NASHVILLE — The Tennessee State University volleyball team will make the trip to Illinois this weekend for a two-match series against Ohio Valley Conference foe Eastern Illinois University.
 
The Matchup: TSU Tigers (9-12, 1-11 OVC) v. EIU Panthers (8-14, 1-11 OVC)
Dates/Times: Friday, October 29, at 6 p.m. || Saturday, October 30, at 4 p.m. 
Location: Lantz Arena, Charleston, IL.
 
Series History: Tennessee State leads the series, 11-9. The two programs previously met in Charleston, Ill., on March 8, 2021, as Eastern Illinois swept the match in straight sets, 3-0. The Tigers were competitive throughout as all three sets finished within five points, including two-point losses in the second and third sets. TSU dominated the net with 10 blocks compared to the Panthers' four. Aria Holmes swatted a game-high seven blocks, while Gina Rivera-Ortiz led the way with 17 digs.
 
Last Time Out: Last Friday, October 22, seniors Holmes, Aniya Williams, and Mion Weldon combined for 20 kills, but it was not enough as TSU fell to Murray State in straight sets (25-22, 27-25 and 25-15).
 
About the Tigers: Tennessee State will look to snap a nine-match losing streak as they hit the road with six matches to go. The Tigers are ranked third in the Ohio Valley Conference in blocks (2.12) and digs per set (16.36). Three players for TSU have totaled more than 150 kills this season (Williams, Holmes, and Aleksandra Rojecka). Rivera-Ortiz, TSU's all-time digs record-holder, is seventh in the nation with 443 digs. The senior from Lajas, Puerto Rico is ranked fifth in the NCAA with 5.68 digs per set. Williams, a senior transfer from Stephen F. Austin, is fourth in the OVC averaging 3.98 points per set.
 
About the Panthers: In their last time out, Eastern Illinois secured their first win in OVC play. EIU traveled to SIUE and defeated the Cougars, 3-1. The victory snapped a 13-match losing streak for EIU. Senior Danielle Allen recorded seven kills in the first set, en route to a game-high 17 kills. Summerlyn Smith dished out 47 assists in the contest, which set a season-high for the junior setter. For the year, the Panthers have led the conference in service aces per set (1.6). Individually, redshirt-senior Kylie Michael leads the team with 25 service aces in 69 sets (0.36 per set, tied for the conference lead).