COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL: GATORS' JAWS CLAIM OTAHKS

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- One day after notching the program's first NCAA Division I Tournament victory, Southeast Missouri State University's volleyball team was brought back down to earth by powerful Florida, which is ranked 10th nationally.

The host Gators rolled past the Otahkians 15-1, 15-7, 15-5 Friday night in a second-round match. Florida (29-4) moves on to regional play next week as one of 16 teams remaining from the original NCAA field of 64.

Despite the setback, Southeast ends another sensational season with a 23-9 record. The Otahkians, competing in their fourth NCAA Tournament in five years, had beaten North Carolina in first-round play Thursday.

"I'm extremely proud of the team," said Southeast coach Cindy Gannon. "Making the second round, coming in and having the upset in the first, topped off a fantastic season.

"Florida's a great team and I wish them the best of luck when they move on to the next round."

Aury Cruz paced a balanced Florida offensive attack with 14 kills. Benavia Jenkins and Nicole McCray added 11 and 10 kills, respectively, as the Gators had a hitting percentage of an impressive .389.

Lea Beckemeyer led Southeast with 12 kills, but the Otahkians were kept under 40 kills as a team for only the third time this season as they finished with 36. Southeast had a hitting percentage of just .085.

Krista Haukap, the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year who had recorded a league-record 39 kills against North Carolina, was held to just four kills against the Gators.

"We felt like tonight we played very well against a really, really good team with two of the best outside hitters (Beckemeyer and Haukap) that have come into the O'Connell Center this year," said Florida coach Mary Wise.

Gannon realizes she will have a tough task next season replacing the Otahkians' three standout seniors: Haukap, Beckemeyer and Rachelle Knapp.

"I know I've got three people sitting here who have been the heart and soul of my program and I know they will be very hard to replace," Gannon said. "I would just like to express my thanks to them for all they have done."