An 8-2 run in the fourth set helped Eastern Illinois volleyball secure a 3-1 ( 25-18, 25-19, 23-25, 25-21) win Saturday over Southeast Missouri in the Gardella Family Court at Mcafee Gym.  

The fourth set was very aggressive from both sides as the Panthers (11-6, 5-2) and Redhawks (12-9, 4-4) went back-and-forth for the majority of the set.  

Sophomore outside hitter Destiny Walker tied the set 18-18 after delivering a kill right after senior outside hitter Lilli Amettis subbed in for the first time all game and recorded a kill as well. 

Blocks from senior setter Catalina Rochaix, senior middle blocker Emma Schroeder and Walker spurred a 6-0 run that helped Eastern get the lead and continue to separate from SEMO at 24-19.  

The Redhawks tried to come back by taking advantage of an attack error from EIU and delivering an ace, but an assist from Rochaix to Schroeder led to her delivering the final kill on match-point to defeat SEMO. 

Walker led both teams with 21 kills and 23.5 points. 

Schroeder led the team with three blocks and finished the night with nine kills and 12 points.  

“We played some really, really good volleyball in those first two sets.” Eastern head coach Ryan Millar said. “Granted to them, they made some changes and played well in that third set and the fourth set [and gave] us some trouble as well.” 

The third set was very similar to the fourth set. SEMO and EIU were going point for point until the end. 

Very early into the set, the Panthers shanked the ball and Walker hustled and ran into the wall while trying to keep the ball in play. Although she was successful in keeping the play alive, Eastern didn’t get that point.  

Senior outside hitter Tori Mohesky later in the set delivered back-to-back aces despite a timeout being called between each serve to almost tie the score, with SEMO leading 21-20. 

With the score 23-22 SEMO, Schroeder delivered a kill to tie the game. SEMO went on to win the next point with a kill from Marin Johnson, which moved the score to 24-23 with SEMO still in the lead. It was now the match point for the Redhawks. 

Another big block by Rochaix and sophomore middle blocker Anaya Rawlinson had appeared to tie the game again at 24-24, however, SEMO challenged that there was a net violation. After a review, the Redhawks got the point and won the set.  

Overall, EIU’s defense was a crucial part of EIU’s game this weekend.  

Sophomore libero Ariadna Pereles had 26 digs leading both EIU and SEMO. Kopshever and Rochaix each had 15 digs. 

Rawlinson said she has so much trust in her defense and that allows the team to play more aggressive offensively. The defense was tested in the first two sets, with SEMO begining the game strong offensively. 

“So we actually talked about it right before we went on the court and our coaches were telling us to expect them to come out harder just because yesterday was such a good game,” said Rawlinson. “But I think just because of all the support and trust that the team pours into each other as a whole, we were used to this. And we didn’t fold under pressure, which was really good.” 

Eastern will stay at home for a midweek game against Western Illinois on Tuesday.  

The game is set for a 6 p.m. start at Gardella Family Court.  

Morgan Gillespie can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].