With the start of the fall semester comes a new season of sports. Last year’s season saw its fair share of highs and lows in every sport. With this new season about to be or already underway each sport has its own unique storylines.

Last year’s football season was a disappointment for fans, as the Panthers were only able to notch up a pair of wins on the year. This year will be a historic one, regardless of the team’s record, as this is head coach Bob Spoo’s final season with the Panthers.

Sophomore quarterback Jimmy Groppolo will take the reigns as the starter for his first full season under center. The Panthers will attempt to take down rival Illinois State in the teams’ 100th meeting.

Another team that is looking to bounce back from a less than stellar season is the volleyball team. In 2010, they lost 11 conference games and they missed the Ohio Valley Conference tournament. With numerous players returning, the expectations will be high for second year head coach Kate Price.

The women’s rugby team knows how to win, but last season they found themselves on the short end for the first time since 2007. After a heartbreaking loss to Grand Valley State last September, the Panthers will attempt another perfect 11-0 season.

Both the men’s and women’s cross country teams will look to continue their winning ways this season after making a lot of noise in the OVC last season. The Panther runners enter the season ranked second in the OVC, and will look to finish Eastern Kentucky, ranked number 1 in the preseason, and show who really is the best in the Midwest.

The men’s and women’s soccer teams have both already begun play. The men wrapped up their pre-season this weekend and now look to conquer Northwestern.

The women’s soccer team opened regular season play against Northern Iowa, pitting Panther against Panther. Though the team fell short, they still have a long season ahead of them to improve.

All in all, Panther athletics have an exciting fall ahead of them, which should bring success, wins and more hardware to the Eastern trophy case.

As the sports editor, I encourage each and every Eastern student to come out and see what these men and women can do on their respective playing fields. The 2011 Eastern sports season will surely be one to remember.

Dominic Renzetti can be reached at 581-7944 or dcrenzetti@eiu.edu.