With the matches winding down for Eastern volleyball, it appears the team will miss post season play for the second straight year, but that doesn’t necessarily mean this season was a disappointment in the least.

Currently, Eastern stands in a three-way tie for seventh-place, with Samford and Tennessee Tech, two games behind sixth-place Murray State. The top six teams get a spot in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, and to get in Eastern would need to win out and have Murray State lose out to have a chance.

Even if the above happens, Samford and Tennessee Tech could prevent the Panthers from gaining the sixth seed if they too win out. In other words, lets look forward to next year.

Now, I have to admit earlier this season I believed Eastern could contend for the OVC crown. Regular readers may recall an early October column in which I wrote “the Panthers should be a key team in the OVC” or the fateful sentence “don’t be surprised if the Panthers make some noise in conference.”

Maybe I got caught up with a few consecutive wins the Panthers reeled off, or possibly it was just the “homer” in me thinking Eastern could win the OVC. That obviously isn’t going to happen this year. However, I see no reason the Panthers can’t return to the NCAA Tournament in 2004.

Sure my prediction for this season was way off, but liken the current Eastern volleyball squad to the 2002 Chicago Cubs. Those Cubs finished near the bottom of the standings, but you knew success was right around the corner with young players like Mark Prior, Carlos Zambrano and Corey Patterson.

If you look at the Panthers’ roster, there are only three upperclassmen and just one departing senior. The Panthers’ front line should be extremely capable with Shanna Ruxer occupying the middle and Erica Gerth and Mary Welch on the outside.

“The future of EIU volleyball looks good,” Panthers head coach Brenda Winkeler said. “We’re only losing one senior and we have a lot of talent returning.”

Gerth is some of that talent and is of course Miss Volleyball on this here campus. Besides being the most exciting player on the team she is also the best. Gerth leads Eastern with 440 kills and 48 service aces. This past season she collected her 1,000th career kill and set a school record with 39 digs in one match. Barring an injury, the junior will have a chance to rewrite the Eastern record books her senior season.

With Gerth receiving much of the attention, Ruxer has quietly had a successful campaign herself. Among regulars, she leads the team in hitting percentage (.254) and blocked shots with 20.

The junior is third on the team in kills at 218 and has been a great third scoring option this season.

But for the Panthers to truly be successful next season much pressure will fall on Welch. This season, the freshman has impressed many with her play including the person who counts the most – Winkeler.

“Mary has improved in every aspect of the game,” Winkeler said. “She’s raised her hitting percentage and has become a better blocker.”

Welch has put up above average numbers despite playing a position (left side) she is not accustomed too. Primarily a right outside hitter at Marian Catholic High School, Welch has adjusted to the left side and even the back row on defense because of team needs.

“I didn’t anticipate Welch would be playing the left side, but we had some weaknesses and had to put her there,” Winkeler said. “No matter where she plays Mary will always improve.”

Throw in fellow freshman Kara Sorenson (1.15 kills per game), sophomore Megan Kennedy (1.93 kills and .193 hitting percentage) and super-sub Aja Kohlbecker and the Panthers should be on the verge of a breakout season.

Hopefully, I can be granted a mulligan for my prediction this year. However, next year one won’t need a crystal ball to see the Panthers can “make some noise” or be “a key team in the OVC” next year.