CHARLESTON, Ill. - The Eastern Illinois volleyball team has finalized their 2022 regular season with the addition of a home match against the University of Illinois. Head coach
Sara Thomas has the match slated for Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 6:00 p.m. in Lantz Arena.
EIU is 4-19 all-time against the Fighting Illini and have not played against the U of I since the 2005 season. Illinois has not traveled to Charleston, Ill. to play a home match since 1995. The Panthers last beat Illinois during the 1983 season when EIU defeated Illinois twice in the same season.
Last season, the Fighting Illini finished No. 16 in the AVCA poll at the conclusion of the 2021 season. They finished with an overall record of 22-12 and a 12-8 record in the Big Ten Conference. After qualifying for the NCAA Tournament, Illinois defeated West Virginia and No. 7 Kentucky before losing to fellow Big Ten opponent No. 10 Nebraska.
Eastern Illinois has only hosted two ranked teams in the team's history, both coming during the 1986 season. In back-to-back matches EIU hosted No. 17 Penn State (L, 0-3) and No.11 Illinois (L, 1-3). The Panthers have not played a ranked team since 2015 when they played No. 13 Ohio State at the Oakland Golden Grizzly Invitational.
The 2022 season starts with an exhibition game on Saturday, Aug. 20 vs. Missouri St-Louis at 4:30 p.m. in Lantz Arena. The regular season will then begin on Friday, Aug. 26 at 11:00 a.m. during the Butler Top Dawg Tournament in Indianapolis, Ind. where EIU will play Butler, Akron and Oakland.
EIU will be back at home on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. to face-off against Western Illinois for their home opener. All home games will be streamed on ESPN+.
