The Ohio Valley Conference has released the predicted order of finish for the 2024 volleyball season along with the 2024 Preseason All-OVC Team and Players to Watch list. The Panthers were picked to finish second after winning the conference a season ago. 

Catalina Rochaix was named to the preseason all-conference team. The junior was named OVC Setter of the Year a season ago after leading the league in assists (1279) and assists per set (11.03). She appeared and started in 31 matches, recording 40 or more assists in 16 matches, including six matches with at least 50 assists. Rochaix also posted eight assist-dig double-doubles on the season.

Kaitlyn Flynn was tabbed as EIU's player to watch. After being selected First-Team All-OVC as a sophomore, Flynn appeared in 31 matches with 29 starts during the 2023 season. She was third on the team in kills with a season total of 282 for an average of 2.54 kills per set, while her 752 attack attempts were also third on the team. Flynn reached double-digit kills in 15 matches and had 33 total blocks, including nine solo efforts.

Southeast Missouri was picked to finish first in the conference with 167 total points and six first-place votes, narrowly edging out the Panthers who were selected second with 166 total points and five first-place votes.

Morehead State was predicted to finish third, while Tennessee Tech and Lindenwood rounded out the top five. They were followed in order by Southern Indiana, UT Martin, SIUE, Western Illinois, Little Rock, and Tennessee State.

Eastern is slated to take on Illinois State in an exhibition match this Saturday at 4 p.m. inside Groniger Arena. The Panthers will open up regular season play the following week with a home match against Marquette on Saturday, August 30th at 6 p.m.
 
2024 OVC Volleyball Predicted Order of Finish
1. Southeast Missouri (6) - 167
2. Eastern Illinois (5) - 166
3. Morehead State (5) - 163
4. Tennessee Tech (4) - 152
5. Lindenwood (1) - 145
6. Southern Indiana - 97
7. UT Martin - 84
8. SIUE (1) - 83
9. Western Illinois - 74
10. Little Rock – 51
11. Tennessee State – 29
 
2024 Preseason All-OVC Team
Lucy Arndt, Southeast Missouri
Keyana Cruse, Western Illinois
M.E. Hargan, Morehead State
Madolyn Isringhausen, Tennessee Tech
Jordan Karlen, Tennessee Tech
Catalina Rochaix, Eastern Illinois
Jessie Seidel, Lindenwood
Nyah Wilson, Lindenwood
Irene Wogenstahl, Morehead State 

2024 OVC Players to Watch
Kaitlyn Flynn, Eastern Illinois
Allie Otten, Lindenwood
Bella Cherry, Soph, Little Rock
Peighton Isley, Morehead State
Sydney Hummert, SIUE
Abby Johnson, Southeast Missouri
Bianca Anderson, Southern Indiana
Sagaia Reilly, Tennessee State
Mallory Jenkins, Tennessee Tech
Dylan Mott, UT Martin
Maggie Craker, Western Illinois