After Panther volleyball got off to an impressive 7-2 start, things have cooled down considerably for the Panthers, who have now lost six straight matches.

Their fast start was the best preseason record they have had in 11 years.

Figuring out why the Panthers now sit at a 7-7 overall record and are winless in the Ohio Valley Conference is not easy.

For one, the numbers do not explain why the Panthers are on this skid.

Outside hitters senior Eliza Zwettler and freshman Alex Zwettler both have nine double-doubles on the season. Senior setter Maren Crabtree almost broke her own school record for assists Friday night.

Compared to other teams Eastern has faced this season, the Panthers out-kill their opponents with 854 kills to 782.

The defense has also been present this season.

The Panthers are averaging 17.5 digs per game, compared to the 16.8 average of their opponents. Though Eastern’s blocking average is down compared to their opponents. They average 19 compared to their opponents’ 27.

The team’s youth could come into question, but considering some of the performances by Alex and freshman outside hitter Kelsey Orr – along with the more recent playing time of freshmen outside hitter Erin Hake and middle blocker Jorie Dieter – there seems to be no real basis for making that judgment call.

Orr had 17 kills, 11 digs this past weekend and Dieter had seven kills, two digs.

Even head coach Lori Bennett has said she would not blame the recent losses on the youth of the team.

Other coaches from the Ohio Valley Conference have noticed Eastern’s talent and early record and are baffled by Eastern’s recent skid.

Tennessee-Martin’s Amy Draper and Murray State’s head coach David Schwepker said Eastern’s ability to force a game five has been an impressive feat.

Though Eastern has played in seven five-game matches so far this season, they have lost the last four after starting out 3-0 in the five-game situation.

But Eastern has to catch up and start winning matches if it wishes to continue what it started at the beginning of the season.

Morehead State (10-5) and Jacksonville State (7-4) are the top runners in the conference, with records of 4-0 in the OVC.

The Panthers’ disappointing 8-19 finish last season is just what Bennett called it earlier in the season – “last year.”

But they have not been able to eclipse last year’s shadow.

The bottom line is that a young, talented team should be winning more of these close matches.

If Bennett and Schwepker are right about the Panthers being better than their record – and the basis for their diagnosis seems correct – then the Panthers will improve.