Eastern Illinois (2-12, 2-12 OVC) at SIUE (8-4, 8-4 OVC)
Dates: March 28-29, 2021
First Serve: 4 p.m. (Sunday); 6 p.m. (Monday)
Location: First Community Arena, SIUE
All-Time Series: Series tied 11-11
Last Meeting: November 6, 2019 (W, 3-0) | First Community Arena, SIUE
Video: Sunday (ESPN+); Monday (ESPN+)
Live Stats: Sunday (StatBroadcast); Monday (StatBroadcast)
Game Notes: Game Notes
SIUE volleyball will close out the regular season with a pivotal home series against Eastern Illinois, which will have massive OVC Tournament implications. First serve for Sunday's match is set for 4 p.m., and live video and live stats will be available.
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
The Eastern Illinois Panthers are sitting at 2-12, notching their lone wins over Murray State and Tennessee State. The Panthers enter the weekend on a two-match losing streak, but have amassed as large as a nine-match losing streak to start the season. The all-time series between these two squads is tied at 11-11, but SIUE has won seven of the last 10 meetings and is currently riding a three-match winning streak over EIU.
WE DIG PINK
SIUE volleyball is once again working with The Side-Out Foundation to raise funds for Stage IV breast cancer research and treatment. The program has set a goal of $750.00, and is 60% of the way towards reaching that goal. Those interested in donating to the cause can do so at
bit.ly/SIUEVBDigPink.
AN UNEXPECTED, BUT MUCH NEEDED BREAK
In accordance with
Ohio Valley Conference Covid-19 protocols, last weekend's scheduled two-match series at Austin Peay was cancelled and would not be rescheduled. This gave the Cougars a much-needed week of rest and recovery heading into this weekend's crucially important series.
POSTSEASON SCENARIOS
Jacksonville State and Morehead State are undefeated entering the final weekend of the regular season and both have already secured one of the top two seeds in the four-team OVC Tournament. Both teams will face off this weekend - if either team sweeps, they will secure the OVC regular season title. If they split the series, the OVC's tie-breaking procedures will take effect.
Southeast Missouri, sitting at 12-2, has secured a third-place finish, and will enter the OVC Tournament as the No. 3 seed.
SIUE and Austin Peay both sit at 8-4, and will require the help of the other to advance to the OVC Tournament. If either team betters the record of the other come Monday night, that team will earn the fourth and final spot; however, if the records are tied after the weekend, the OVC's tie-breaking procedures will take effect. Since last weekend's series between the two teams was cancelled, the first tie-breaker would be "set winning percentage". If the season ended today, SIUE would be on the outside looking in - SIUE has won 26 of 42 sets played, good for a set winning percentage of .619; meanwhile, Austin Peay has won 26 of 41 sets played, for a winning percentage of .634.
Due to
Ohio Valley Conference COVID protocols, Austin Peay's Sunday match at UT Martin was moved to Monday, which will be played as a doubleheader.
GOIN' BACK TO BACK
The
Ohio Valley Conference and its 12 member institutions decided to play a conference-only schedule this season, which will see teams play back-to-back matches on
consecutive days against the same opponent.
Coach Paulus' thoughts on the new scheduling format:
"I'm really excited to play back-to-back on consecutive days against the same opponent because I think we can handle adjustments really well. I think we'll be able to make
changes from Sunday to Monday well because of how many veterans we have on this squad."
VETERAN PRESENCE
In any season, veteran players play a critical role in keeping their team calm and collected, regardless of what the opponent throws their way. That role is made even more essential in a season such as this, where preparing for unexpected is crucial to the success of any team or individual.
Fortunately, the Cougars have an abundance of returning players, having graduated just four from last season.
Coach Paulus on how she expects the returning players to impact the game:
"I expect the returners to help us stay confident and being able to expect the unexpected. If they can keep us calm when we come into some chaotic situations, I think the rest of the team will respond really well."
