The Eastern volleyball has a three game win streak heading into the weekend as they will host Austin Peay on Friday and undefeated Murray State on Saturday.

The Panthers took on both schools two weeks ago and found themselves on the winning end with Austin Peay but lost all three sets to Murray State.

Eastern’s three-game-win-streak came after the loss to Murray State Oct. 9.

Even though the Panthers have had success as of late, coach Sam Wolinski said the team is always looking to get one percent better every hit.

Wolinski said that Murray State has been consistent and have taken care of what they need to take care of all year which is why they are undefeated.

“Even when a couple of their hitters are off, other people are stepping it up,” Wolinski said.

She added that Murray State’s side-out game is stellar.

Murray State also serves from deep behind the end-line and it allows them to be a very strong serving team.

“If we can control their serving game and be successful in our side-out game that will be the biggest first step,” Wolinski said. “If we can have a balance on offense and in the back row it will be a very good match between two very good teams.”

Austin Peay has struggled all year long sitting at 1-7, but Wolinski said they are getting better but just haven’t been able to find the win column.

Even thought Austin Peay has a losing record, the Panthers are going to play them as if they were any other team.

“We look at every match as ‘lets get another win, let’s make sure we’re taking care of business in conference,’” Wolinski said. “That’s the first step.”

The matches two weeks ago were in Austin Peay’s arena and Murray State’s arena, so the Panthers are excited to get back in Lantz Arena.

Wolinski said that playing a team twice in a two week span is tough and that they just need to embrace and celebrate the fact that they get to play in Lantz on Homecoming weekend.

Murray State was the only team in OVC play that didn’t allow the Panthers to get a set win and Wolinski said that the Panthers are a different team this time around.

The Racers are at the top of the conference and Eastern is right behind them in second place with a 6-2 record so it is setting up for a good matchup as the mid-way point of the season has passed.

The match against Austin Peay will start at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday’s match with Murray State will start at 6 p.m.

Sean Hastings can be reached at 581-2812 or smhastings@eiu.edu