Sophomore outside hitter Alex Zwettler will not play against rivals Morehead State and Eastern Kentucky because of an abdominal tear.

Eastern head coach Lori Bennett said Zwettler strained her abdominal muscle during the Panther Challenge and tore it while at last Tuesday’s practice. Zwettler competed in only one set during the Ole Miss Magnolia Classic.

“Alex is on a two week rest period of not working,” Bennett said. “If she does well this weekend, she can start basic core exercises to help.”

The outside hitter can return to action against conference foe Murray State next Tuesday but Bennett doesn’t want to rush Zwettler’s recovery.

“You have to be careful with an abdominal tear,” Bennett said. “It needs time to heal.”

Zwettler is leading the team in kills (74) and is second in digs (65).

Last winter, she underwent shoulder surgery.

Other injuries

Junior libero Shaina Boylan didn’t play this weekend because she is still recovering from tonsillitis.

Bennett said that Boylan would not compete this upcoming weekend.

“If everything goes well, she should start practicing with us middle of next week or that weekend,” Bennett said.

Freshman outside hitter Shannon Hullum will red-shirt this season because she must undergo shoulder surgery.

Lineup change

Freshman setter Hannah Deterding has been leading the Panthers’ offensive charge since Sept. 6 against Chicago State.

She replaces junior setter Lauren Schuette, who started the first five matches of the season.

“She right now is able to run our offensive at a faster speed,” Bennett said of Deterding. “Like any freshmen, she makes mistakes early, but she should learn quickly.”

Deterding has compiled 114 assists, second best to Schutte’s 127.

Wallace making mark

During Boylan’s illness, freshman libero Brittany Wallace has started the last six matches.

Wallace is leading the team with 92 digs. In the Ohio Valley Conference, the freshman is 10th in digs with an average of 3.41 digs per set.

The libero’s solid play is because of Eastern’s defensive system, she said.

“It is an effective system if you know how to play in it,” Wallace said. “No one else probably uses it.”

Wallace said Boylan has helped her learn how to play the position better in practice. When her teammate returns to health, Wallace said that they both have to continue to work hard in practice to earn playing time.

“I would love to keep playing but Shay is great,” Wallace said. “She has more experience.”

Tournament schedule ends

With the conclusion of the Ole Miss Magnolia Classic last weekend, the volleyball team ended its non-conference tournament schedule this season.

The Panthers will begin Ohio Valley Conference play at 7 p.m. Friday against rival Morehead State at Lantz Arena.

Senior libero Laura Welsh said that she enjoys both parts of the season but knows the value of tournament play.

“The thing I like about tournaments is there is one match in the morning and one in the afternoon,” Welsh said. “We can apply what we learned from the first match.”

Welsh said the pace of practices and preparing for matches is about the same between conference and tournament play.

Bob Bajek can be reached at 581-7944 or at [email protected].