Pre-Tourney Release (PDF) | Live Stats
Bryant | Harvard | New Hampshire | Boston College

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Following a lengthy preseason practice schedule, the Eastern Illinois volleyball squad will finally hit the court to open the 2010 season this coming weekend as the Panthers are set to play four matches at the two-day Harvard Tournament on Friday and Saturday.

All four of the opponents hail from the northeast, with the Panthers facing Bryant, Harvard and New Hampshire for the first time in program history. EIU previously battled Boston College in 2004.

COMPLETE HARVARD TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Here is the complete schedule for the two-day Harvard Tourney, with the designated 'home' squad listed last (all times CST/CDT):

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2010:
Eastern Illinois vs. Bryant ... 2 pm
Boston College vs. New Hampshire ... 4:30 pm
Eastern Illinois at Harvard ... 6 pm

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2010:
New Hampshire vs. Eastern Illinois ... 9 am
Bryant at Harvard ... 11:30 pm
Boston College vs. Eastern Illinois ... 2 pm
Bryant vs. New Hampshire ... 4:30 pm
Boston College at Harvard ... 7 pm



COACH PRICE SET TO LEAD PANTHERS AS NEW HEAD COACH
After spending a year as an assistant coach last season, former Penn State standout, Kate Price, will lead the squad as one of the youngest head coaches in the nation. The following is a pre-weekend Q&A with the first year skipper.

Overall thoughts on the preseason practices and on Saturday's scrimmage?
“Overall we have been doing a good job. The girls have been working hard, busting their butts and getting better. But right now, the team just needs to have a more sense of urgency. Specifically in regard to wanting to play, wanting to win and to be better than last year. They are starting to come along and are getting some of that that competitive vibe. I look forward to seeing how they respond in practice this week, and how our freshmen pan out and respond to their first collegiate matches. Plus want to see how the team reacts to the long travel schedule.

What are the team goals for the coming weekend?
“Of course, heading into any weekend tournament, you always look to finish undefeated. But the preseason tourneys are there for a reason. The are scheduled to help the squad get the season going, to see good competition and compare how we match-up versus a variety of others teams. Plus we immediately find out what are current strengths and weaknesses might be at this point.”

QUICK SCOUTING OF THE WEEKEND COMPETITION
Besides EIU, Harvard will also be opening the season this coming weekend, while the three other opponents (Bryant, New Hampshire and Boston College) enter the two-day tourney with several matches already under their belt. 

Bryant (3-1) has already defeated Hampton, Wofford and South Carolina State, while having lost to Townson. New Hampshire (2-1) downed both St. John's and Farleigh Dickinson, but were swept by Army. Boston College (1-3), meanwhile, beat Quinnipiac, but dropped matchups to Holy Cross, Fordham and Northeastern. The Panthers' Friday evening match with the host Crimson will be Harvard's season opener, while EIU will have already played earlier in the day against Bryant.

QUICK LOOK AT THE POTENTIAL PANTHER STARTERS
According to coach Price, the Panthers may be opening the season with the following potential starters (with 2009 final statistical numbers): 

#4-Chrissie Albers ... Jr ... Setter 6.88 aps 117 digs 16 blocks
#10-Jorie Dieter ... Sr ... Middle Blocker 1.64 kps 97 blocks (0.97 bps)
#8-Erin Hake ... Sr ... Right Side 1.65 kps 10 aces
#19-Amy Martin ... Fr ... Middle Hitter newcomer
#3-Kelsey Orr ... Sr ... Outside Hitter 2.10 kps 124 digs
#2-Brittany Wallace ... Jr ... Libero 525 digs (4.49 dps) 21 aces (0.15 aps)
#11-Alex Zwettler ... Sr ... Outside Hitter 3.29 kps 20 aces 355 digs (3.17 dps)

PANTHERS RETURN NINE LETTERWINNERS FROM 2009
Five seniors, two juniors and a couple of sophomores return from last season's squad that more than doubled the previous squads win total. Seniors include setter Kylie Cavanah; middle blocker Jorie Dieter; and outside hitters Erin Hake, Kelsey Orr, and Alex Zwettler. Setter Chrissie Albers and libero Brittany Wallace are the two juniors and middle hitters Stephanie Arnold and Alison Berens are the two of the four sophomore members of the squad.

SEVEN NEWCOMERS LOOK TO MAKE IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Two sophomore transfers and five true freshmen joined the Panthers this fall and will be called upon to make an immediate impact to the squad's success this season. Transfers include Katherine Gosewisch and Emily Franklin who spent their freshmen seasons as outside hitters at Robert Morris (Chicago) and Stephen F. Austin, respectively. The five freshmen include former prepsters Kelsey Brooke, Kaitlyn Frantz and Reynae Hutchinson as outside hitters, while Amy Martin and Lindsey Sturm play at the middle blocker and defensive specialist positions.

PANTHERS PICKED EIGHTH IN OVC PRESEASON POLL
After capturing an eighth place finish in 2009, the Panthers have been tabbed to finish in the same spot in 2010 following preseason voting by league head coaches and Sports Information Directors. Morehead State earned 11 first-place votes and are expected to capture the regular-season crown, followed by last season's winner Jacksonville State with nine first-place votes. Murray State, Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee Tech were picked in the upper half of the conference standings, with Austin Peay and Southeast Missouri are just ahead of the Panthers. 

.... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID