Charleston, Ill. - The Eastern Illinois volleyball team and Head Coach Julie Allen have announced the addition of six new members that will join the program for the 2019 season. The Panthers bring in Keelan Bell, Mackenzie Duvall, Sarah Paluch, Ireland Hieb, Joelle Laforce, and Kristen Jankowski.

"I am excited about the 2019 signees," said Coach Allen. "These six student-athletes speak to the needs of the program athletically, as well as what we are trying to build. This class is special because of the relationship I was able to cultivate with them over time and they are committed to the direction of the program. We graduated four amazing seniors, Taylor Smith, Anne Hughes, Abby Knight, and Gina Furlin and they will be greatly missed. EIU is an amazing place that provides student-athletes with the support, care, and tight-knit feel that other universities cannot. EIU is a special place. Welcome to the Panther Family!"
 
Keelan Bell
Bell is a 6'4'' middle blocker that attends Lake Community High School where she has won sectionals in 2016. This season Bell finished posting 120 kills with a 2.1 kills-per-set average. She also finished the season with a hitting percentage of .280. Bell also combined for 35 total blocks this season with a 0.6 blocks-per-set average.
 
Mackenzie Duvall
Duvall is a 6'2'' middle blocker that attends Parkway Central High School. Duvall has earned the honor of being named two the second team all-conference throughout her high school campaign. While in high school Duvall helped Parkway Central become conference champions and place second in sectionals. She is also a member of Team Momentum club volleyball.
 
Sarah Paluch
Paluch is a 5'6'' libero that attends Kennedy High School. Paluch contributed defensively to the Kennedy High School team that finished 27-8 overall and 7-2 in conference play during the 2018 season. Paluch is planning to major in Pre-Vet at EIU.
 
Ireland Hieb
Hieb is a 6'2'' is an outside hitter that attends Highland Park High School. Hieb has earned the honors of First Team All-conference in 2017 & 2016, First Team All-Area in 2017, CSL Conference Co-MVP in 2017, and Second Team All-Area in 2016. While at Highland Park, she has won the conference championship in 2017.
 
Joelle Laforce
As a senior at Lindsay Thurber High School, amassed 87 blocks, including 45 solo blocks and 186 kills at a .289.  As of now, the "Raiders" are again getting ready for Provincial Championship.  Last year, Laforce helped the school team to the Alberta Championship, where they collected gold. Laforce has also been selected for Team Alberta and Jr. National Team. She is interested in majoring in Dietetics.
 
Kristen Jankowski
Jankowski is a 6'1'' setter that attends Goodrich High School. During the 2018-19 season, Jankowski finished with 713 assists with a 5.9 assists-per-set average. Jankowski also added 143 kills to her resume in the 2018-19 season. During her career at Goodrich Jankowski finished with 63 aces also.