Eastern Illinois University’s volleyball program got off to its best start since the 2015 season after winning its own invitational tournament Saturday.

The Panthers opened the 2021 season Friday with a 25-12, 25-16, 25-23 win over IUPUI in the EIU Panther Invitational at Lantz Arena in Charleston, Illinois.

Senior setter Bailey Chandler, a Triton Central graduate, had three assists in the win.

On Saturday, Eastern Illinois improved to 2-0 with an 18-25, 26-24, 20-25, 25-16, 15-7 win over Bellarmine. Chandler (photo) finished with 20 assists and four digs.

The Panthers were crowned champions after a 26-24, 25-21, 25-23 win over Chicago State. Chandler had two kills, 18 assists and four digs.

At 3-0, Eastern Illinois has nearly matched the program’s win total over the last two seasons (5-40).

Here is a look at other Shelby County graduates competing at the collegiate level:

Maddie Beaver

The Triton Central graduate (photo) was credited with two kills, one block assist and one dig for Goshen College in her collegiate debut on Aug. 13.

Goshen opened the 2021 season at the Palm Beach County Sports Commission Volleyball Classic in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Goshen lost to Columbia International, 25-17, 25-5, 25-20 in its season opener and went on to lose seven more matches before securing its first win on Aug. 21 to close out the event.

The Maple Leafs (1-8) defeated Calumet College of St. Joseph (Indiana), 25-21, 28-30, 25-19, 25-21. Brown had nine kills and two digs.

Brooklyn Schiffli

The Triton Central graduate (photo) played her first collegiate volleyball match Friday for Jacksonville State University (Alabama).

Schiffli had nine digs in the Gamecocks’ 25-10, 25-22, 25-22 win over Gardner-Webb in the Gamecock Classic.

Schiffli returned to the court later Friday and helped Jacksonville State defeat Alabama State, 25-14, 25-16, 25-22. She had 13 digs.

The Gamecocks finished off the tournament with a 3-0 record after a 25-12, 25-22, 25-14 victory Saturday over Middle Tennessee State. Schiffli again had 13 digs.

Makenzie Logan

The Morristown graduate (photo) finished 0-4 in tennis matches for Huntington University Wednesday.

Spring Arbor defeated Huntington, 6-1.

Spring Arbor’s Sela Clifford and Olivia Creech defeated Logan and her No. 3 doubles partner, Nina Golfier, 6-1.

Clifford topped Logan at No. 6 singles, 4-6, 6-2, 10-7.

On the same day, No. 25-ranked Marian blanked Huntington, 7-0.

Logan and Golfier were defeated by Payton Haygood and Sarah Wittenbaum, 6-2, at No. 3 doubles.

Logan lost to Marian’s Desiree Ahlberg, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 6 singles.