PITTSBURGH, Penn. – The Eastern Kentucky University volleyball team heads to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this weekend to close out non-league play in the Panther Challenge hosted by the University of Pittsburgh.
 
EKU will play one game on Friday against Cleveland State University at 4:30 p.m. and two games on Saturday against Pitt (10:00 a.m.) and the University of California Santa Barbara at 5 p.m.  
 
 
HERE'S THE SKINNY:
 
-EKU (2-9) dropped a four set midweek decision against Seattle University at home on Tuesday night.  
 
-In the match senior Ciera Koons notched five blocks, followed closely by Kaylin Johnson who tallied four.
 
-Cassie Knutson, Celina Sanks and Ciera Koons each notched seven kills to lead the Colonels in the contest.
 
-Junior libero Chloe Rojas was named Cactus Classic All-Tournament last weekend hosted by the University of South Carolina.
 
-Nikki Drost leads the charge for the hitters, averaging 2.71 kills-per-set.
 
-EKU returns all letterwinners from last season.
 
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS:
 
CLEVELAND STATE
-The Vikings (5-3) ride a three-match win streak into the Challenge, most recently sweeping the Chippewa Challenge at Central Michigan.
 
-Cleveland State has taken 3-of-5 wins in three sets.
 
-The hitting corps is averaging a .282 percentage on the season.
 
-Alexis Middlebrooks leads the hitters, averaging 3.39 kills-per-set.
 
 
PITT
-Pittsburgh (4-4) comes into the weekend winning three of its last four matches after falling to No. 25 Iowa State in Dayton, Ohio last weekend.
 
-The Panthers lead opponents in kills (403-349) and assists (365-320).
-Kamalani Akeo leads all players with 8.87 assists-per-set.
 
 
UCSB
-The Gauchos have had a tough start to the 2017 season, coming into the Panther Challenge with a 0-9 mark on the season.
 
-Outside hitter Lindsey Ruddins ranks second in the nation and first in the Big West conference, averaging 5.36 kills-per-set.
 
 
WHAT'S NEXT:
 
-The Colonels begin league action next weekend with a swing in Nashville, Tennessee. The squad will square off against Tennessee State on Friday at 7 p.m. and Belmont on Saturday at 3 p.m.