The Eastern volleyball team will begin its Ohio Valley Conference schedule, as it faces Southeast Missouri and Tennessee-Martin Friday and Saturday.

The Panthers are coming off of a runner-up finish in the Kent State Golden Flashes Classic.

“We are definitely excited not only with how our preseason ended, but also with how well we are playing as a team,” setter Marah Bradbury said. “We each have gained a lot of confidence personally, as well as with the team as a whole.”

It was Eastern’s second runner-up finish in the four non-conference tournaments that it had on the preseason schedule.

The Panthers finished non-conference play with a 6-7 record, leaving them in better position than last year’s 3-9 preseason record because of their positive attitude prior to each match.

“We went into each tournament this year with more confidence than last year, which made the outcome of our games more positive,” Bradbury said.

Eastern began its conference schedule on a six-game losing streak before finishing out the season 7-2 for an 8-8 record overall and clinching the No. 6 seed in the tournament in 2012.

This season, the Panthers have three players in the top three of several OVC statistics.

Bradbury is first in the conference in assists per set with 10.14 — the only player in double-figures.

Middle hitter Stephanie Arnold ranks second in both hit percentage (.355) and blocks per set (1.02).

Outside hitter Chelsea Lee’s 3.35 kills per set is third best in the OVC. She is the only Panther with more than three kills per set.

Southeast Missouri

Eastern will open its conference schedule with Southeast Missouri at 6:30 p.m. Friday in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Southeast Missouri has one more win than Eastern with a 7-7 record through non-conference play.

However, the Redhawks enter the match on a three-game losing streak, losing to Middle Tennessee, Samford and Missouri all in straight sets in the Mizzou Classic.

Outside hitter Colleen Yarber’s 3.32 kills per set is fourth in the OVC. Her 3.43 digs per set is second on the team only to libero Berkley Idel who has 4.30, and is sixth in the conference.

Tennessee-Martin

Eastern will face Tennessee-Martin at 2 p.m. Saturday in Martin, Tenn.

The Skyhawks are 6-10 in their preseason play, while losing the last eight matches. Outside hitter Emily Keaton has 164 kills with a 2.88 kill per set average. She also averages 2.21 digs per set this season.

Anthony Catezone can be reached at 581-2812 or ajcatezone@eiu.edu.