RICHMOND, Ky. - Coach Lori Duncan's Eastern Kentucky University volleyball team is on a roll.

Wednesday night, the Colonels defeated Kentucky State, 15-0, 16-14, 15-6, marking the team's fourth straight win, upping Eastern's overall record to 8-12.

Also, with three conference wins under its belt, Eastern has also equaled its Ohio Valley Conference efforts from both the 1997 and 1998 seasons. Eastern's back-to-back wins over Tennessee Tech and Middle Tennessee last week marked the first time since the 1996 season an Eastern squad has posted consecutive wins over conference opponents. EKU now stands 3-5 in conference play.

Eastern opened this current winning streak last week with a non-conference win over Belmont (3-0), before beating Tech (3-2), MTSU (3-1) and Kentucky State (3-0).

During this home stretch, three Colonels have turned in career performances, as junior Courtney Bowen set her personal best in kills (27), attempts (68), and digs (24), while junior Kristen Campbell set new personal marks for kills (9), attempts (21) and block solos (3). Freshman Becky Galati recorded career highs in kills (21), service aces (3) and digs (21).

All three players received OVC honors as Eastern dominated the league's players of the week honors as Bowen was chosen Offensive Player of the Week, Campbell was picked as Defensive Player of the Week and Galati was named Freshman of the Week.

Head coach Lori Duncan knows the squad needed these wins.

"This past week the team turned a corner that really needed to be turned. However, I had tremendous faith that this would happen," Duncan said.

Part of this turnaround was credited to a change made in EKU's practice makeup.

"We have been working a lot on defense, playing three-on-three and six-on-four games within the entire court. This created a more relaxed environment, but still made the workout hold a lot of accountability," said Duncan.

Duncan went on to say that the team is still taking the season just one game at a time as it is preparing to go from this homestand to a match at Evansville, Oct.19.

Duncan said that the team could not have asked for more support from the staff and student body here at Eastern.

"It is important that everyone knows how much this support means for the team. The support from everyone here has become our 7^th player out on the court with us. It has made a world of difference for the team. Now, we are ready to play some exciting volleyball!", she added.