2010 Volleyball Team & Class Photos

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Nearly stopping traffic in front of 'Old Main' at 7th and Lincoln, Eastern Illinois volleyball was all smiles as they donned their brand new match uniforms and gathered to take the official 2010 individual, class, and team photos on Thursday morning.  Click above link to view those pictures. 

Under first year head coach Kate Price, joined by new assistant coach Ryan Sweitzer, the Panthers are in the midst of their annual preseason practice which began in earnest this month.

Additionally, the official team captains have been announced for the 2010 campaign.  Set to lead the squad this fall with junior libero Brittany Wallace joining senior outside hitters Kelsey Orr and Alex Zwettler.

Eastern added seven new faces, five freshmen and two sophomore transfers, to the roster this year as each dressed up in their Panther uniform for the first time.  The two transfers are -- Emily Franklin (Oregon, Wisc.) from Stephen F. Austin and Katherine Gosewisch (Woodridge) via Robert Morris (Chicago).  The five true freshmen include -- Kelsey Brooke (Peoria), Kaitlyn Frantz (Holly, Mich.), Amy Martin (Oakwood), Lindsey Sturm (Normal, Ill.) and local product Reynae Hutchinson (Mattoon).

The seven newbees join nine returning letterwinners -- seniors Kylie Cavanah (Galesburg), Jorie Dieter (Joliet), Erin Hake (Marion, Iowa), Kelsey Orr (Forest, Ind.), and preseason All-OVC honoree Alex Zwettler (Madison, Wisc.); juniors Chrissie Albers (Springfield) and Brittany Wallace (Trenton), and sophomores Stephanie Arnold (Oregon, Wisc.) and Alison Berens (O'Fallon).

The Panthers officially open the season the first weekend of September with three consecutive weekend road tournaments, traveling for the Harvard (9/3-4), Michigan State (9/10-11), and Pitt (9/17-18) Invitationals.

EIU will then take on one of three non-conference matchups prior to competing in a full 18-match home and away round-robin Ohio Valley Conference slate, with the ultimate goal of reaching the six-team, end-of-season OVC Tournament in November.

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