The Eastern volleyball team posted a perfect 3-0 record to win the Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne Invitational over the weekend.

The Panthers were down 2-0 to Central Michigan in the second match of the weekend but would win three straight sets to get the win.

After losing the first two sets by scores of 25-19 and 24-16, the Panthers came out strong and got the ball rolling in the third winning 25-15.

After winning the fourth set 25-20, the Panthers came out and won the deciding fifth set 15-13.

The Panthers scored first on an attacking error by Central Michigan sophomore Jordan Bueter as senior Marah Bradbury and Allie Hueston recorded the block.

The teams traded points almost the entire set, but the Panthers scored two in a row to take a big 13-11 lead. They would trade points once again, but it wasn’t enough as the Panthers scored that final 15^th point.

Senior Chelsea Lee killed home the final point on an assist from senior Marah Bradbury. Bradbury had 45 assists in the match.

Eastern coach Sam Wolinski was very happy how the team was able to fight through and get the match win.

“(I’m) very proud of the way our team fought to come back from an 0-2 deficit and win the match,” Wolinski said.

Wolinski said that the team’s serve-receive game was outstanding in sets 3-to-5 and was a big reason why they won.

The Panthers took down the University of Illinois at Chicago on Friday winning the match 3-1, (25-23, 19-25, 25-18, 25-16).

Senior Chelsea Lee led the Panthers in kills with 15. Fellow senior Kayla Nesbitt added 11 and sophomore Allie Hueston had eight.

Wolinski said she was happy with how Lee and Nesbitt were performing on the outside.

“They were able to terminate when we needed them to terminate,” Wolinski said.

Red-shirt senior Abby Saalfrank also made her return to the court after being injured last season and Wolinski liked what she saw from her in her first match.

Bradbury helped contribute to getting the kills by dishing out 42 assists in the match.

Senior Stephanie Wallace led the team with 21 digs in the match.

In the final match of the weekend the Panthers earned a clean sweep of IPFW 3-0, (25-18, 25-18, 28-26).

Wolinski said their side out game was outstanding in the first two sets along with their serving game.

Overall, Wolinski said she was very proud of what they were able to do this weekend.

“They fought hard and trusted in the process which led to our success. An amazing way to start the season,” Wolinski said.

The Panthers will be playing their first home match of the season at Lantz Arena on Tuesday against Indiana State at 6 p.m. It will be the last time they will be at home until Sept. 25.

Sean Hastings can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].