Trojans drop opener to Eastern Illinois; look for split tomorrow

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Despite the efforts of a few key standouts, Little Rock was swept at home Friday by visiting Eastern Illinois in a pivotal Ohio Valley Conference matchup. The Panthers took the contest by scores of 25-22, 25-23, and 25-21.
 
Little Rock fell to 11-10 overall and 6-3 in the OVC, while EIU improved to 13-6 and 7-2. Little Rock is now in a tie for third place in the conference as the Panthers took over sole possession of second.
 
THEY SAID IT
"We need to play better in several areas tomorrow … hitting, digging, blocking, they all need to be better. I was very pleased with the way some of the girls played tonight … Jaycee [Kennedy], Vivian [Lucumi], and Sophia [Garrido] all did very well." – Little Rock head coach Van Compton
 
OFFENSIVE LEADERS
Kills – Bella Cherry (8), Crismeyli Rodriguez (8), Lucumi (8), Garrido (7)
Attack % – Kennedy (.444), Lucumi (.353), Garrido (.190)
Assists – Dariana Valencia (16), Kaylee Smith (13)
Points – Rodriguez (9.5), Lucumi (9.0), Cherry (8.0)
 
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Digs – Andrea Roman (13), Valencia (11), Cherry (10)
Blocks – Kennedy (5), Lucumi (2)
 
NEXT GAME
Little Rock will try to earn a split against the Panthers when the teams meet again in the Jack Stephens Center for a 2:00 pm contest.