By Anthony Shingler | Assistant Sports Editor

3966428013_89ef101672The Lady Govs volleyball team remained undefeated in Ohio Valley Conference play with a 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-18) win at Eastern Illinois, Saturday, Sept. 26, at Lantz Arena.

The Lady Govs, who are riding a four match-winning streak improve to 9-4, 3-0 OVC, while Eastern Illinois drops to 7-10, 1-4 OVC.

The Lady Govs are in three-way tie for first place with Jacksonville State and Morehead State.

During the first set, there were eight lead changes and 13 ties in the first 38 points of the opening frame.

With a tie at 19-19, the Lady Govs scored in succession from Kirstin Distler and an error from Eastern Illinois to jump out to a 21-19 lead.

The Lady Govs built a 24-20 lead on a pair of kills from Stephanie Champine. They would win the set 25-21. The second set was a replica of the first set, exchanging leads six times and tying the score 14 times.

The Lady Govs would not get a lead of more than three during the set. Eastern Illinois used two errors made by the Lady Govs to cut the lead 22-21. Ilyanna Hernandez led a 4-1 run by the Lady Govs to win the second set, 25-23.

The Lady Govs scored the first seven points in the third set to lead 7-0. Kills from Champine, Taylor Skinner and Jessica Mollman helped support the Lady Govs offense.

Eastern Illinois hacked at the Lady Govs lead, narrowing the score down to 17-15. The Lady Govs would go on a 8-3 run to close the match out 25-18 to win their third conference match.

“Today’s match was a good example of doing whatever it takes to win,” according to Lady Govs head coach Mike Johnson’s post game interview with Sports Information.

“Our serve receive was very good and our outside hitters were excellent. Champine and Hernandez both put up some big numbers.”

The Lady Govs were lead by Stephanie Champine’s 20 kills. It was her second 20-kill effort this season.

Also, Hernandez chipped in 10 kills, and Skinner helped out the cause with seven kills. The Lady Govs converted for 44 kills in the victory.

The Lady Govs continue OVC action Friday, Oct. 2, for a three-match home stint with a 7 p.m. tipoff against Tennessee Tech.

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