Match One:
Eastern Illinois 1-7 (0-0 OVC) vs. Illinois 5-3 (0-0 Big Ten)
Date & Time: September 16th at 6:00 PM
Location: Charleston, Illinois
Live Coverage: Live Stats | ESPN+
All-Time Series: 2-12
Match Two:
Eastern Illinois 1-7 (0-0 OVC) at Notre Dame 1-6 (0-0 ACC)
Date & Time: September 18th at 5:30 PM (CT)
Location: South Bend, Ind.
Live Coverage: Live Stats | ESPN+
All-Time Series: 0-0
Match Three:
Eastern Illinois 1-7 (0-0 OVC) vs. Notre Dame 1-6 (0-0 ACC)
Date & Time: September 20th at 1 PM
Location: Charleston, Illinois
Live Coverage: Live Stats | ESPN+
All-Time Series: 0-0
Ready to Serve: Eastern Illinois is set for a pair of high-profile matchups against Illinois and Notre Dame this week. The Panthers will host the University of Illinois on Wednesday at 6 PM, marking just the second time the Fighting Illini has traveled to Charleston since 1995.
EIU will then take on Notre Dame in a rare home-and-home series. The Panthers will travel to South Bend on Friday before returning home to host the Fighting Irish on Sunday. The weekend series will mark the first meeting between Eastern Illinois and Notre Dame in program history.
Home Opener
The Panthers opened their 2026 non-conference schedule with eight consecutive road matches. EIU has traveled to three states and four different cities to begin the season. Eastern Illinois has made stops in Ohio, Utah, and Indiana. Now, the Panthers will officially debut their new videoboards at their home opener against the University of Illinois, marking just the second time the Illini has traveled to Charleston since 1995.
McAfee Dominance
Since moving their home matches to Gardella Family Court at McAfee Gym in 2025, the Panthers have been unstoppable on their home court. Eastern Illinois remains unneatened at Gardella Family Court, posting a perfect 13-0 record. The Panthers went 9-0 during the regular season last year before adding three more victories in the 2025 OVC Tournament. EIU carried that momentum into the 2026 campaign, earning its 13th consecutive win with a victory over Indiana State in its opening exhibition match.
Weekend Recap
EIU remains on a seven-match losing streak after falling to Cal Poly and Indiana. The Panthers have won just one set during the current losing skid. The match against Indiana marks the second nationally ranked opponent EIU has faced this season.
Eastern Illinois struggled offensively, finishing the weekend with a .182 hitting percentage and only 59 assists. The Panthers suffered 31 attack errors and were outkilled 91-63.
Defensively, the Panthers were out of rhythm, recording 60 digs compared to the opponents' 74 on the weekend.
Players to Highlight
Katie Kopshever was named an OVC notable player of the week for her efforts last Friday. Kopshever finished the doubleheader with 23 kills (3.83 K/S) with a .236 hitting percentage.
Abana Teran joins Kopshever as the only players to record double-digit kills last time out, as Teran recorded 12 with a .310 hitting percentage.
Peyton Castillo returned to the lineup after suffering an injury and made an immediate impact. Castillo totaled 51 assists (8.50 A/S) and 13 digs.
Ariadna Pereles led the way defensively, finishing with 15 digs. Anna McEwen finished third on the team with 12 digs.
Emma Hanson continues to be a threat in the early parts of her career, as she produced three blocks on Friday.
Difficult Non-Conference Schedule
In preparation for the OVC schedule, Coach Millar has put together a challenging non-conference slate. Eight of the Panthers' 10 non-conference opponents posted winning records in 2025, with six recording at least 20 victories. The schedule also features four teams that competed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, including Wright State, BYU, Cal Poly, and Indiana. Three of those teams entered the 2026 season ranking in the AVCA Top 25 or received votes. After facing No. 21 Indiana last weekend, the Panthers have faced two nationally ranked opponents this season. This marks just the third time in program history that EIU has faced multiple ranked opponents in the same season. In 2021, the Panthers faced No. 23 Michigan and No. 4 Penn State, while in 1986, EIU challenged No. 11 Illinois and No. 17 Penn State.
Scouting Report
Illinois
This marks the 15th time these two programs have squared off and just the second time they will meet in Charleston since 1995. Illinois holds the all-time series record of 12-2 with a win last year in three sets at Huff Hall. The Fighting Illini enter the week with a 5-3 record with key wins over Syracuse and Marquette. Illinois recently beat OVC opponent Lindenwood in three sets. The Illini are coached by Chris Tamas, who is in his 10th season at the helm. Coach Tamas is led by an offensive duo, including Paityn Chapman and Alyssa Aguayo. Chapman leads the way with 100 kills (3.57 K/S) on the season, followed by Aguayo's 80 kills (2.86 K/S). Talita Goncalves paces the defense with a team-best 97 digs (3.46 D/S). Kristina Starostenko follows suit with 23 blocks so far this season.
Notre Dame
These two programs will meet for the first time this week, which will feature a rare home-and-home series. The Irish enter the week with a 1-6 record with a win over Toledo on September 5th. Notre Dame is coached by Salima Rockwell, who enters his fifth season at the helm, holding a 45-66 career record. Coach Rockwell is led by a duo of the Sydney Helmers and Maya Evens. Helmers lead the way offensively with 105 kills (3.62 K/S). Defensively, Evens holds a team-best 119 digs (4.10 D/S).
Looking Ahead: The Panthers will begin OVC play on September 25th, hosting Southern Indiana. The first serve is set for 6 PM CT.
