TURN BACK THE CLOCK TUESDAY is a feature on www.EIUpanthers.com  where we look back at some of the great moments in Eastern Illinois University Athletic history.

Click here to relive some of the greatest Panther moments

Nov. 17, 2001 - Eastern Illinois stunned regular-season champ, and tourney host, UT Martin to win a five-set Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship thriller (29-31, 30-26, 22-30, 34-32, 15-13).  The win gave the Panthers their first-ever NCAA Division I Tournament berth in volleyball program history.

EIU then traveled up I-57 to play 4th-Ranked Arizona in the regional hosted by the University of Illinois. 

Despite being cheered on by a large, partisan crowd, including most of the Fighting Illini fans in attendance, EIU would end up dropping a tough three-set affair to the Wildcats (14-30, 14-30, 21-30), ending the season at 21-9 overall and 12-4 in league play.

Three Panthers earned All-OVC Tournament honors following the huge win over the UTM Skyhawks, including middle blocker Marcia Hahn, setter Rebecca Ooyen, and tournament MVP, middle hitter Carrie Stevens.  Prior to the championship, the Panthers had finished as league tournament runner-ups twice, (in 1996 and 1997), while also coming up just short in 2004 as well.