The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

The Daily Eastern News

The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

The Daily Eastern News

The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

The Daily Eastern News

The EIU volleyball team celebrate their 3-2 win at their home game against the Valparaiso Beacons Friday night in Lantz Arena.

NCAA Tournament preview: EIU versus Marquette

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor November 29, 2023

For the first time since 2001, the Panthers will compete in the NCAA Volleyball Tournament. As shown on the NCAA Championship selection show, Eastern will face a sixth seeded Marquette team on Thursday...

Head Coach Sara Thomas, instructs volleyball players during practice on Wednesday afternoon at Lantz Arena. The team will play in the EIU Panther Classic against University of Louisiana Monroe, Akron University and Valparaiso University.

Panthers of the Week: Chris Wilkerson, Sara Thomas

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor November 26, 2023

The male Panther of the Week is going to Chris Wilkerson from the football team. Wilkerson, who is in his second year in the head coaching position for Eastern’s football team, won Coach of the Year...

Easterns volleyball team celebrate their 3-0 win against the University of Missouri Thursday night.

EIU Volleyball clinches NCAA Tournament spot

Zaria Flippin and Maurice Phipps November 22, 2023

2001 was the last time the Panthers went dancing in the NCAA Tournament. 22 years later, after sweeping the Southeast Missouri Redhawks 3-0 on Wednesday evening in Grongier Arena, Eastern won the Ohio...

From left, sophomore setter Catalina Rochaix and senior outside hitter Giovana Larregui López celebrate after scoring a point during the volleyball against Morehead State Thursday evening at Lantz Arena. Rochaix led the team with 34 assists and had two digs. López led the Panthers with 13 kills and 15 points.

EIU Volleyball advances to semifinals after 3-0 victory

Maurice Phipps, Sports Reporter November 20, 2023

Eastern’s volleyball team had a dominant victory over the eight seeded Little Rock Trojans in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament. The victory would start off with the Panthers...

Panthers of the Week: Ella Collins and Corey Sawyer Jr.

Panthers of the Week: Ella Collins, Corey Sawyer Jr.

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor November 19, 2023

The female Panther of the Week is going to Ella Collins from the volleyball team. The senior outside hitter from Lake Mills, WI recorded a career-high 28 kills against the Western Illinois Leathernecks...

Senior outside hitter Giovana Larregui Lopez serves the ball over the net for the Panthers against their game vs. Valparaiso. The Panthers won 3-2 against the Beacons Friday night in Lantz Arena.

EIU Volleyball seniors reflect on regular season, hosting OVC tournament

Aidan Cusack and Cameron Thomas November 17, 2023

Eastern’s volleyball team celebrated senior night at their final game of the season. The seniors got a little extra volleyball in their last game as the match went into the fifth set as the Panthers...

Defensive specialist/libero Christina Martinez Mundo (4), bumps the ball during their game vs. Missouri State. The Panthers won 3-0 against the Tigers.

Panthers of the Week: Christina Martinez Mundo, Chad Smith

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor November 5, 2023

The female Panther of the Week is going to Christina Martinez Mundo from the volleyball team. The senior libero/defensive specialist from San Juan, Puerto Rico helped the Panthers sweep the Little Rock...

Cheeto, Emily Wilcoxs (20) five month old kitten sits on the bench during the volleyball game against Morehead State.

Cheeto the Cat: EIU Volleyball’s pillow

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor October 29, 2023

Eastern’s volleyball team has been explosive on the court as they are currently 19-2 for the season. Along with this success, the Panthers found a way to confuse color commentators during a live broadcast...

Forward Casey Welage (8) and midfielder Jesse da Costa (35) battle for the ball at mens soccer practice Lakeside Field on Thursday.

International students athletes talk about adjusting to EIU

Maurice Phipps, Sports Reporter October 26, 2023

Eastern athletics is comprised of a wide variety of students and faculty from places all over the United States. But did you know just how many international students take part in athletics here? Truthfully,...

Head Coach Sara Thomas, instructs volleyball players during practice on Wednesday afternoon at Lantz Arena. The team will play in the EIU Panther Classic against University of Louisiana Monroe, Akron University and Valparaiso University.

Sara Thomas keeps improving

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter October 18, 2023

In Head Coach Sara Thomas’ career at Eastern she has improved every year. Thomas took over as Eastern’s Volleyball coach in 2019. Thomas’ first season came during the shortened pandemic in...

Sophomore Catalina Rochaix (9) sets the ball in the air during EIU volleyballs game against Valparaiso. The Panthers won 3-2 against the Beacons Friday night in Lantz Arena.

Panthers of the Week: Catalina Rochaix, Julia Stanev

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor October 8, 2023

The first Panther of the Week is going to Catalina Rochaix from the volleyball team. The sophomore setter from Cordoba, Argentina had a total of 71 assists within the past two games against Morehead...

Libero Christina Martinez Mundo runs down the line high-fiving her teammates before the start of the volleyball game against the University of Missouri Tigers Friday afternoon at Lantz Arena. The Panthers lost 3-1.

Eastern exits break as highest-ranked OVC team in volleyball

Aidan Cusack, Sports Reporter October 2, 2023

Eastern’s volleyball team is looking to continue their four-game winning streak against Morehead State on Thursday and Friday. The Panthers are ranked 68th out of 344 Division I teams in rating...

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