The Eastern volleyball team has a lot to look forward to this season.

As opposed to last year, when the Panthers managed just five wins throughout the entire 29 game season, this year’s Panthers have four victories under their belt through eight matches.

Leading the Panthers this year is first-year head coach Alan Segal.

Segal comes to Eastern from Alabama Birmingham where he led the Blazers to a 27-8 record, including a trip to the NCAA Tournament as assistant coach.

It was UAB’s second-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament in the history of the school.

“I’m excited to see what we can do to be competitive in the (Ohio Valley Conference) this year,” Segal said.

Also new to the coaching staff is assistant head coach Katie Price.

Price, who won the 2007 NCAA national championship as a libero at Penn State, was hired to assist Segal in May. She brings experience and wisdom to a young club who will want to improve on last year’s disappointing results.

“It’s great to have her here; she really helps us defensively,” said sophomore libero Brittany Wallace.

This year’s team is a mix of returning talent and a lot of young newcomers eager to battle for playing time. Returning junior outside hitter Alex Zwettler will be a big part of the team’s offense as she has already notched 28 double-double performances in her career. In her first season at Eastern, Zwettler racked up 355 kills, which established the freshman record.

Quarterbacking the offense will be junior transfer Kylie Cavanah, who in two tournaments this season, has proven herself to be a reliable setter.

Other key roles will be filled by Wallace, senior outside hitter Jessica Wheeler and junior outside hitter Kesley Orr, all of who are returning players.

Wheeler and Wallace have both earned tournament invitational honors this season for the Panthers (4-4).

The future of Eastern volleyball features a lot of young players looking for playing time this season. Four freshmen, including Stephanie Arnold, Andrea Johnson, Mattie Watts and Allison Berens are working for time.

“You don’t change things overnight,” Segal said. “You have to take it one game at a time.”

With two tournaments in the books, the Panthers will now focus their attention on the Ohio Valley Conference and working toward their ultimate goal of a conference championship.

Kevin Maras can be reached at 581-7944 or