Cougars fall 2-3 to Eastern Illinois Panthers – Volleyball News
The women’s volleyball squad of Eastern Illinois University posted a 3-2 (14-25, 18-25, 25-22, 25-18, and 15-12) win over the visiting SIU Edwardsville team on Tuesday, September 20. The Lantz Arena in Charleston, Illinois hosted the action-packed Ohio Valley
Conference match in the evening.
The SIUE Cougars opened the match on a very good note and clinched the first two sets but could not carry the momentum through the match. Eastern Illinois Panthers turned the match around with a brilliant performance and pulled off success with three consecutive
set wins. This was the second time in the 2011 season that the Cougars have slipped after gaining an early 2-0 lead.
The Panthers improved to an overall record of 3-10 in the running season, while Cougars received their eighth defeat of the year and are now at 6-8.
Panthers’ Reynae Hutchinson and Katie Kirby led all scorers with 14 kills apiece. In addition to excellent attack, Kirby did a great job at reception. She was credited with 14 digs in the match. Junior Emily Franklin gave out 11 kills, while Alison Berens
registered 10 points on kills. Four Panthers recorded double-digit kills in the match.
On the other hand, Julia Whitefield put up a nice effort for the Cougars. She proved to be the most effective player in her team with 13 kills and 11 digs. Likewise, Jessica Hemann actively attempted good attacks and clipped 11 kills, while Harris reached
the double figures with 10 points.
The Cougars put away the first points of the game quickly. Sammie Minton and Chelsea Colclasure delivered amazing aces and helped SIUE to take the early advantage. As the game progressed, the SIUE further stretched the gap of points and sealed the first
set win at 25-14.
The guest squad continued to control the net action in the second set. Heavy top spin serves from Cori Harris and Brianne Graunke’s defence allowed the Cougars to win another set with a 7-point margin, 25-18.
Panthers changed their game plan and put up a new spirited effort in the third set. Berens’ solid blocks broke the tempo of the SIUE hitters. Meanwhile, Franklin also joined hands with Berens and pushed the opponent behind the attack line. Cougars used different
tactics but could avoid the loss of the third set 22-25.
Fourth set was another win for the Panthers as Reynae Hutchinson and Katie Kirby formed a combination and wrecked the defence of the opposite side. The hosts evened the game score in fourth set by sending 25-18 onto the board.
In the final set, Panthers displayed another great show of volleyball and clawed their way to a win. They closed off the fifth set at 15-12, while Cougars lost the match.
"We were very good in sets one and two. We were very crisp, but we have to be a better all-around team," said SIUE Mentor Leah Johnson. He concluded his conversation with the following comment: "Win or lose, the people who can make you better are sitting
in this room. We have to hold each other more accountable in our training so that when the match gets tough, we get tougher."
Tags: