas City. 

Set Three: Unlike the first two sets, Kansas City provided resistance to EIU and took an early lead. Without panicking, the Panthers battled the storm and fought back to tie the set 11-11. Both teams battled for positioning with little separation. Set three included 10 ties and 7 lead changes. With the game on the line, trailing 19-20, EIU flipped the switch that activated a 6-0 scoring run to complete the match sweep against Kansas City. The Panthers totaled 17 kills, 17 assists, and 22 digs to push past the Roos. 

With a new lineup combination came new team leaders. Amettis led the game with 13 kills and 14 points. Giorgia Cappelletti held the highest hitting percentage at .538, Sylvia Hasz contributed 35 assists, while Anaya Rawlinson produced 4 blocks. 

Eastern Illinois will play game two of the Saluki Bash at 4:00 p.m against New Mexico State.