Nowacki expects better things in her second year

~ The Redhawks finished 16-16 last year.

Renata Nowacki's first season as the Southeast Missouri State volleyball coach went relatively well.

But Nowacki and the Redhawks are shooting for bigger things in 2006.

"Definitely," she said. "I'm very excited."

Southeast, which last year had the program's most successful season since 2002, opens the new campaign Friday with two matches at the Mississippi tournament, against the host squad and Pittsburgh. Two more matches are scheduled for Saturday, against Western Carolina and Arkansas-Little Rock.

The Redhawks went 16-16 overall in 2005, along with an 11-5 Ohio Valley Conference mark that placed them fifth in the 11-team league. Both records were Southeast's best since 2002, and the Redhawks reached the semifinals of the OVC tournament for the first time since 2002.

"Last year I was satisfied, it being my first year, but we didn't reach our goal of an OVC championship," said Nowacki, who prior to 2005 spent four seasons as a Southeast assistant and, at 28, is among the youngest head volleyball coaches in Division I. "There are other very good teams, but we absolutely have the talent to win the OVC."

Despite a relatively young roster that features only two seniors, the Redhawks -- picked fourth in the OVC preseason poll -- return plenty of experience.

Leading the way are those seniors, outside hitter Jessica Koeper and setter Jamie Baumstark. Both rank among the OVC's premier players.

Koeper, a Jackson High School product, made the all-OVC first team last year after being a second-team pick as a sophomore. In 2005, she led the OVC in kills with 493, while ranking fifth in the conference in kills per game (4.04) and points per game (4.41). She also had 422 digs to rank second on the team.

"I think we're going to do great things this year," Koeper said.

Jamie Baumstark was second-team all-OVC last year, when she ranked fifth in assists in conference matches (736). She finished the year with 1,317 assists and 64 service aces -- both team highs -- while adding 310 digs and 222 kills.

"I'm very excited. I think we're going to have a really good season," Baumstark said.

Said Nowacki: "The two seniors are phenomenal. They are our leaders."

Other returning starters are junior middle blocker Brenna Schlader, junior outside hitter Brittany Hastings and sophomore middle blocker Katrina Niemeyer.

Schlader was third on the squad with 278 kills and led with 123 blocks; Hastings was fourth with 240 kills; and Niemeyer added 149 kills.

Also back are three more letterwinners in junior defensive specialist Sirma Ozenir, sophomore setter Alyssa Aston and sophomore outside hitter Kim Unnerstall. Ozenir started 11 matches and had 202 digs.

Nowacki also is high on her five freshmen, with Molly Davis slated to start at the libero position. The other rookies are setter Sarah Barth, outside hitter Karleigh DeLong, libero Taylor Harbster and middle blocker Hannah Weis.

"All of our freshmen will see court time during our early tournaments," Nowacki said.

Southeast will play its first 12 matches on the road, with the Redhawks' first home action coming Sept. 20 against Bradley.