The Eastern volleyball team’s winning streak was stopped at one after consecutive losses last weekend to Tennessee Martin and Murray State.

The Panthers (4-16, 1-9 Ohio Valley Conference) travel to Kentucky for two matches this weekend against Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State in search of their second league win.

Eastern travels first to Richmond, Ky., to play Eastern Kentucky (4-16, 3-8 OVC) at 7 p.m. The Panthers then have an hour drive to Morehead, Ky., to play the Eagles (18-4, 9-2 OVC) at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Eastern head coach Lori Bennett said the Panthers need to begin stringing together a few wins.

She said she knows they are capable of this following their 3-2 victory against Tennessee State on Oct. 11.

“We’re kind of in that place looking for consistency,” Bennett said. “It will be the thing that will push us over the edge. No matter if it’s home or the road, do your job and work hard.”

Bennett said her team has been practicing funneling potential digs to their diggers like freshman defensive specialist Brittany Wallace.

Serving aggressively and accurately is another focus to get opponents out of offensive systems, Bennett said.

Eastern committed 33 service errors in the last four matches. This 8.25 service errors per match is higher than the season average of six service errors per match.

Bennett noted passing was a reason why the Panthers dropped last weekend’s matches to Tennessee Martin and Murray State.

Eastern had a .123 hitting percentage compared to their opponents’ .352 hitting percentage.

“If we pass a little better, it will make it easier for the setter to hit the ball and the hitter to attack,” sophomore outside hitter Alex Zwettler said.

This past weekend, Eastern was out blocked 11-8. Eastern has been out blocked 124-79 this year.

Blocking will be vital to slow down the Morehead State attack, which has 1,076 kills.

“During practice, we’ve been working on eye work and shuffling our feet,” sophomore middle blocker Jorie Dieter said.

Eastern Kentucky is ranked seventh or lower in the OVC’s seven statistical categories and ranked last in five of those categories.

The Colonels are lead by junior outside hitter Lindsey Loescher. Loescher is second in the OVC with 267 kills and a 3.61 kills per set average.

Morehead State has been hot all season until the last two matches, losing to Austin Peay and Cincinnati.

These defeats halted an Eagles’ team that steamrolled to nine consecutive wins in conference play.

Bob Bajek can be reached at 581-7944 or at rtbajek@eiu.edu.