The Harvard Invitational has ended and the Eastern women’s volleyball team finished up the weekend with a 3-1 record.

The Panthers defeated New Hamphire, Bryant, and Harvard, with their only loss coming to Boston College in the final of Eastern’s four matches in the two-day tournament this past Saturday and Sunday.

With this tournament being the Panthers’ first action of the season, the team will look to build on its performance and improve.

Junior setter Chrissie Albers and senior right-side hitter Erin Hake were named to the All-Tournament team, a first-time accomplishment for each.

The Panthers opened the tournament on Friday afternoon with a four-set win over Bryant, 25-23, 23-25, 26-24, 25-20.

Then, they continued their roll later in the day with another four set win over tournament host, Harvard, 25-17, 21-25, 25-13, 25-19.

The team opened day two of the tournament with a straight-set sweep of New Hampshire, 25-20, 25-17, 25-14, putting them at a record of 3-0 with one game remaining later in the day with Boston College.

However, the run ended following a loss to Boston College in three sets, 26-28, 18-25, 22-25.

Despite ending the weekend on a sour note, the ladies came out with a 3-1 record to begin their regular season and will look to improve and carry some positive momentum into conference play, which begins on Sept. 24.

Conference play opens against Morehead State at home following invitational tournaments in East Lansing, Mich. and Pittsburgh, Penn. at Michigan State University and Pittsburgh, respectively.

Also, the Panthers will matchup in Macomb, Ill. against Western Illinois on Sept. 20.

The Panthers play in the Michigan State Invitational beginning Friday against Eastern Michigan at 3:30 p.m. in East Lansing, Mich.

Bradley Kupiec can be reached at 581-7944 or

bmkupiec@eiu.edu.