Otahks fall to 0-3 in conference play

Two Ohio Valley Conference volleyball teams headed in totally opposite directions hooked up Friday night -- and the squads kept going that way.

Eastern Illinois continued its strong start as the Panthers continued Southeast Missouri State University's struggles with a 31-29, 28-30, 30-23, 30-24 victory in front of more than 200 fans at Houck Field House.

The Panthers, picked to finish just seventh out of 11 OVC teams after a poor season last year, improved to 11-3 overall and 3-0 in conference play. All three of EIU's league wins have been away from home.

"I'm very happy with the way we've started," EIU coach Brenda Winkeler said. "To have three conference wins on the road already is big for us."

Southeast, the OVC's preseason No. 5 selection, fell to 1-12 and 0-3 in the conference. The Otahkians have not yet played an OVC team picked to finish higher than sixth.

"It's the same mistakes. Until we learn to fix that ... we just have to keep working, that's all I know," an obviously frustrated Southeast coach Cindy Gannon said. "I still believe we have the talent. I'm disappointed we can't get the job done."

The Otahkians appeared to have a golden opportunity to jump on top Friday as they led 29-27 in game one and needed just one more point to close out the victory. But the Panthers rallied to prevail 31-29.

Southeast regrouped and took game two 30-28, but EIU breezed 30-23 and 30-24 in the final two games to win going away.

"We showed glimpses tonight, but we can't close the door," Gannon said. "Eastern Illinois has a good team. If we beat them, that kind of win can get you on a roll."

Winkeler is pleased EIU has bounced back so far after going just 9-23 last year, including 6-10 in the OVC.

"We have a lot of depth, a lot of different contributors," Winkeler said. "Last year if people stopped Gerth, we were in trouble."

Senior outside hitter Erica Gerth, second in the OVC in kills, pounded home 23 of those against Southeast. Gerth had plenty of help as Megan Kennedy added 17 kills and Shanna Ruxer contributed 14.

Gerth also had 16 digs. Leading the Panthers in that department was Sarah Niedospial with 19. Maren Crabtree had 17 and Heather Redenbo 15. Crabtree recorded 60 assists.

The Otahkians were led by sophomore Jessica Koeper, a Jackson High School product, who hammered 25 kills. Jill Miller added 13 kills.

Leading the way in digs for Southeast were Miller with 18. Jamie Baumstark followed with 15, Lauren Scannell had 13 and Koeper added 11. Baumstark led in assists with 53.

"We just don't have the confidence right now and that comes with winning matches," Gannon said. "I've had teams before that started out slow but finished strong and we're just going to keep after it."

Southeast returns to action next Friday when Tennessee Tech visits for a 7 p.m. match.