NEWCOMER ASSISTS OTAHKS IN OPENING SEASON WITH A WIN

Henken makes smooth transition into Southeast's lineup in four-set win over SLU.

There is no doubt considerable pressure in trying to replace Tuba Meto, one of the premier volleyball players in Southeast Missouri State University history.

But if Tuesday night's season-opening match is any indication, then Amy Henken should be up to the challenge.

Henken, a junior transfer from Indiana State, opened plenty of eyes with 67 assists, six kills and eight digs as the Otahkians downed Saint Louis University 15-11, 16-14, 11-15, 15-11 in front of 635 enthusiastic fans at steamy Houck Field House. She was named the Southwestern Bell Wireless Player of the Game.

Meto, a setter, completed her eligibility at Southeast in 1997 after being twice named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year.

Since the record-setting Meto was the only starter lost from last year's Southeast squad that won its fifth straight OVC title, plenty of attention is being focused on how Henken can fill the void.

And she admitted she was nervous at the start of Tuesday's match.

"I was very nervous. I didn't even think before the match," said a laughing Henken, who was a record-setting setter in her own right at Indiana State. "But once we got flowing, everybody got relaxed."

Henken said a talk she had with Meto upon arriving at Southeast helped her immensely.

"Coming here, I didn't know who Tuba was," she said. "Once I got here, she talked to me. She told me `if you hear about Tuba, tell them Tuba is gone.' She really helped me."

Added Henken, "I just want to do what's best for the team. We still have a lot we can improve on, but I think we'll be fine."

Southeast coach Cindy Gannon knows that Henken will be fine.

"All summer long I heard `what are you going to do without Tuba,' " related Gannon with a smile. "Well, I think Amy showed what she can do."

Plenty of other Otahkians showed Tuesday night what they can do as well.

Krista Haukap had 22 kills and 15 digs while Lea Beckemeyer -- a transfer from Clemson -- added 20 kills.

Angie Aschoff had 14 kills and 14 digs while Jackie Derwort contributed 10 kills and 22 digs.

"Lea, our other transfer, really hit some balls and everybody returning from last year also did very well," Gannon said. "We have some things to work on, but we've also got a lot to build on. We're going to win a lot of volleyball matches."

Laura Risley led SLU with 22 kills.

After Southeast won the first two games, it looked like the Otahkians would close things out in three. But SLU rallied from an 8-3 deficit to force a fourth game.

"We've built a good, fun rivalry with Saint Louis," said Gannon. "And it's always fun to win the first match."

The Otahkians will compete in the Illini Classic in Champaign, Ill., this weekend.