EDWARDSVILLE, ILL. - Eastern Kentucky averted four SIUE set points Saturday and came away with a four-set victory over the Cougars in Ohio Valley Conference volleyball at the Vadalabene Center.

SIUE, 7-12 and 2-5 in the OVC, had three set points in the first set and one more in the fourth set before dropping them both. EKU, now 9-8 and 4-2 in the OVC, won the match 27-25, 20-25, 25-23, 27-25.

"You have to be critical when the game is on the line. We have to understand that pressure situation and be comfortable in that situation," said SIUE Head Coach Leah Johnson.

Still, the Cougars outhit the Colonels and led in several statistical categories, including kills 62-60, hitting percentage .203-.191, and blocks 7-6.

"To win every statistical category in four sets and still lose the match, we are certainly doing a lot of things right," Johnson said.

The Cougars came out swinging hard with 17 kills in each of the first two sets. Jessica Hemann recorded seven of her 14 kills in the first set. Emma Anderson ripped five of her team-high 15 kills in the second set. Kelsey Augustine added six of her nine kills in the second set.

"I am pleased with our performance overall. I thought we passed the ball well and had a very good start blocking. Attacking, we were on fire early," added Johnson.

After splitting the first two sets, EKU stepped up its offense in the third set with a balanced attack. Hannah Burkle powered the Eagles for 15 kills overall followed by 11 from Ashley Edmond. The Eagles held off SIUE in the third set after leading 16-9. The Cougars pulled within two points at 24-22, but Burkle picked up the kill on set point.

SIUE's defense picked up a season-high 95 digs, including a career-high 34 for freshman Chelsea Colclasure. Sammi Minton, Julia Whitfield, and Brooke Smith each finished with 11 digs.

Johnson and the Cougars now hit the road for four straight matches. The road trip begins with a 7 pm. match Tuesday at Murray State.

"We are not folding. We are not backing down. We are going to train hard and then we are going to train harder," said Johnson.

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