After an uncharacteristic offensive performance last night, Morehead State volleyball's offensive woes continued on Saturday in a three-set defeat at Eastern Illinois. The Panthers (9-16, 4-6 OVC) swept the Eagles (16-7, 7-3 OVC), taking the match 25-23, 25-16, and 25-14.
Morehead State finished the match hitting at a .115 clip, posting back-to-back games with an efficiency under .200 for the first time this season. The loss also marks only the second time this season the team has lost consecutive games and the first since mid-September versus Power Five opponents West Virginia and Wake Forest.
Sophomore outside hitter Olivia Lohmeier reached double-digit kills for Morehead State, recording 13 of the team's 34 total kills. By reaching double-figures, she has notched 10 or more terminations in four consecutive matches, tying her season-long streak. Lohmeier finished the match with a .220 hitting percentage, leading both sides with a match-high 41 swings.
Freshman back row players Allison Whitten and Olivia Montelisciani both scooped up double-digit balls for Morehead State. Whitten, the Eagle libero, dug up a team-high 15 opponent attacks while Montelisciani added 12 of her own. Whitten has recorded double-digit digs in 12 straight matches for the Eagles, a streak that dates back to the middle of September. Montelisciani reached double-figures for the fourth consecutive match, her longest streak of the season.
Morehead State finished the match with three total blocks, paced by senior middle blocker Maddie Fella's pair as Lohmeier, redshirt senior middle blocker Jessie Wachtman, senior right-side hitter Jordan Jones, and redshirt sophomore Chandler Clark each added a block assist.
Eastern Illinois was led by a near triple-double from senior outside hitter and setter Taylor Smith. Smith led the Panthers with 13 kills, 16 assists, and nine digs. Redshirt junior libero Anne Hughes paced the Eastern Illinois back line, scooping up a match-high 16 digs.
Morehead State returns to the court next Friday, continuing the team's five-game road swing at Tennessee Tech. The Eagles face the Golden Eagles (7 p.m. ET) before traveling to the OVC's southern-most foe Jacksonville State (3 p.m.) on Saturday.
