COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL: OTAHKS BACK IN THE BRACKET

If it's possible to build on perfection, Southeast Missouri State University's volleyball team did just that Saturday at Houck Field House.

After cruising through the Ohio Valley Conference regular season with a 16-0 record, Southeast added the crowning jewel by defeating Tennessee-Martin 15-5, 15-3, 15-9 in the championship game of the OVC Tournament.

While capturing their third straight tournament championship, the Otahkians earned a return trip to the NCAA National Volleyball Tournament.

Southeast coach Cindy Gannon, speaking about her team's accomplishment, said, "We lost three seniors last year who started and were the backbone of our team, so for these kids to step up and replace them says a lot for the rich tradition we have built at Southeast and our ability to maintain that winning tradition."

These Otahkians didn't just win, they won convincingly. In 18 matches with conference opponents, including the tournament, Southeast swept 15 of those and lost a total of three games in going undefeated.

Southeast (22-8) set the tone early in the first set against the Skyhawks (21-6) .

Senior outside hitter Lea Beckemeyer, along with the other half of Southeast's "dynamic duo", senior outside hitter Krista Haukap, unleashed a power game for which Tennessee-Martin had no answers. Beckemeyer had three monster kills right out of the gate to put Southeast up 3-0 on the way to a 15-5 win. Beckemeyer finished with 20 kills, while Haukap had 23 for the day. Junior outside hitter Lori Lange led in digs with 12.

It was not just the Haukap-Beckemeyer show, however, as the entire team was relentless. The Otahkians were flying around, diving for loose balls and working hard to set up their big hitters.

Lady Skyhawk coach Chris Rushing acknowledged the dominance of Haukap and Beckemeyer, but said, "The whole Southeast team brought out their A' game. Yeah, their outsides put the ball away, but it was the rest of the team getting the digs and the blocks to help them out."

With all cylinders firing, the Otahkians romped to a 15-3 win in the second set, leaving them one win shy of the coveted crown.

With Southeast leading 11-9 in the final set, Haukap and Beckemeyer's leadership abilities came to the fore as they seemed to come up with big play after big play down the stretch.

Freshman Suzanne Gundlach ultimately served an ace for the final point.

"For my team, I think experience took over and my seniors were not about to be denied," said Gannon.

"We're glad that those outsides are now gone," said Rush, in an admiring tone. "They are women playing with a bunch of girls. Thankfully, we don't have to deal with them anymore."

Beckemeyer, voted the tournament MVP, was joined by Haukap and Southeast's freshman setter Emily Scannell on the all-tournament team. Other team members are Kim Blackwell (Eastern Illinois), Amy Walk (Austin Peay) and Rachel Ahlers and Lindsay Vicknair (Tennessee-Martin).

Looking forward to an NCAA appearance, Haukap said, "This is like my dream come true. What a fabulous way to end my senior year. But we have more to come, the fun's just starting."

Southeast will be assigned a first-round opponent next Sunday when the NCAA committee sets the bracket.