OTAHKS BRACE FOR EASTERN

Even though Southeast Missouri State University's volleyball team has routed every Ohio Valley Conference opponent so far this season, coach Cindy Gannon has said all along that she believes the Otahkians will end up having some tough league matches.

And Gannon figures tonight could be one of those times as the Otahkians visit Charleston, Ill., for a key conference matchup with Eastern Illinois. Action is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

The Otahkians, seeking their eighth OVC title in just their 10th season in the league, are 7-0 in conference play. The Lady Panthers are 7-1, the lone loss being a lopsided, straight-set setback at the hands of Southeast in Cape Girardeau last month.

"This is a very important match for us," said Gannon, whose squad has an 11-8 overall record. "Even though we haven't had any tough (OVC) matches so far, I know the other teams are going to keep improving and I expect a very tough match when we go to Eastern Illinois."

Following tonight's match, the Otahkians will have some time off before visiting Tennessee-Martin on Oct. 20.

Soccer at home Friday

Southeast's women's soccer team will get to test itself against the best the OVC has to offer when defending champion and current leader Eastern Illinois visits Houck Stadium for a 7 p.m. match Friday.

The Otahkians, 6-4-1 overall, are 1-2 in league play. The Lady Panthers are 10-3-1 overall and 3-0 in the OVC.

Southeast freshman Erika Todd ranks first in the OVC in scoring and goals while junior Nichole Thiele is fifth in scoring and fourth in goals.

Arteme honored again

Southeast cross country standout Amy Arteme has won her third OVC Runner of the Week award.

A product of Kelly High School, the junior placed third at last weekend's Saluki Invitational in Carbondale, Ill. In five races so far this season, Arteme has finished no worse than fourth in any of them.