RICHMOND, Ky. - After getting one in the win column last weekend, the Eastern Kentucky University volleyball team will return home with hopes of putting together a streak. The Colonels will host Tennessee-Martin in a 7:00 p.m. match on Friday before returning to Alumni Coliseum to take on Murray State at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.

"Both Murray State and Martin have new coaches," said Eastern head coach Lori Duncan. "The win last weekend should take some pressure off the kids."

The Colonels began last weekend as they have much of this season, with a loss to Austin Peay. APSU defeated Eastern in three straight, 7-15, 2-15, 7-15. But, the team bounced back to collect its first win of the 1998 season, beating Tennessee State in four games, 15-11, 12-15, 15-6, 15-7. A solid offensive effort, by nearly the entire team, led the Colonels to victory.

Seven players hit over .333 in the match, led by freshman middle hitter Katie Lyon who hit .474. Lyon recorded 10 kills on 19 attempts with only one error. She also added two assists, five digs and two block assists.

Two sophomore outside hitters helped EKU to the win. Mary Lee Keranko added 28 kills, 66 attempts, four errors (.364), three assists, two service aces and 10 digs, while Courtney Bowen recorded 23 kills on 47 attempts with seven errors (.340), one assist, one service ace, one block assist and 13 digs.

The freshmen even got into the action. Setter Sharon Moreno recorded nine kills on 19 attempts with two errors (.368), 48 assists, two service aces, five block assists and led the team with 14 digs. Middle hitter Courtney Huyser added six kills on 15 attempts with one error (.333) with one assist, six digs, three block solos and four block assists.

As a team, the Colonels recorded 72 assists and 81 kills, both third-best performances in school history.

Eastern had to overcome 25 service errors in the win over Tennessee State.

"In game one," said Duncan, "our kids looked like they had the weight of the world on their shoulders. They saw this as a potential win. They were so focused on not making a mistake, that they made mistakes on the service. Of all the skills, serving is the most mental and focused. Everyone can serve well on this team, so for everyone to miss, that is an inexperienced team.

"This leads me to believe that we are starting to play good, hard volleyball. We won't evaluate this season on wins and loses, this year. In the future that is how we will evaluate ourselves, but not now."

The Colonels are now 1-8 overall and 1-3 in the OVC.

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