Volleyball vs. Tennessee State, 6 p.m.

Sugg. Head: Segal: Team needs to play better

Sugg. Subhead: Panthers return to home

After a four-set lost to Murray State Tuesday, the Eastern volleyball team will look to rebound against Tennessee State and Austin Peay at home at Lantz Arena this weekend.

The Panthers take on Tennessee State at 6 p.m. today. The Tigers are currently riding an nine-match losing streak and are 1-10 overall and 0-1 in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Despite the poor record, Eastern head coach Alan Segal knows his team cannot take the Tigers lightly as the Murray State team, which beat the Panthers Tuesday had a similar record.

“We played horrible,” head coach Alan Segal said. “We need to play better this weekend.”

Tennessee State is coming off of a four-set loss to Austin Peay (11-25, 25-19, 12-25, 20-25), but should be well rested as that match was played a week ago and the Tigers have not had a match since.

With a win Friday, the Panthers will hold a dominant lead in the series history with Tennessee State as the Panthers are 21-3 against the Tigers all time.

Tennessee State has recorded 11.13 kills per set this season and has a .113 hitting percentage.

Tiger sophomore Terakka Walker leads the team in kills with an average of 2.45 a set. Walker had a big game last week in the Tigers’ loss to Austin Peay, recording 11 kills and 12 digs. It was her third double-double performance of the season.

Another threat for the Tigers is junior Vicmari Prospero who averages 2.21 kills per set.

Tennessee State is not short on young talent either. Another player Eastern (7-8, 1-2) may have to watch out for is new up and coming freshman Calasia Williams who averages 3.03 digs per game, which leads the team.

Walker averages 2.89 digs per game.

Next up on the Panthers schedule is the Austin Peay Lady Govs, who will play Eastern at 2 p.m. Saturday in Lantz Arena.

The Lady Govs played their home opener against Eastern’s Friday night opponents Tennessee Tech. Austin Peay pleased home fans with a four set victory (25-11, 19-25, 25-12, 25-20).

Austin Peay is 7-4 overall and 1-0 in OVC play.

Kevin Maras can be reached at 581-7944 or kjmaras@eiu.edu.