Eastern Illinois volleyball team defended their home court on Tuesday night against the Western Illinois Leathernecks with a hard-fought 3-1 (25-22, 26-24, 23-25, 25-14) victory in four sets .   

The match stayed close through the early sets, with 30 ties and 13 lead changes in the opening frame, making it difficult to predict who would pull through with the victory.

Eastern was able to pull away in the fourth set to finish out the game. 

The Panthers went on a 14-3 run to finish the game, closing the door on any hope the Leatherneck’s had on a comeback victory. 

“You got to give it up to the ladies, because they put in a really good effort, especially in that fourth set. We pretty much took control,” head coach Ryan Millar said. 

The game was won in the absence of the Panther’s star sophomore hitter Destiny Walker. Averaging 15.7 kills per match, Walker is a major part of the team’s success this year. With coach Millar unsure of when she may return, the team looked to the bench for someone to step up. 

Stepping up and starting in place of Walker was senior outside hitter Lilli Amettis, who has seen limited playing time this season. 

The lack of playing time this season didn’t seem to affect her play at all. Amettis ended the game with 16 kills and eight digs. She also had two crucial blocks that tied the game at 7-7 in the fourth set, which shifted momentum in favor of the Panthers. 

“I was trying to do everything and anything to score points, because we needed this game,” Amettis said. “The rust was gone and I was just feeling it, so I just kept swinging.” 

Also stepping up in this game was senior outside hitter Tori Mohesky. With 16 kills tonight, she has averaged 14 kills in the last four games. Before these last four games, Mohesky was averaging just six kills. 

Mohesky contributes her recent success to the team and experience.

“I’ve been getting a lot more playing time this year, and so with that experience comes confidence,” Mohesky said. “Our coaches and the other players on the court instill everyone with that confidence, and that just lets you go out there and play your game.” 

While Amettis and Mohesky may have excelled in their roles against Western, the victory was a full team effort. 

Other key contributors for the Panthers were sophomore libero Ariadna Pereles, sophomore outside hitter Katie Kopshever, senior setter Catalina Rochaix, and sophomore middle blocker Anaya Rawlinson. 

Pereles had 27 digs, Kopshever put up 13 kills and 10 digs, Rochaix gave out 46 assists, and Rawlinson chipped in nine kills and two blocks. 

Eastern Illinois’ season sweep of Western Illinois moves the Panthers to 6-2 in conference play, placing them in a tie for second.

They also extended their undefeated home record to 5-0 with this victory.

The Panthers will be making their way to Little Rock, Arkansas this weekend for a double header, a matchup that could decide who holds second place in the OVC. 

Millar had high praise for the upcoming conference opponent.

“Little Rock is a good team, and we’re playing there, which won’t be easy either,” Millar said.

The first game of the double header is set to start Friday at 6 p.m. at the Jack Stephens Center.