CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Senior Lindsay Stalzer and sophomore Nikki Pierzchala both earned all-tournament honors at the Pepsi Challenge as they finished with 19 and 22 kills, respectively, but Eastern Illinois earned a five-game victory against the Braves, winning 28-30, 30-28, 30-26, 20-30, 15-11.

Pierzchala had a career-high 22 kills and tied a career-best with 17 digs, while Stalzer finished with 19 kills, 15 digs and four service aces for her first double-double of the season to pace the Braves.

Pierzchala notched three of her match-high 22 kills in the closing moments of game one as she helped the Braves rally from a 28-25 deficit to earn a 30-28 victory in the opening game. Eastern Illinois evened the match at 1-1, with a 30-28 win in game two. The Braves held a 28-27 lead in the second game, but a pair of attack errors and an EIU ace gave the Panthers a 30-28 win.

Eastern Illinois led from start to finish in the third game and took a 2-1 lead with a 30-26 win, but Bradley forced a fifth and deciding game with a 30-20 victory in game four. An early 7-0 Bradley run in game four helped the Braves take control and they cruised to the 30-20 victory in game four to even the match at 2-2.

The Panthers grabbed an early 8-4 lead and held off the Braves rally attempts to clinch the match with a 15-11 win in game five. Bradley fell to 0-2 on the season with the loss, while Eastern Illinois improved to 1-1.

Senior Gillian Falknor helped lead the Braves defensive efforts, posting 26 digs as Bradley held a 106-95 edge in digs and outlbocked Eastern Illinois 10-8. Fellow senior Briony Hammet added seven kills and 18 digs and Ashley Vance led the team with 34 assists to go along with three aces and eight digs.

Bradley returns to action next weekend at the Nike Invitational in Stockton, Calif. The Braves face tournament-host Pacific on Friday, Sept. 2 at 9 p.m. (CDT).