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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Despite enjoying an early two-set to zero lead, the Eastern Illinois volleyball squad was unable to complete the match win, as visiting Murray State raced back to take the five-set heartbreaker (14-25, 22-25, 25-12, 25-23, 15-10) on Saturday afternoon at Lantz Arena.
The loss drops the Panthers to 10-18 overall and 3-12 in Ohio Valley Conference play. Murray State, who were tabbed as the preseason favorite to win the league title, improved to 8-16 and 8-6. The five-set win at Lantz Arena was only the Racer's second road win of the year, and eighth straight over the Panthers, dating back to 2006.
Three Panthers finished with double-digit kills, including two double-double performances. Junior outside hitter Alex Zwettler had a match-high 20 kills and added 13 digs to register her 16th duo-duo of the season and 38th in her career. Senior Jessica Wheeler added 11 kills and 10 digs to notch her third double-double this season and fifth all-time. Sophomore middle Melanie Boykins also finished with 11 put-a-ways, notching her third consecutive double-digit kill performance of the season.
Sophomore setter Chrissie Albers also nabbed a 40+ assist/10+ dig double-double, her fourth of the season and all-time, as she dished out 43 assists and upped 18 digs.
Defensively, sophomore libero Brittany Wallace won the digging game, setting a new personal single-match high with 28 digs. Also earning 10+ digs for the Panthers was junior Kelsey Orr with 11. At the net, Eastern finished with 13 total blocks, as junior middle blocker Jorie Dieter set a new career high block total of nine. Wheeler added five roofs and Zwettler nabbed four stops.
Team-wise, the Panthers came up just short in total kills (60 to 64) hitting (.188 to .190), and aces (four to five), but led the Racers for assists (56 to 54), digs (89 to 81) and blocks (13 to 12).
The Racers were led by junior Ashley Nenninger's 17 kills, while sophomore Logan Su added 14 put-a-ways behind just one hitting error. Setter Jade Guo and Sara Hayden each finished with nine kills, with Hayden leading all players with 10 assisted roofs. Libero Kayleah Sauer upped 25 attacks to lead her squad in that stat category. However, the Panthers were able to keep Racer standout Becca Lamb off her game as she finished with just seven kills.
The match started off pretty well for the Panthers, as they pulled away from an opening set tie of 11-all and exploded for a 14-3 burst to easily win the frame. In fact, the Panthers finished with zero hitting errors off a .452 attack, nailing 14 total kills and out-blocking the Racers, four to none.
The second set was a much tighter affair with seven ties and four lead changes, however the Panthers eventually pulled out the 25-22, even though the home team was down 20-17 at one point in the match. But a couple Murray State miscues and crucial kills from Kelsey Orr and Chrissie Albers helped EIU enjoy a 23-20 advantage. Murray State did make things interesting, getting the next two points off consecutive kills, but Jessica Wheeler nailed a shot and then a Racer error gave the set to Eastern. With the win, EIU would take a commanding two set to none lead into the break.
From that point on, however, the Racers took control the match, coming back from the break to take the third set with ease, winning 25-12. That included a stretch of 13 points to only two for the Panthers. EIU ended up hitting zero percent in the set as compared to a .312 clip by Murray.
The fourth set, which had five ties and just one lead change, had the Racers taking a three point lead early on at 6-3, but the Panthers would tie it up at seven and then at 16-all. However, the visitors were able to pull ahead off a 5-1 run to lead 21-17. But that's when Eastern would battle back, eventually tying the set at 23-all thanks to kills from Alex Zwettler and Wheeler. Unfortunately straight kills by the Racers would pull the match even at two-sets apiece with the Racer win of 25-23.
The crucial fifth frame had the Racers lead early at 2-0. They would eventually pull ahead 5-2 and maintain a three-point advantage at the 8-5 point when the squads changed sides of the court. At that point, Eastern put on a final push, as a Murray State error and kills from Dieter and Zwettler would tie the set at 9-all. But the OVC rivals from the bluegrass state were able to pull off the come-from-behind victory, 15-10, thanks to a 6-1 final streak.
The Panthers will continue their season-ending homestand next weekend, hosting both Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State next Friday and Saturday, respectively.
… for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID
