The Panthers had six match points turned away by Morehead State but used a 6-0 run in the fifth set to move past the Eagles. EIU improves to 6-15 (5-5 OVC), while Morehead State falls to 10-12 (6-6 OVC).
Katie Kopshever paced the Panthers with her fifth double-double of the season, recording 23 kills and 17 digs. Her 23 kills tie her career high, which she recorded a couple weeks ago at UT Martin.
After dropping set one, the Panthers turned the ship around, securing two straight set wins. Along with Kopshever, Jorah Rutter and Abana Teran finished with double-digit kills, each recorded an 11 apiece. With needing one more win, set four went the distance.
EIU controlled the start with an 8-2 advantage. As the Eagles made their push, the Panthers remained in front with a 15-11 lead heading into the media timeout. Kopshever's back-to-back kills kept the Eagles within arm's distance, leading 17-13. However, after a late rally by MSU, both teams traded points. EIU had three match points turned away in set four, allowing MSU to push the match to the deciding set.
Morehead State jumped out to a 10-6 lead. Alana Guibert turned the momentum around with her career-high eighth kill of the match. Guibert also totaled a career-high eight blocks.
Following an Eagles point, EIU stormed to a 6-0 scoring run led by Rutter's back-to-back kills and a service ace by Anna McEwen. The Panthers totaled seven service aces, including two by Alanys Nieves and McEwen.
After the Eagles tied the set at 13 apiece, both teams went back-and-forth. Once again, MSU turned away three match points, but EIU was finally able to secure the match victory after a free kill by Emma Hanson.
The Panthers defense led the way, holding MSU to 61 kills and a .214 hitting percentage. EIU totaled 14 team blocks in the contest. Guibert had eight; Rutter had six, and Hanson totaled four. Ariadna Pereles recorded a season-best and match-best 28 digs.
Nieves directed the offense with 35 assists, followed by Peyton Castillo with 16 assists.
By The Numbers:
EIU: 183 Attacks, 69 Kills, 62 Assists, .230 Hit%, 7 Aces, 80 Digs, 14 Blocks
MSU: 182 Attacks, 61 Kills, 55 Assists, .214 Hit%, 6 Aces, 76 Digs, 15 Blocks
Up Next: Panthers return home to face Western Illinois on November 5th and 6th
