Winner.

That was the word Eastern head volleyball coach Lori Bennett used to describe senior outside hitter Eliza Zwettler after two great matches last week.

“She finds a way to be successful in everything she does,” Bennett said. “I think that really sums it up for her. She’s a lot of fun to coach and have on the team.”

Bennett said she was especially impressed with the last few matches this season.

“She had two really good matches for us last week,” Bennett said. “She has just really done a great job for us recently. She’s been very stable, very composed, really doing a good job communicating with everybody on the team, and really making the people around her better. (We’ve seen) some great things from Eliza here recently.”

Friday, Zwettler tallied 15 kills as the Panthers swept Ohio Valley Conference opponent Eastern Kentucky (1-16, 0-7 OVC) 3-0.

The next night, Zwettler’s talents were on display again as she notched 22 kills and 13 digs in a loss to OVC leader Morehead State (6-1, 12-6).

Zwettler was encouraged by last week’s conference games.

“It’s always good to get your first conference win,” she said. “I think winning in three (matches) got us back to playing at the level we should be playing at. Against Morehead, they’re the number one team in the conference right now, and we took a game off of them and really played right with them the entire time. We could’ve and maybe should’ve beat them. So it’s encouraging to know we’re right there . hopefully we can work (our way) back toward the top half of the conference.”

She said the team’s ability to spread kills among different players has made a difference.

“I think (senior setter) Maren (Crabtree) has done a great job of distributing the ball to multiple people. That frees me up a little bit,” Zwettler said. “Using the front row and back row hitters has really helped out because then the blockers don’t necessarily have a double block. Our other hitters and our setter have done a good job of finding ways to get kills, so that helps all hitters in return.”

Zwettler’s younger sister, Alex, freshman outside hitter, has been impressed with Eliza’s play so far this season and talked about playing on the same team with her older sibling.

“She’s really stepped it up a lot,” Alex said. “She’s a great leader on the floor and it’s really easy to follow right behind her when she’s playing really well and motivating the team . it’s been really fun seeing (her success) in the things that she’s done. It’s challenging sometimes because she expects a lot out of me just because (we’re sisters). But it’s nice to know that she’s always got my back. it’s been very rewarding and a lot of fun.”

The older Zwettler also enjoys the opportunity to play with her sister.

“It’s an opportunity that I can say a lot of people don’t get,” Eliza said. “It’s been going really well. It’s something that we’ll remember forever and probably cherish for a lifetime. It’s been great.”

Eliza was named to last year’s OVC All-Newcomer team last season after transferring from Troy University.

Coach Bennett talked about the difference a year has made for the senior.

“She’s by far the most consistent player we have at being aggressive on every swing and really playing to win,” Bennett said. “I would say that she’s hitting the ball a lot harder. Her passing and defense are even better (than last year). We’ve seen a lot of improvement; it’s hard to pick just one or two (areas).”

Eliza has a strong bond with her coach and uses her as a mentor on and off the court.

“I feel that I can go to her with anything I need, volleyball-related or not. She’s a really good female role model, and a great coach,” she said.

Bennett also shares admiration for her senior athlete.

“She’s taken a bigger leadership role, by far,” Bennett said. “Last year, having transferred in, she didn’t really feel like she had the opportunity to really lead vocally, and she’s definitely taken on that role for us this year, so that’s been one thing that’s really made a significant impact on our team.”

Eliza Zwettler, a senior outside hitter, leads the team with 279 kills, and with average kills a game, 3.93.

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