The Eastern volleyball team didn’t end up smelling like a flower during its weekend trip to the Rose State as the Panthers lost all three matches at the Hilton Garden Inn/Viking Showcase.

In a tournament featuring an undefeated program (San Francisco) and a pair of teams with just one loss (Portland State) and two losses (Air Force) on their season record, Eastern saw its losing streak extended to eight games.

The Panthers opened the weekend against host Portland State at the Stott Center. In the first game, Eastern gave the Vikings all they could handle before losing the game 31-29. The Panthers had a higher hitting percentage than Portland State (.273 to .222), but had little to show for the effort in game one.

The second game was equally close as the Panthers again lost by two points, this time 30-28. Portland State swept the Panthers with a 30-24 win in game three to end the match.

“Statistically, we beat them but the games didn’t go our way,” Panthers head coach Brenda Winkeler said.

Last week Winkeler talked about getting Sarah Niedospial a bigger role in the offense and the sophomore responded against the Vikings. Niedospial played in all three games and recorded four kills and a .286 hitting percentage. The outside hitter also added three service aces and 14 defensive digs.

“Sarah did a good job,” Winkeler said. “We got her more involved.”

Freshman Mary Welch also stayed hot in the opening matchup with 13 kills and .357 hitting percentage.

Unfortunately, the Panthers couldn’t contain true freshman Jessica Vanzant who connected on 10 of her 17 kill attempts to go along with four service aces.

“We definitely followed our game plan and tried to stop their best players,” Winkeler said. “Vanzant hurt us, but the match was close.”

The Panthers next had the unenviable challenge of taking on undefeated San Francisco who entered the game with a 13-0 record, just one win away from tying a school-record with 14 consecutive wins. The Dons made certain to tie the record with a convincing three game sweep of the Panthers 30-17, 30-23, 30-16.

The Panthers shot a disappointing .184 combined in the three games and committed nine service errors to go with just two service aces. San Francisco proved why it’s one of the top 30 teams in the nation, as the Dons posted a .380 hitting percentage and seven service aces. Six different players had a hitting percentage of over .400 during the three games.

Despite losing the first two games, Eastern saved its best effort for the tournament finale against Air Force. In game one, Eastern posted its biggest win of the season 30-14. In games two and three, the matches were similar to the Portland State showdown as Eastern played close but still came up short 30-26 and 30-27. The Panthers stayed alive in game four with a 30-28 win, but lost a grueling fifth game 16-14 to the Falcons.

Sophomore middle hitter Megan Kennedy had her best match of the tournament with 17 kills and a .393 hitting percentage. Erica Gerth continued her solid play with a team-high 24 kills. The El Paso, Ill., native had a service ace and 16 defensive digs.

“Erica performed statistically well in the both the offensive and defensive sides of the game,” Winkeler said.

For Air Force, three Falcons finished the match in double figures in kills.

Senior outside hitter Delavanne Diaz and sophomore middle hitter Kristin Hamlett each had 16 kills and junior middle hitter Lamecca Jefferson joined with 14 kills. Air Force won the match despite hitting .215 on the afternoon.

“Air Force is a good team they are led by their upperclassmen,” Winkeler said. “But I feel good about our level of play.”