Otahks close season with loss to Murray St.

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Cindy Gannon's first losing season as coach of Southeast Missouri State University's volleyball team came to a close Thursday night with a three-game loss to Murray State in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.

The Otahkians (11-19, 10-6) split their regular season meetings with Murray State, sweeping the Racers at home and losing in five games Friday at Murray. Southeast started slow Thursday, losing the opening game 30-22. In games two and three the Otahkians kept it close, falling 30-28 and 30-27, respectively.

Second-team all-OVC senior Suzanne Gundlach had one of her best matches of the season with 20 kills and a .559 hitting percentage. Southeast's other two seniors also had strong final matches.

Sarah Frost finished with 10 kills and nine digs. Southeast's senior setter Emily Scannell, second all-time in assists in the OVC, finished with 44 assists and nine digs.

Freshman Jessica Wilfong added 10 kills and Jill Miller led Southeast in digs with 11. Kimberly Bunnage led Murray State with 16 kills.

In the other opening round match Austin Peay swept Eastern Kentucky. Murray State will face second-seeded Jacksonville State in a semifinal Friday and Austin Peay will face No. 1 Morehead State in the other semifinal.

Tonight's winners will play in the championship game on Saturday.