OTAHKS OPEN '99 VOLLEYBALL SEASON TODAY

Southeast Missouri State University's volleyball team will open the 1999 season with a bang tonight.

The Otahkians, who play virtually all of their matches at Houck Field House, will make a rare appearance at the Show Me Center when Arkansas State visits. Action is scheduled to begin at 7 o'clock.

"It's a great way to start off the season," said Southeast coach Cindy Gannon Tuesday afternoon as her team worked out in the Show Me Center. "It's exciting, a wonderful step for our program. We thank the Show Me Center for letting us play here."

Said senior Angie Aschoff, "It's really exciting (to play in the Show Me Center). Just walking in here, it was overwhelming. I can't imagine what it's going to be like to play here. Hopefully we'll have a really big crowd."

The Otahkians have never before played a regular-season match in the Show Me Center, although they had an exhibition there in 1993. The building will seat about 2,500 for tonight's contest, with a curtain blocking off a major portion of the arena.

While the Otahkians are excited to play in the Show Me Center, they certainly enjoy the cozy confines of Houck Field House, where all their other home matches will be held.

Southeast has had tremendous success over the years at Houck and a terrific home-court advantage has helped the Otahkians dominate Ohio Valley Conference volleyball during the 1990s.

The Otahkians have won six of the past eight OVC titles. They `slumped' to third place last year but went on to capture the league tournament championship and earn a berth in the NCAA tourney.

With virtually their entire lineup returning from last season, the Otahkians are solid favorites to capture their seventh OVC crown since joining the league in 1991.

"Our team is ready to accept the challenge of being picked first in the conference," said Gannon, referring to a recent preseason poll of the league's head coaches. "This team is very committed and we have one of the greatest groups of players we've had here.

"I expect great things from this group. Hopefully we can win a conference championship, and one of our goals is to win a first-round NCAA Tournament match."

The Otahkians, 24-12 in 1998, will be relying heavily on seven players who all saw some starting action a year ago.

Five full-time starters return in middle blocker Aschoff, senior outside hitter Jackie Derwort, senior setter Amy Henken, junior outside hitter Krista Haukap and junior outside hitter Lea Beckemeyer.

Aschoff earned first-team all-OVC honors last season as she led the league in hitting percentage. Derwort, Haukap and Henken all made the all-OVC second squad. Derwort and Haukap also made the OVC All-Tournament team, with Derwort grabbing MVP honors.

Derwort, Aschoff and Haukap are all virtual locks to join the coveted 1,000-kill club this season, Derwort likely reaching that milestone early tonight as she is just one kill away. Aschoff needs 31 kills while Haukap needs 59.

"I think this is going to be our best year yet," said Derwort. "We have just about everybody back and we're working hard."

Junior Rachelle Knapp and sophomore Lori Lange are the other two returning players as they shared time at the middle blocker position last year.

While Gannon expects her seven returnees to be strong, she is also looking for good things from her four freshmen: Brenna Harper, Emily Johnson, Emily Wahlman and Bobbi Carlile.

"We've added four fantastic freshmen," Gannon said.

Gannon has been pleased with preseason workouts and she said it's about time to play a real match. She figures the Otahkians will be severely tested tonight by an Arkansas State squad that went 23-11 and won the Sun Belt Conference title in 1998.

"It seems like it goes five games every time we play Arkansas State and I expect the same thing this time," said Gannon. "We're looking forward to it. We're ready to play."

After tonight's match, the Otahkians will compete in the tough Colorado State Tournament Friday through Sunday.

SEMO Volleyball

1999 Schedule

(Home matches in capital letters)

SEPTEMBER

1 -- ARKANSAS STATE, 7 p.m.; 3-4-5 -- at Colorado State Tournament; 10-11 -- at Missouri Tournament; 14 -- at St. Louis, 7 p.m.; 17-18 -- at Kentucky Tournament; 24 -- at Austin Peay, 7 p.m.; 25 -- at Tennessee State, 1 p.m.; 28 -- TENNESSEE-MARTIN, 7 p.m.

OCTOBER

1 -- EASTERN KENTUCKY, 7 p.m.; 2 -- MOREHEAD STATE, 1 p.m.; 5 -- at Southern Illinois, 7 p.m.; 12 -- at Eastern Illinois, 7 p.m.; 15 -- at Murray State, 7 p.m.; 16 -- at Tennessee-Martin, noon; 22 -- MIDDLE TENNESSEE, 7 p.m.; 23 -- TENNESSEE TECH, 7 p.m.; 26 -- AUSTIN PEAY, 7 p.m.; 27 -- ARKANSAS, 6 p.m.; 29 -- at Morehead State, 6 p.m.; 30 -- at Eastern Kentucky, 1 p.m.

NOVEMBER

2 -- MURRAY STATE, 7 p.m.; 5 -- TENNESSEE STATE, 7 p.m.; 9 -- EASTERN ILLINOIS, 7 p.m.; 13 -- at Tennessee Tech, 5 p.m.; 14 -- at Middle Tennessee, 2 p.m.; 19-20 -- OVC Tournament, TBA