Shoulder surgeries, stomach injuries and foot injuries. The women’s volleyball squad has seen all of this and more over the course of the 2009 season.

Injuries have plagued the Panthers for much of the year, and because of this, it has been difficult for the team to put together consistent lineups.

Changes have had to be made, substitutions have had to fill in and the Eastern bench has certainly been used.

But through all of this, the volleyball team has pulled through, and continues to battle on. “Any lineup change in volleyball is a big deal,” said junior outside hitter Kelsey Orr. “But we have a great team with players that can fill in at each position.”

Early on in the season, Orr and fellow junior outside hitter Erin Hake were sidelined by foot injuries that held them out for multiple matches. Soon after Orr and Hake returned to the lineup, another blow was dealt to the team when junior outside hitter Alex Zwettler was sidelined by a stomach injury.

Zwettler currently leads the team in double-double performances and has been an offensive threat throughout the season.

“Starting every match differently throws you off,” Hake said.

Among other injuries was junior middle blocker Jorie Dieter’s surgery she had on her shoulder.

Though the surgery happened last year, the slap repair she underwent kept her out for most of the spring.

“It’s tough, but we find other people that can fill our shoes when people are out,” Dieter said.

The Panthers have dealt with injuries in the past, but never with the amount or severity of injuries that have happened this year.

“Bigger injuries have occurred this year than in years past,” Zwettler said.

The volleyball team is currently 9-17 overall and 2-11 in the OVC.

On the surface, 9-17 might not look like anything to boast about, but considering the Panthers injuries during the course of the season and the vast number of near victories that ended up in losses, the Panthers feel they are much better than their record lets on.

“When you really dissect the games, we have been right in a lot of matches that just haven’t gone our way,” said head coach Alan Segal.

The Panthers took two tough losses against first place Jacksonville State who have dominated the Ohio Valley Conference all season.

In their last match against the Gamecocks, the Panthers won the first set 26-24 and seemingly had control of the match only to narrowly lose in the fourth set by a score of 21-25. Whether it is injuries or just sheer bad luck, the Panthers have endured a lot during the course of this season.

The good news for the Panthers is they have drastically improved upon last year’s 5-24 overall record despite the injuries to many key players.

Kevin Maras can be reached at 581-7944 or kjmaras@eiu.edu.

Senior outside hitter Jessica Wheeler spikes the ball during the match against Jacksonville State on Oct. 10 in Lantz Arena. Eastern lost the set in four matches against the top team in the conference.(Chelsea Grady/The Daily Eastern News)

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