RICHMOND, Ky. - The Eastern Kentucky University volleyball team will travel to Morgantown, WV, to participate in a four-team tournament hosted by West Virginia University. Eastern will open against Towson on Friday, September 4, at 5:00 p.m. On Saturday, the Colonels will begin the day versus James Madison at 12:30 p.m., and then take on host West Virginia in a 3:30 p.m. contest.

"This is a great thing for us," said Eastern head coach Lori Duncan. "A lot of girls will get playing time and we will get as many in game competition as possible. Our staff will get to see kids in different situations.

"We will play some teams that will play a little quicker pace than Evansville," continued Duncan. "Evansville was somewhat slow, not that we are a fast-paced team, but sometimes, when a play develops quickly, the defense can read and react to it better."

The Colonels will take to the road following a season opening loss to Evansville last Tuesday. The Purple Aces defeated Eastern in three straight matches, 15-10, 15-10 and 15-7.

"We made some fundamental errors, but you expect that with as many freshmen and sophomores as we have," continued Duncan.

Of those young players, three played well in the opener. Sophomore outside hitter Courtney Bowen, a native of Pittsburgh, PA, recorded 12 kills and 10 digs, sophomore setter Mary Lee Keranko, a native of Washington, PA, dished out 21 assists to go along with nine kills and seven digs and freshman setter/right side hitter Sharon Moreno, from Pittsburgh, PA, added 10 assists and five kills.

Duncan was able to find positives in the loss.

"Of the things we did well, we showed a lot of enthusiasm and the kids played hard," said Duncan. "We need to build on that."

With such a young team, Duncan understands that there will be period of growing pains as the team learns to play together.

"We are not yet able to look across the court and know what to expect and adjust to that," said Duncan. "We are not that sophisticated yet, but it will happen."

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