With 10 freshmen and sophomores on the squad this season, the Panthers are young.

But it might be a benefit if it means the players have a short memory.

Last season, Eastern lost 18 of its last 21 matches en route to finishing the season 8-19.

It was the least wins for the team since it joined the Ohio Valley Conference in 1996.

“It was frustrating,” said sophomore defensive specialist Shaina Boylan. “It’s hard, but we have to get past all of that.”

Embedded in the season was a team-record 13-match losing streak, which included an 0-8 conference start that knocked them out of contention immediately.

Unknown starting lineup

One thing that head coach Lori Bennett has stayed consistent with on a yearly basis is not determining which players crack the starting lineup until the season begins.

This year is no different.

“None of us really know,” Boylan said. “We all just have to continue to work hard. It’s almost good to be in that spot.”

Last year, Boylan played in all 27 matches as a freshman.

Crabtree with chance to make mark in history books

Senior Maren Crabtree returns to the team practically assured of becoming the program’s No. 2 all-time assists leader.

Crabtree is just 270 assists behind Amy Van Eekeren, who was a part of the Panther program in the early ’90s.

Crabtree has 3,541 assists and last season posted a career low with 819 assists.

Top player returns

Senior Eliza Zwettler was the lone Eastern representative on the All-OVC preseason team.

The Troy University transfer finished in the Top 10 in the conference in kills per game with 3.6.

She was named to the All-OVC Newcomer Team in 2006 after transferring last summer.

Zwettler led the team in kills in her first season as a Panther with 353. She also finished second on the team with 356 digs

Athletic talent runs in the family

With a year under her belt, the senior has another reason to feel more comfortable: her sister Alex.

Alex Zwettler is a freshman from Edgewood High School in Madison, Wis.

The 5-foot, 11-inch outside hitter is one of three sisters to play volleyball at a high level.

Callie, Eliza’s and Alex’s older sister, played at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and was a Division II All-American.

The Zwettler sisters are the first sister tandem in Eastern history to play volleyball at the same time.

Sophmore middle blocker Amy Sesol spikes a ball during hitting drills Monday afternoon at Lantz Arena.

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