Freshman Katie Kirby and sophomore Reynae Hutchinson both had impressive showings in Friday and Sunday’s games.

Kirby helped the Panthers snap a six-match losing streak to Austin Peay. She had 14 kills and 10 digs, tying her single-game high this year in kills and registering her fourth kill-dig double-double this season. Kirby also had three block assists to help secure a victory.

In Sunday’s losing sweep, Kirby had five kills and five digs, bringing her overall total to 138 kills and 99 digs.

Sophomore Reynae Hutchinson also had 14 kills in the match against Austin Peay, but she had 20 digs.

Hutchinson had nine kills and eight digs in the losing effort against Tennessee State. Despite the loss, Hutchinson was also the EIUpanthers.com Female Athlete of the Week with a total of 120 kills and 91 digs.

Around the OVC

Despite entering Saturday’s Ohio Valley Conference match as the league’s best defensive team, UT-Martin was swept by opponent Morehead State.

Morehead State improved to 9-5 and 4-0 in the OVC winning three straight sets (25-21, 25-19, 26-24). UT-Martin fell to 7-7 and 2-2 in the OVC. Murray State sophomore libero Leslie Schellhaas entered the match ranked second in the league in digs, behind UT-Martin libero Kasey Elswick. But as the battle of the leagues best went on, Schellhaas came out on top scoring 29 to Elswick’s nine. The OVC’s top hitter, Murray State junior Ellie Roberson had 19 kills and hit .375 while also tallying two solo blocks.

The Southeast Missouri volleyball team won its third straight match Saturday afternoon as it defeated Tennessee Tech 3-1.

Southeast Missouri had 61 kills and nine blocks in the match while Tennessee Tech had 42 kills and five blocks.

Junior Karlee Lursen led Southeast Missouri with a game-high 17 kills. Lursen also added 16 digs and two blocking assists.

Southeast Missouri junior Brittney Kalinoski came close to her teammate with 16 kills, five digs and three blocking assists.

Lenny Arquilla can be reached at 581-7944 or [email protected].