QUICK SETS
* Eastern Illinois volleyball will begin their 2017 season home at the EIU Panther Invitational this weekend (Aug.25-26). The four-team event will be played in Lantz Arena.  Admission is free.
* EIU will open the season facing Memphis on Friday evening at 7 p.m. The Panthers will return for a Saturday afternoon match-up against Memphis at 1 p.m. Eastern Illinois will close out tournament play on Saturday evening against Bradley at 7 p.m.
* Third-year head coach Samantha Wolinski and the rest of the Panthers will look to build off of a 5-26 record last season.
* This weekend's EIU Panther Invitational marks the first of three consecutive weekend tournaments for the Panthers in the 2017 season. Following this weekend's action, the Panthers will head to Denver for the Denver Tournament to take on Niagara, UC Davis, and Denver.
 
 
2017 EIU PANTHER INVITATIONAL SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25
Memphis vs. Bradley… 4 p.m.
EIU vs. Green Bay…7 p.m.
 
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26
Green Bay vs. Bradley… 10:30 a.m.
EIU vs. Memphis…1 p.m.
Memphis vs. Green Bay...4 p.m.
Bradley vs. EIU…7 p.m.
 
A LOOK AT THE 2017 PANTHERS
The Panthers welcome back junior outside hitter/setter Taylor Smith. Smith appeared in 28 matches, making 27 starts as a sophomore. Last season she led the NCAA in triple-doubles, breaking her own school record of most kill-assist-dig triple-doubles in a season with eight.  Smith finished earning spots on the Country Inn & Suites Green Bay Invitational & EIU Panther Classic All-Tournament Teams.

Maggie Runge is a player to keep an eye on this season. Runge earned honorable mention Freshman All-American by PrepVolleyball.com for the 2016 season. Runge appeared in 24 matches during the season making 18 starts.  She was second on the team in total blocks with 91 while ranking second in the Ohio Valley Conference in blocks per set average at 1.17.  She added 91 kills with a season high hitting percentage of .474 against UT Martin.

Eastern Illinois volleyball team closed exhibition play last Saturday with a 3-2 loss to IUPUI (17-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-19, 12-15).  EIU battled back to take both the third and fourth sets with hitting percentages of .316, .303.  Helping contribute to the Panthers success was senior Allie Hueston who was one of three Panthers with eight kills along with Taylor Smith and freshman Kylie Michael.  Gina Furlin lead the Panthers in assists with 16.  Smith also contributed in digs with a team high 18.  Laurel Bailey totaled three blocks.
 
NEW TO THE PROGRAM
The Panthers 2017 roster will feature seven new members suiting up in a Panther uniform for the first time in their career. Coach Wolinski added five freshmen, and two transfer students to the 2017 roster.  The freshmen class includes Madison Cunningham (DS/L), Caroline Kirchmer (RS), Madison Kassaros (DS), Laurel Bailey (OH), and Kylie Michael (OH).  Two transfer students have joined Eastern Illinois this season Breanna Jager (So/S) transfer from Middle Tennessee, and Lexi May (So/MH/RS) transfer from New Mexico State.
 
SCOUTING THE EIU PANTHER INVITATIONAL
The Panthers will take on familiar opponents this weekend facing Green Bay, Memphis and Bradley. The Panthers have met Green Bay for a total of 11 matches holding a 8-3 record. EIU and Memphis met in six previous contests, and the Panthers will face an unfamiliar opponent in Bradley University.

Green Bay finished the 2016 season with a record of 21-9 and 12-4 in the Horizon League.  Green Bay will return senior middle blocker Lydia Deweese who recorded a total of 315 kills, and 187 blocks last season, and junior outside hitter Jessica Wolf who tallied a total 288 kills last season.

Memphis closed out their 2016 season recording a record of 15-17 and 7-13 in American Athletic Conference play. Returning this season for Memphis is sophomore outside hitter Tai Bierria who finished last season with a total of 219 points and tallied 192 kills. Also returning to action for the Tigers is sophomore middle blocker Brianna Kadiku who scored a total of 175 points, recording 92 blocks.

 Bradley finished the 2016 season posting an overall record of 7-22 and 2-16 in the Missouri Valley conference. Returning for the Braves are junior outside hitter Erica Haslag and senior outside hitter Jamie Livaudais. Haslag posted a total of 320 kills last season for the Braves, and Livaudais contributed 183 kills.
 
UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS
Following this weekend's EIU Panther Invitational, the Panthers will travel to Denver for the Denver Tournament where they will take on Niagara, UC Davis, and Denver. The tournament is set to be played Sept. 1-2.