CHARLESTON, Ill.- SIUE volleyball dropped its Ohio Valley Conference opener on Friday night, falling 3-1 (21-25, 25-15, 16-25, 19-25) to Eastern Illinois. Following the loss, the Cougars move to 5-7 on the year, while the Panthers improve to 7-7. 

Despite holding the Panthers to a .070 hitting percentage in the opening set, the Cougars couldn't take advantage offensively as they hit .083 in the first. With EIU leading 22-20, the Panthers used two kills and an attack error by the Cougars to win the first set, 25-21.

In the second set, SIUE raced out to a 7-1 lead with the help of two kills by Savannah Christian. The Cougars carried their lead for the entire set, using a .282 attack percentage and 16 kills to upend EIU, 25-15.

SIUE and Eastern Illinois traded points at the beginning of the third set until the Panthers used an 8-2 run to take a commanding 20-11 lead. The Cougars' efforts could not overcome EIU's attack, as SIUE dropped the third set 25-16.

The fourth set was a back-and-forth affair early between the two OVC opponents, until Eastern Illinois used a 5-1 run to take a 15-10 advantage in the set. Trailing 19-13, SIUE fought its way back on three kills and an EIU attack error to put the frame within two points. However, Eastern Illinois responded by taking six of the next eight points to win the fourth set 25-19 and the match.

The Cougars were led by Ainsley Ranstead with 12 kills and a .270 hitting percentage. Sydney Hummert picked up her fourth consecutive double-double, adding 11 kills and 17 digs in the match.

Caroline Waite led all setters with 26 assists, while Priscilla Jones tallied four blocks at the net. On defense, Nicole Kijowski recorded a team-high 19 digs.

UP NEXT: SIUE and Eastern Illinois will square off again tomorrow, September 23rd in Lanz Arena. First serve is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. and the match will be streamed live on ESPN+.