Otahkians sign five volleyball recruits

The Southeast Missouri State University volleyball team will go into the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament today with several new recruits lined up for next season.

The Otahkians, who play Austin Peay at 7 p.m. today at Martin, Tenn., signed five players to national letters of intent Wednesday, coach Cindy Gannon said.

The list includes three players from Missouri, one of them from Jackson: Jessica Koeper, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter from Jackson High School, is an all-district and all-region pick whose sister, Andrea, played basketball for the Otahkians.

The other signees:

Jamie Baumstark, a 5-10 setter from Hermann (Mo.) High School, is a three-time all-state pick and member of the St. Louis all-metro team. Her team won three state championships and she set a state tournament record last year for most assists.

Jessica Wilfong, a 6-foot middle blocker from Park Hills (Mo.) Central, is a four-year all-conference selection and two-time all-region player.

Melissa Friederick, a 6-1 middle blocker from Potosi (Wis.) High School, was a key in her team's state championship this season. She holds school records for blocks and assists and has a Wisconsin state tournament record for kills.

Danielle Pegram, a 6-foot middle blocker from Des Moines (Iowa) Grandview Park Baptist High School, helped her team win a state championship and was picked for the all-state tournament team. She has been an all-state pick for three years.