During the Ohio Valley Conference’s regular season, the Panther volleyball team lost only once – to the Eastern Kentucky Colonels.

History repeated itself last Monday in the finals of O’Reilly OVC Volleyball Tournament, as Eastern (25-6) fell to the Colonels in three games, 24-30, 25-30 and 19-30. The defeat ended the Panthers’ season.

By winning the tournament, the Colonels (27-4) earn the OVC’s automatic bid into the 64-team NCAA Volleyball Championship Tournament.

Freshman setter Maren Crabtree said the loss doesn’t spoil the Panthers’ most successful season in the past three years.

“We wanted to win and are disappointed we didn’t, but we still had an awesome year,” Crabtree said. “You don’t want to end the year with a loss, but losing like that motivates you for next year.”

The Panthers were unable to get much offense going, as EKU stifled the Panthers attack and held them to a .190 hitting percentage.

Senior outside hitter Erica Gerth led the Panthers with 17 kills and 12 digs. Junior middle blocker Megan Kennedy had 10 kills while hitting at a team-high .429 clip. Both players represented Eastern on the All-Tournament Team. Senior middle hitter Shanna Ruxer added seven kills in her final match as a Panther.

While the Colonels caused the Eastern offense to sputter, the EKU attack surged.

EKU outside hitters, senior Lesley Aldridge and freshman Amy Arlinghaus, led the Colonels with 17 kills each. Aldridge was the tournament’s MVP and one of four Colonels receiving All-Tournament honors.

“I felt like every ball was hit at me,” Crabtree said. “I was overwhelmed.”

Before falling to EKU, Eastern defeated Jacksonville State in four games on Sunday, Nov. 21, in the tournament’s semi-final round.

The Panthers were paced by the OVC’s Player of the Year, Gerth, who scorched the Gamecocks for a match-high 22 kills.

Crabtree, Kennedy and junior libero Aja Kohlbecker all recorded 14 digs to lead the Panther defense. Junior libero Heather Redenbo added 12 digs in the win.

The Panthers lose two seniors, Gerth and Ruxer, to graduation, but return the rest of a team that won a share of the OVC’s regular season crown.