Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – A balanced effort led Eastern Kentucky to a 3-0 victory over Eastern Illinois Friday night at McBrayer Arena. Three players registered a match-high 12 kills for the Colonels (5-16, 4-7 OVC).

Set scores were 25-20, 25-22 and 25-20.

Seniors Amanda Wilson and Bridget Mustard, along with junior Lindsey Loescher finished with 12 kills each for EKU. Wilson made only three errors, posted a .409 attack percentage and added four blocks. Mustard also committed only three errors and hit .321 for the match.

Sophomore Kate Hendle contributed a match-high 36 assists in the winning effort. Sophomore Abby O'Connor finished with a match-high 21 digs.

Melanie Boykins led the Panthers (4-17, 1-10 OVC) with nine kills. Alex Zwettler and Erin Hake each had seven kills. Shaina Boylan posted 19 digs for EIU.

A 12-3 Eastern Kentucky run in the first set broke an 8-8 tie. Wilson began the run with three straight kills and when Boykins made an attack error, the Colonels had a 20-11 lead. At set-point, 24-20, a Wilson kill ended the set and put EKU in front 1-0.

Wilson had seven of her 12 kills and a .700 attack percentage in the first set.

Mustard had seven of her 12 kills in the second set. The Colonels grabbed a 4-1 lead and never trailed in the set. After a kill by Wilson made it 13-8 in favor of Eastern Kentucky, the Panthers scored six of the next seven points to tie the score at 14-14. EKU responded with four straight points, including a kill by Mustard to push back on top 18-14. Back-to-back kills by Mustard extended the lead to 22-15. Loescher’s kill at set-point, 24-22, sent the Colonels to the locker room with a 2-0 lead.

After a kill by Kelsey Orr tied the third set at 7-7 for Eastern Illinois, Mustard returned the favor with a kill of her own and Eastern Kentucky never trailed again on its way to the 3-0 sweep. A kill by Wilson made it a five-point score, 14-9. A kill by Loescher extended the advantage to seven, 20-13. Kate Hendle ended the match with one of her eight kills on the night.

EKU finished with 48 kills in 126 attacks for a .254 hitting percentage. The Panthers posted 39 kills in 122 attacks and hit .197 for the match.

The Colonels will conclude their two-game home stand on Saturday against Southeast Missouri State. The match is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m.