"Actually, they needed a setter," said Eckler. "They only had one freshman setter at the time and I think they are looking to build on a younger team."
Transy is coming off its best season. The Lady Pioneers posted a 15-16 regular-season record in 2007 and a 4-4 mark in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play, the most wins in a season for the program and the best winning percentage in league play.
The Pioneers will return five seniors next year, giving the team a good balance between experience and youth. Eckler is among 11 new players who will join the program in 2008.
"Coming off last season, everyone is excited about our prospects for success this fall," said Transy head coach Cindy Jacobelli, who is in her seventh season as coach. "We'll have lots of senior leadership to count on and the new players will improve our talent level and will have a chance to contribute right away."
"We've very excited to add Dustyn to our roster," she said.
No one is happier about Eckler's being on the roster than Eckler herself.
"I'm just excited about being a part of the team, having a little family at college," she said. "I've met the coach and she's extremely nice and the players seem friendly."
"I think one of the best things is that there is no stress to meet people when I get there," said Eckler. "We (volleyball team) have to be there on Aug. 17, two weeks before everyone else, and I'll already have people I know when I get there."
While Eckler's day to report is over a month and a half away, she's already preparing herself for the fall season.
"The coach sent me a workout packet that told me what I needed to do before reporting to college," she said. "I need to be quicker on my feet so I've been working out every day and running a lot."
"I think that, by the time we have to be there, I'll be in the condition they expect," said Eckler.
Conditioning is always tough but it's something Eckler feels she manages very well. She's hoping she can handle the challenge of balancing volleyball and college studies just as well.
"I think playing at college will be a big adjustment, but I think I will adjust well," said Eckler, who will be a pre-law and political science major. "I think I'll have to get used to managing my time between practice, games and studies. It may take a little time, but I think I will adjust. I just know I have to work hard."
A heavy day/light day course schedule should ease Eckler's concerns.
"I will have one class on Tuesday and Thursday, the days we play, and four classes Monday, Wednesday and Friday," Eckler said. "That will help me a lot because I won't have to worry about what I'm missing while I'm with the team."
