By Anthony Catezone

Sports Editor

@AnthonyCatz

The Eastern volleyball team went 2-0 this weekend against Ohio Valley Conference foes to improve to 5-3 in conference, moving back into third place overall.

The Panthers began Homecoming Weekend with a win over Austin Peay — the OVC’s west division leader — in a five-set comeback (23-25, 26-28, 25-22, 25-16, 15-11) on Friday.

The Lady Governors took the first two sets in Lantz Arena and even controlled the third set for much of the match, leading several times in the third set.

Their 4-0 jumpstart in the third set eventually turned into a 15-12 lead. The Panthers fought back to tie the set at 16, but not until the Lady Governors regained the lead at 20-18.

Eastern, however, reeled off a 7-2 run to close out the match and seal a 25-22 victory. Senior outside hitter Reynae Hutchinson had three of the Panthers final seven points. The third set featured nine tied scores and five lead changes.

The fourth and fifth sets were a different story, as there was just one tied score and no lead changes in the fourth set, and four of both in the fifth set.

Eastern hit a combined .297 over the last three sets, after hitting just .151 in the first two sets.

Hutchinson led all players with 22 kills. She also recorded 11 digs for her 35th career double-double of her career.

Fellow outside hitters Chelsea Lee and Lexi Brown recorded 14 and 10 kills, respectively, to round out the Panthers to hit in double digits.

Sophomore setter Marah Bradbury had a game-high 52 assists on 69 Panther kills. A team-high 15 digs gave Bradbury her 14th career double-double, as well.

Middle blocker Amy Martin led the Panthers with a .455 attack on six kills.

Eastern edged Austin Peay in attack (.217 to .172), assists (66 to 61), digs (75 to 71) and points (85 to 78).

On Saturday, Eastern then followed with a four-set win over Murray State (25-23, 25-21, 15-25, 25-22) that improved the Panthers to 11-10 overall on the season.

Eastern hit .196 or more in every set except for a .050 attack in the loss in the third set. Eastern remains the second best OVC team in attack, hitting .221 in conference play.

Hutchinson led the Panthers again with 14 kills along with Lee. Hutchinson’s 17 digs made her performance the 36th double-double of her career. She is now second in the OVC with four kills per set in conference play.

Martin was the top Panther in attack once again, hitting .348 as the third Eastern player to hit in double digit kills with 12.

Bradbury also recorded the 15th double-double of her career with 47 assists and 12 digs. Her 11.90 assists per set in conference play continues to lead the OVC.

Middle blocker Stephanie Arnold led all players with 10 blocks. She fell just one block short of her career high, while adding eight kills against the Racers. The Panthers won the block battle 15 to 11.

Anthony Catezone can be reached at 581-21812 or ajcatezone@eiu.edu.