The Eastern volleyball teams’ three-game winning streak came to an end Tuesday at Lantz Arena after a 3-1 loss to Indiana State, 19-25, 25-16, 17-25, 26-28.

This was the Panthers’ first match at home this season, but it is unusual for the Panthers to play in Lantz so early in the season.

“It was exciting to play at home at such an early time in the season, because we don’t really get the chance to do that very often,” senior captain Stephanie Wallace said. “It was awesome to see so many fans out here. It was disappointing that we couldn’t have had a better turnout for ourselves.”

Wallace made a lot of diving plays, which helped her get 17 digs in the match. Her 17 digs led all players on both teams.

Lantz Arena was filled with fans, which coach Sam Wolinski said was great to see.

“It was a great crowd, great energy, hopefully they keep that coming the rest of the season,” she said.

Heading into the fourth set, the Panthers were down 2-1 so it was a must win to force a fifth set.

Indiana State pulled out the win 28-26 in a set that consisted of back and forth play. The Panthers led by three, three times in the set, which was the biggest lead for either team.

The Panthers were up 20-17 and Wolinski feels that they let the Sycamores hang on too long.

“It’s a game to five for us,” Wolinski said. “So just giving them a little bit of hope instead of us being the aggressor, we kind of got a little bit timid and let them get back into it.”

The Panthers dropped the first set by a score of 25-19.

The Sycamores came out strong scoring seven out of the first 10 points in the game. A comeback was almost completed by the Panthers late in the game when they scored six out of seven to take a 19-17 lead.

The comeback was stopped as the Sycamores scored nine straight to win the set.

Sophomore Allie Hueston led the Panthers with five kills.

Senior captain, Marah Bradbury dished out a team leading 10 assists in the game.

After dropping the first set, the Panthers came out strong in the second to get a 25-16 win. The Panthers took the final seven points of the set.

The Panthers never trailed in the set. They also led by seven midway through the set by a score of 14-7, with that being their largest lead until the final nine.

Indiana State would win the set three though by a score of 25-17 in a set that Wolinski said that they just did not play well enough.

“We didn’t serve well, and that didn’t help us,” Wolinksi said.

The Panthers will be back on the court this weekend at the DePaul Invitational in Chicago.

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