The team is led by senior Mandy Platt, who was named the Freedom Conference Volleyball Player of the Week on September 28. The 5'9" middle-hitter from Lebanon, PA, was named All-PAC 2nd Team and Conference Championship
Tournament MVP in 2006.  After an injury that prevented her from playing in 2007, Platt is making up for lost time. 

"Mandy is having the best season of her career, and she has been such an important part of this team," Head Coach Mark Birtwistle said. 

From an offensive standpoint, Courtney Reinhold (Adamstown, PA) and Kara Hildebrand (New Holland, PA), are leading the Eagles with 230 and 220 kills, respectively.  First-year student Maria Horning (Denver, PA) is running the
offense and leads the team in assists with 761. 

The Eagles' starting lineup, consisting of five first-year students, has been a powerhouse.  "The impact of the younger players has been so important to our success," Birtwistle said.  "We are coming off a rough 2007 season, and the roles that the younger girls have taken on have really impacted us and played a significant part in our turnaround."

Birtwistle, in his 19th season at the helm of the program, is in the top 15 most winning active coaches in NCAA Division III Volleyball.  In 2002 and 2005, Coach Birtwistle was honored by the AVCA as the Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of
the Year.

According to Birtwistle, there's no magical formula on this team- just hard work and determination.  "Our goal is really about working hard for each other and making sure we have a genuine team relationship," Birtwistle said. "We are putting in 100% every day and making sure to communicate, and our talents have come out.  Through this determination and team unity, we have been successful."

For more information, visit the Eastern University Athletics Web site at:
www.goeasterneagles.com.  For the full volleyball schedule, visit
http://www.goeasterneagles.com/index.php?sc=5&Itemid=214.