The Eastern volleyball team will look to snap a four-match losing streak as it heads to the Eastern Kentucky tournament this Friday.  

The Panthers are 2-5 overall and are currently in seventh place in the OVC.  

The Panthers’ most recent loss came against Western Illinois, 3-0.

Junior outside hitter Giovana Larregui Lopez led the Panthers during the match with 13 kills. Lopez is currently second in the conference in kills with 91 and 34th in the NCAA. 

Defensively, the Panthers were led by junior libero Christina Martinez Mundo. Mundo had 13 digs and she is currently tied for first place with 130 digs for the season. 

Catalina Rochaix continues to be essential for the Panthers. Against the Leathernecks, Rochaix had 26 assists, one assist short of tying her season high of 27. 

Junior middle blocker Emily Wilcox had a season high of four kills against the Leathernecks and had a .600 hitting percentage to lead the team. 

Purdue Fort Wayne will be the Panthers’ first opponent Friday at 9 a.m. The Mastodons are 3-3 overall and are led by senior outside hitter Sidney Schiller who has 74 kills for the season. Senior libero Rachael Crucis had 103 digs to lead the team.  

The Panthers will then take on Saint Francis at 2 p.m. The Saints are 6-4 and are led by Korrin Burns and Maggie Hogan who have 72 and 70 kills for the season, respectively. Emma Fenton had 192 assists to lead the Saints.  

To wrap up the tournament, the Panthers will take on Eastern Kentucky at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Colonels are 5-2 overall and are led by Molly Michalak who has 67 kills for the season and 82 digs. Sara Mitchel is second on the team in kills with 62.  

The Panthers will be back in Lantz Arena next Wednesday at 7 p.m. to take on Illinois.  

Autumn Schulz can be reached at 581-2812 or at acschulz@eiu.edu