Lindenwood Volleyball Dominates Eastern Illinois in Home Opener
ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The Lindenwood women’s volleyball team celebrated a successful 2026 home opener by defeating Eastern Illinois University in decisive fashion, with the match concluding at a score of 3-0. This victory improved their record to 13-2 overall and 3-0 in Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) play. The Lions showcased a powerful performance, limiting the Panthers to a mere .066 hitting percentage while achieving a solid .296 for themselves.
Match Overview
The Lions rallied from a slight early deficit in the first set, trailing 4-3 before quickly taking control. Following an equalizing kill from Susanna Beretti, Lindenwood embarked on a 14-3 run. This surge propelled them to an impressive 18-7 lead, allowing them to secure the first set 25-12. The team displayed remarkable offensive strength, hitting .500 as a unit, with Beretti, Autumn Bax, and Lauren Ortwerth each securing four kills.
Second Set Highlights
The second set proved to be more competitive, as the teams exchanged points and remained deadlocked at 11-11. However, a pivotal play from Beretti shifted the momentum back to Lindenwood, allowing them to execute a crucial 4-0 run. Ortwerth contributed significantly during this stretch, scoring three of the four kills. With late contributions from Ashley Geluck, Lindenwood captured the second set 25-17, taking a commanding two-set lead.
Third Set and Match Conclusion
In the third and final set, Eastern Illinois initially grabbed a lead at 5-2. Nevertheless, Lindenwood quickly countered, ignited by Richey’s strong performance, including two key kills and two blocks that fueled a 6-0 run, granting the Lions an 8-5 advantage. As the set progressed and the score remained close, Lindenwood pulled away with a decisive 5-0 run after a tie at 13-all, culminating in a 25-17 set win and a match sweep.
Key Player Performances
Kaci Johnson excelled as the team’s primary setter, finishing the match with 34 assists, extending her streak of recording 30 or more assists to eight consecutive games. Defensively, Dana Grib and Susanna Beretti led the way with 14 digs each, contributing to a solid backcourt performance that stymied Eastern Illinois’ offensive efforts.
Looking Ahead
Lindenwood is set to continue their series against Eastern Illinois with a follow-up match scheduled for tomorrow. The next game is slated for 2 PM and will be broadcasted on ESPN+.
Upcoming Match Details
- Opponent: Eastern Illinois University
- Date: October 3, 2026
- Time: 2:00 PM
