Box Score

CHICAGO, Ill. – Eastern Kentucky jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but couldn't stave off a rally from Southern Illinois Edwardsville in a 3-2 loss on the final day of the Loyola Tournament Saturday in Chicago.
 
The Cougars won by scores of 18-25, 22-25, 25-21, 25-23 and 15-11.
 
Molly Michalak had a match-best 19 kills and 20 digs for Eastern Kentucky.  Sarah Mitchell added 16 kills with a .361 attack percentage.  Mikayla Logan had 12 kills, just two errors and a.476 attack percentage.  Taylor Grinley led all players with 45 assists and Sydney Schoen had a match-high 21 digs.
 
Anna Purichia earned a spot on the Loyola All-Tournament Team.  In three matches, she averaged 2.36 kills per set while posting a .153 attack percentage.  She had 10 kills and five digs in the finale.
 
With a 2-1 lead in the match, EKU took a 22-21 lead in the fourth set on a kill by Katie McKune.  A kill by Michalak a few plays later tied the set 23-23 before SIUE won the next two points to take the set and tie the match 2-2.
 
The fifth set was tied five times, with the last coming at 9-9 after a kill from Michalak.  The Cougars scored the next five points to reach match-point.  EKU (1-5) drew within three, 14-11, before a kill by Savannah Christian ended it.
 
Julia Treichel finished with 13 kills for SIU Edwardsville (2-4).
 
EKU will play host to the Colonel Challenge on Friday and Saturday, featuring a total of six matches over two days.  Eastern Kentucky will play New Mexico State at 12 p.m. on Friday and Western Illinois at 6 p.m. on Friday.