RICHMOND, Ky. - The Eastern Kentucky volleyball split action in day two of the Nike Challenge, falling to Arkansas State 3-2 earlier this afternoon but responding with a 3-0 victory over IUPUI to end the tournament. The Colonels conclude the weekend with a even 6-6 record and finished third at the event.

In the win over IUPUI (30-18, 30-25, 30-25), seniors Jessica Sabath and Kelly Jennings both recorded double-doubles. Sabath recorded 14 kills and 10 digs while Jennings added a game-high 36 assists and 11 digs.

The Colonels held the lead for the duration of the game in the first contest, pulling ahead by eight as freshman Abbey Blank served six straight points. Following a pair of Panther attack errors, senior Kasha Brozek's kill gave Eastern the 12-point win.

In the second game, after a 3-3 tie, Eastern Kentucky stayed in front, allowing the Panthers to get within one point (18-17) but three consecutive IUPUI attack errors widened the gap. The Colonels took the 2-0 game lead off a service ace from Blank, her only of the night, for the 30-25 win.

After two early ties in the third game, Eastern Kentucky held the slight advantage, taking its largest lead of five (28-23) before winning their first game of the weekend.

Earlier in the day, junior Amy Arlinghaus tallied a career-high 23 kills, her first-ever 20+kill match, and added nine digs in Eastern's tight 3-2 loss (28-30, 30-26, 28-30, 30-26, 15-7) to Arkansas State. Sabath added another double-double with 12 kills and 19 digs.

In the first game, the Colonels held as much as a nine-point lead but allowed the Lady Indians to get within one point (29-28) before a kill from Sabath put the Colonels ahead 1-0. Eastern Kentucky trailed the majority of the second game, fighting back from eight-point deficit to get within three but fell 30-26 off a Arkansas State kill.

Game three was tight with 15 ties, the final coming at 28-28 before the Colonels again claimed a two-point win off a Jennings' kill and Lady Indian attack error. In the fourth contest, Arkansas State took its first double-figure lead (18-8) after a pair of four-point scoring runs. Sophomore Bridget Mustard served five consecutive points to get the Colonels within three (25-22) but EKU was unable to overcome the early disadvantage.

Arkansas State dominated the fifth game, starting the contest with five unanswered points, before taking the eight point win.

Belmont's Erin Janson was named MVP of the tournament and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Colleen Nilson (Belmont), Cat Mundy (Belmont), Randilyne Volkmer (Arkansas State), Robin Aaron (Arkansas State), Brittany Nobilio (Eastern Kentucky) and Christy McConnell (IUPUI).

The Colonels open OVC play on Wednesday, September 20, hosting Morehead State at 7 p.m.