Emily Scannell has played two seasons for Southeast Missouri State University's volleyball team. There is no question which has been more memorable.
"Two years ago was quite an experience," she said. "I knew all about Southeast's volleyball tradition and I got to be a big part of it right away."
That 2000 season was the year the Otahkians, in their fourth NCAA Division I Tournament appearance, won the program's first NCAA tournament match. And Scannell played a major role as the senior-dominated team's setter, winning the Ohio Valley Conference's Rookie of the Year award.
"I got to play on a team that was awesome in every aspect of the game," Scannell said.
But last season's experience was one Scannell didn't enjoy as much. Even though the Otahkians extended their string of winning seasons to 21, they barely did it.
The Otahkians' 15-14 record last year featured a 10-6, fourth-place OVC finish, marking the first time they finished out of the top three since joining the league in 1991. Southeast had won seven of the previous nine OVC championships.
"Last year was a learning experience for us," Scannell said. "We had lost a lot of senior leadership and we didn't really accomplish what we wanted."
Scannell, however, has no doubt the Otahkians will get back on track this season, which begins today with a 4 p.m. match against Arkansas in the Southwest Missouri State Tournament.
"I think last year was just a bump in the road, a one-year thing," she said. "This year we've got a lot of experience coming back and we know what it takes. We want to prove to people that we're back."
If the Otahkians are going to return to the top of the OVC, Scannell likely will play a big role. A second-team all-OVC selection last year, the junior is already fourth on the school's career assists list and could challenge for first before she is finished.
"Emily is on track to be one of the best setters we've had, and we've had some great ones," Southeast coach Cindy Gannon said.
Scannell is part of an experienced Southeast squad that returns every starter from last season.
Seniors Bobbi Carlile and Jessica Houpt joined Scannell on last year's all-OVC second team. Senior Emily Johnson made the OVC all-tournament squad and is, along with Scannell, one of two starters remaining from that powerhouse 2000 team.
"Last year was not something we were used to, but our confidence is real high," Carlile said. "We definitely expect to make big things happen this year."
Others who saw starting action last season are senior Emily Wahlman and juniors Suzanne Gundlach and Sarah Frost.
Carlile and Johnson ranked one-two last year in kills while Wahlman led in blocks.
"I think last year was just one of those years," Johnson said. "I think we're going to do really well this season."
So does Gannon, who has compiled a 324-163 record in 13 seasons with the Otahkians.
"Last year we took our lumps as a team but we grew as individuals," Gannon said. "I think we have a lot to look forward to."
Southeast volleyball at a glance
n Coaches: Cindy Gannon, 324-163 in 13 seasons at Southeast; assistants are Maile Parker (fifth year) and Renata Nowacki (second year)
n 2001 record: 15-14, 10-6 OVC (fourth place)
n 2001 honors: Bobbi Carlile, sr., all-OVC second team; Jessica Houpt, sr., all-OVC second team, OVC newcomer team; Emily Scannell, jr., all-OVC second team; Emily Johnson, sr., all-OVC tournament team.
n Returning: Carlile; Houpt, Scannell; Johnson; Emily Wahlman, sr.; Sarah Frost, jr.; Suzanne Gundlach, jr.
n Newcomers: Kristen Clark, fresh. (redshirt); Katie Markovich, fresh.; Jill Miller, fresh.; Jill Waltsak, fresh.
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