The Panthers are looking to take a victory into Family Weekend by beating University of Tennessee at Martin on their home court.

Last season, the sophomore Reynae Hutchinson recorded her third career kill-dig double-double in the first match of the season against Tennessee-Martin. She had 11 kills and 16 digs in the victory.

In the two teams next meeting at home, Hutchinson once again led the team with nine kills and three digs.

The Panthers are looking to hand Tennessee-Martin their fourth consecutive loss in the all-time series between the two league rivals, as the Panthers now enjoy a 20-12 series advantage.

In both wins last season, the Panthers were leading in almost every stat category, including kills and assists.

Last season, the Panthers went 6-1 in both series, beating Tennessee-Martin 3-1 in first meeting and sweeping them in the second.

Even in this weekend’s losses, Junior Emily Franklin and Hutchinson still put on an impressive showing against Eastern Kentucky and reigning Ohio Valley Conference Champions Morehead State.

Franklin had 35 digs and 12 kills last weekend while Hutchinson scored 26 kills and 27 digs.

Hutchinson was also the female athlete of the week last week and is building a good campaign to go for a second with a total of 120 kills and 91 digs to her name.

The Panthers do not play Tennessee-Martin until after Tuesdays away game at Southeast Missouri, who just lost a four-set contest at Tennessee-Martin.

“We do not like to focus on games other than the upcoming games,” head coach Kate Pryce.

She also said the most important game is the next one and that after Tuesday, the team will be preparing for its game against Tennessee-Martin.

It would be a good start to bring home a victory from Southeast Missouri and then carry that momentum into Tennessee and go two for two in the week.

The Panthers are currently 2-5 in the conference.

The next game is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 14 against Jacksonville State on its home court.

Lenny Arquilla can be reached at 581-7944 or lrarquilla@eiu.edu.