By Jocelyn VerVelde, Sports Information Coordinator

CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Tennessee Tech volleyball team dropped their final road match of the year at the hands of Ohio Valley Conference west division leaders Eastern Illinois. The Panthers took the match in three sets, 25-17, 25-15, 25-14.

The Golden Eagles outside hitters led them offensively on Saturday, as junior Ellen Conti and sophomore Audrey Lewis each put down nine kills. Lewis put away her nine kills on an impressive .538 hitting percentage. Senior Ashleigh Hancock put up 29 assists and junior Courtney Smith tallied 10 digs.

The Panthers saw Reynae Hutchinson put down 11 kills on a .474 hitting percentage. She was added in the kills category by Chelsea Lee who put down an additional nine kills. Lee added three blocks as well. Setter Marah Bradbury commanded the Panther offense to a tune of 26 assists, and added three kills of her own, along with three aces.

The Panthers outhit the Golden Eagles .341 to .090, 35 kills to 31. They also out-blocked the Golden Eagles nine team blocks to Tech's three. The Panthers finished their 2013 home campaign with a 8-0 record.

The Golden Eagles return to action on Tuesday as they host Jacksonville State at 5:30 pm CT. This match will be prior to a Tech men's basketball game. If fans attend the volleyball game and arrive prior to the end of the second set, they will be allowed to stay at the basketball game for free.